Architecture and Decoration

Agios Georgios of the Greeks is a single-aisled church with a dome of Renaissance style. It was founded in 1539 and completed almost 40 years later. The architects of the church were initially Sante Lombarto and then Zuantantantonio Chiona.

Above the main gate of the church, the dedicatory inscription of the Greeks, dated 1564, is preserved. According to the inscription, the church was dedicated to Christ the Saviour and the Great Martyr St. George by the Greeks who had settled in Venice (the metics), and by the other Greeks who kept arriving there (the ever-conquering Venetians of the Greeks).

CHRIST THE SAVIOUR AND THE HOLY MARTYRS GEORGIO THE SHARERS AND THE EVER STORMING ENETIAZE OF THE GREEKS AS IT WAS DONE BY THE FATHERS OF THE GODS, WHO, HAVING HONOURED THE SANCTUARY, WERE ANOINTED BY THE GODS.

In the period 1587-1603 the bell tower of the church was built under the supervision of the architect Bernando Ongarin, thanks to the donation of the shipowner Iakovos Samariaris. The special feature of this bell tower is its inclination, which started from its construction. This inclination has often caused concern to local residents, but all structural studies have been conclusive. Almost half a millennium later, it continues to be stable.

In the dry Venice, where the minimum water was unfit for drinking and cooking, at least 600 wells survive today. Venice's wells are different from those found in the rest of the world since the water does not come from the water table, but from the collection and filtration of rainwater. In the campo dei greci there are two wells, on which we find carved St. George on horseback slaying the dragon, St. Nicholas, and the coat of arms of a large Venetian family.

Entering the church, the visitor's gaze is captivated by the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, a mosaic by Gianantonio Marini, a work of 1902.

The brotherhood, upon completion of the construction of the church, invited the leading Cretan hagiographer Michael Damaskinos, who created the largest part of the iconostasis, to Venice. The Nativity is painted according to the type of the Cretan School. The vivid colours and strong contrasts give plasticity to the figures and bring the subject to life. The work is painted on fabric on wood. Image of the Nativity of Christ.

The hagiographer Michael Damascene in the work of Baptism, with its bright surfaces and soft colours, gives lightness to Christ and the Baptist, neutralizes the weight of the rocks and waters, personifies the Jordan and prefers five rather than three angels. The work is painted on cloth on wood.

To the left of the iconostasis is the Byzantine icon of Christ Pantocrator. The icon has been decorating the iconostasis of St. George since the beginning of the 17th century. It was brought from Constantinople by the Grand Duchess Anna Paleologina Notara, who donated it to the Greek community. The icon was admired, among others, by Goethe and the writer André Malraux, who wrote that it was one of the most beautiful Byzantine creations he had seen in his life.

To the right of the church, in the mosaic of the Transfiguration of Christ, full of decorations, the figures are depicted in a naturalistic atmosphere. It is a work of the 17th century.

To the left of the church, there is a mosaic of 1886, made by Venetian mosaicists. The small icon of the Venetian Emporium, located on the inner side of the iconostasis, was used as a model.

In the picture, the horseman St George kills the dragon. The hand of God blessing is depicted at the top right. At the bottom we have 4 miniatures from the life of the saint: first we see the saint in front of King Diocletian, then towards martyrdom, followed by torture and beheading.

The cross, in the centre of the iconostasis, is crafted with margarine and worked turtle bone. The crucifix is painted on wood.On the back there is an inscription "Deesis Michael Peroudis".

The icon is a tribute to the brothers John and George Manesis, who were Greek stradioti, that is, mounted mercenary soldiers in the service of Venice. Both brothers are depicted at the bottom, in their battle gear and on their proud horses. Behind them we see a landscape of the Venice lagoon with low hills, towers and castles. The icon was dedicated on April 21, 1546, the feast day of St. George. The depiction of the Deesis follows Orthodox iconography, while the landscape, the horses and the two brothers are rendered in the manner of Venetian painting.

The ambon is the work of Giovanni Grapiglia. To get up, one enters through the fourth stand of the wall, which turns into a door and leads to it by a staircase embedded in the wall. Many Greek scholars have preached from here.

The frescoes on the dome were painted by John of Cyprus, under the supervision of the Venetian painter Jacopo Tintoretto. It is a representation of the Second Coming of Christ. In the centre, the All-Holy Judge blesses with both hands. This is followed in the 1st zone by the preparation of the Throne and the Great Liturgy, in the 2nd zone by the 12 Apostles on thrones and Angels, and in the 3rd zone by 16 prophets with scrolls.