Let’s take a closer look at the frescoes form the main entrance, with its two large pillars at each side. It is dedicated to Agios Konstantinos and his wife Eleni. Most paintings are badly damaged. The style of painting is not Greek, it has Russian influences.

B7 is the open cisterne (with many fish!) and Delta 2 is the gate keeper’s place. The clock tower is right above the entrance. When entering at “Ipsylon” there is an open space towards B7, so there are no frescoes. When you look to the right you see this:

Behind the metal equipment you can see Prophet David.

Above the gate keepers place you will find this scene, here in detail:

The text is difficult to read: “?..portari D..?mei eleim synin”. I see a monk giving bread to a man and lady (paesants?), both dressed with hats, (one red, Turkish?) and the clothes maybe date from the beginning of the last century?

Two soldiers, above the right figure you read: ODKS Gedeon and the left figure ODKS Hisous Tou Nayn of p.

The main gate and doors: the man in blue to the right wears a crown, so this might be Konstantinos.

Above the door a large scene with the text: I Analiphis tou Christou”, with Christ in heaven surrounded by angels and the Holy Virgin  looking up to Christ, with another Holy Woman, surrounded by ten Holy Men, in a garden.

The ceiling with many prophets like Ilias, Zacharias, Ellisaios. Aaron, David and King Solomon are to be seen in the arch. In the middle an image of Theon, God, here in detail:

“Anarchos pa tir.”

Wim, 24/6

(next time we end this visit to Esfigmenou with images from the courtyard)