astragali,
quorum duo teretes, supremus quadratus velut regula. Supra fasciam,
denticuli; supra denticulos, folia Corinthia. Denique marmor sic
mensulis distinguitur ut in commissuris eluceat labor Corinthicus. Sed
is plenior apparet in aede Sophiae.

[537] Cf. description by Gyllius, _De top. C.P._ iv. c. 4.

[538] [Greek: deute pros me pantes hoi kopiontes kai pephortismenoi
kago]....--Matt. xi. 28.

[539] For the description of these vaults see p. 22.

[540] Schmitt (_op. cit._ pp. 92-94) maintains that the parecclesion
was originally the refectory of the monastery. But a refectory there
would occupy a very unusual position. Nor do the frescoes on the walls
of the parecclesion correspond to the decoration of the refectory with
representations of flowers and of Christ's miracles, as described by
Theodore Metochites: ... [Greek: kekosmeatai anthesi poikiloi i te
poulychrouoisi te baphon ... kai te diaperes apegeatai mysteria
thoymata Christou].

[541] F. W. Hasluck. Bithynica, _B.S.A. Annual XIII._, 1906-7.

CHAPTER XXIV

THE MOSAICS IN S. SAVIOUR IN THE CHORA

As stated already, the mosaics on the vaults and lunettes of the
arches in the outer narthex of the church portray scenes from the life
of Christ, as recorded in the canonical and the apocryphal Gospels,
while on the faces and soffits of the arches are depicted the figures
of saints 'who desired to look into these things.' Scenes from the
Saviour's life are also portrayed in the two bays to the west of the
parecclesion, and in the domes and southern bay of the inner narthex.
Inscriptions on the mosaics explain the subjects depicted. The scenes
will be described according to the groups they form in the
compartments of the narthex.

[Illustration: FIG. 114.--PLAN OF THE NARTHEXES OF THE CHURCH,
INDICATING POSITION OF THEIR MOSAICS.]

[Illustration: PLATE XC.
(1) S. SAVIOUR IN THE CHORA. MOSAIC REPRESENTING THE MIRACLE OF WATER
TURNED INTO WINE. THE DATE 6811 (A.D. 1303), IN ARABIC NUMERALS, IS
ABOVE THE LAST FIGURE ON THE RIGHT.
_Sebah and Joaillier._
(2) S. SAVIOUR IN THE CHORA. MOSAIC REPRESENTING THE CARESSING OF MARY
BY HER PARENTS, AND THE BLESSING OF MARY BY PRIESTS AT A BANQUET.
_To face page 322._]

OUTER NARTHEX

_First Bay (at the north end)._

1. In the northern lunette.--The angel announcing to Joseph,
in a dream, the birth of Jesus. To the right, journey of
Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem. S