Revisiting the Veljusa Frescoes: Notes on the Iconographic Program of the South Parekklesion

Abstract

The paper discusses the iconographic program of the frescoes in the south parekklesion of the Church of the Virgin Eleousa at the Veljusa Monastery, the foundation of Manuel, Bishop of Strumitza, built in 1080. It focuses on the figure of St. Niphon or, more specifically, the cult and iconography of this saint, whose representations in art are quite uncommon. It considers several images of St. Niphon in Serbian medieval painting that previous research has failed to take into account. Then, it reexamines the view that this saint was the patron of the chapel, especially the claim that one of his visions was painted in the apse.