Inauguration of the Church / The opening of the doors of the church of the Dormition of the Theotokos was celebrated with particular splendor, in Apidea Laconia, an extremely important monument for Byzantine architecture, as informed by today's announcement of the Ministry of the Interior. The project started on 2020, with its inclusion in the Regional Operational Program of Peloponnese- NSRF 2014-2020, on a budget 1.035.400 euro.
In her greeting, Lina Mendoni referred to "the importance of Apidia, one of the most important cities of Byzantine Laconia, in which many important monuments are located. The temple of the Dormition of the Virgin, specimen of a rare type of "oriental" Basil, reveals not only the architectural wealth of the region, but also its political importance, in the years of the empire. For the Ministry of Culture's family, the restoration of a monument and its benefits to the local community is an extremely joyful event. Probably not much, when the monument acquires its original use. Today, the temple of the Dormition of the Virgin, excellently restored, by the Directorate for the Restoration of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments and the Ephorate of Antiquities of Laconia, acquires its liturgical use and is assigned to the Church and to Orthodox worship. I want to thank the Regional Governor Panagiotis Nikas for our excellent cooperation all these years, the most venerable Metropolitan Mr. Efstathios and everyone, those who worked for the restoration of the temple: Engineers, archaeologists, craftsmen and workers, who are dedicated to the work of protection, of maintenance, of restoration, of highlighting our cultural stock, they perform great works. I would like to thank all of you, where your presence, today declare your love for the monument".
The ceremony was officiated by the Metropolitan of Monemvasia and Sparta Efstathios, in the presence of the Minister of State Makis Voridis, of Peloponnese Regional Governor Panagiotis Nikas and Mayor Evrotas, Municipality of Verdos.
The restoration project
I.N. of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary is built in the style of a three-bay vaulted Basilica. It is one of the most representative samples of this rhythm, in the entire Greek area. The building, reconstruction of an early Christian church of the 5th century, turned into a domed temple, during the Middle Byzantine period (10the century), while the interior decoration dates from the end of the 19th century. The carved wood part of the altarpiece is lined with gold leaf and rests on a marble sculpture, of the 13th century.
For the restoration of the temple, maintenance work was carried out on the old plasters, external fittings, research on the existence of wall paintings, removal of newer coatings and cleaning of joints, crack repair, repair of vault cracks, reinforcement-restoration-waterproofing and tiling of the wooden roof of the narthex, restoration of cracked ashlars of the north-west pess and installation of stainless steel clamping rings of cracked columns, restoration of Byzantine openings with handmade plinths, maintenance of marble members and chancel, IT facilities etc. The Ephorate of Antiquities of Laconia undertook the maintenance of the wood-carved part of the iconostasis, of the despotic throne and portable images.
The new findings
Important new findings were discovered during the work. These are two brick crosses, who were on either side of the episcopal throne, in the chorus (central niche), but also for the old brickwork of the relief arch, of the oldest western entrance gate. A 13th century fresco was found. on the west wall face, representing the Second Coming. After the necessary work to fix the painted surface, temporarily covered, in order to scientifically judge the process of its emergence.