Come in, please: meet the emperor (reprisal).

Comnenian portraits in Nerezi

Oct 16, 2025

North-west view of the naos of St. Panteleimon of Nerezi

Beautiful porphyrogenite Theodora, last but not least daughter of Alexios I Komnenos and Irene Doukaina, produced two masterpieces during her lifetime.

The first one was marring the man she loved and she chose, charming Konstantinos Angelos, not particularly appreciated by her parents.

The second masterpiece was building in 1164, together with her son Alexios Angelos Komnenos, the breathtaking Church monastery of St. Panteleimon in Nerezi, a ward to Skopje on the nearby mountains.

Almost a century ago Nikolai Lvovich Okunev ventured to recover under a layer of later frescoes the original cycle ordered by Theodora and by her son Alexios. Enjoy some shots I was able to take.

Deposition above, Hymnographers in the lower register.

Nativity of the Theotokos and St. Joachim and St, Anne Meeting at the Golden Gate.

Unfortunately, we have no images of the volitive as much as fair porphyrogenite. Still, we can assume Alexios Angelos Komnenos pleased, if not eager, to display the so many heroes nesting in his genealogical tree, exactly as his accomplished uncle, the porphyrogenite Isaakios, before him in the Church monastery of Kosmosotira in Feres he built.

Comnenian heroes lend their features to the warrior saints depicted in Feres. Entering the naos you’ll be benevolently watched by four powerful champions identified with Alexios I and his offsprings. From the northern wall St. Theodore Tiron will look upon you (Alexios himself) together with St. Prokopios (porphyrogenite Andronicos, third son Alexios, if not Isaakios’ homonymous son).

Meet Alexios I Komnenos as St. Theodore Tiron. This is our dear family snap; you will find very good professional photos at https://smavrommatis.com/portfolios/sculpture/itemlist/category/72-panagia-kosmosoteira

From the southern wall St. Theodore Stratelates (John II Komnenos - according to most of the main scholars -first born and successor to Alexios) and St. Merkourios (Isaakios porphyrogenite himself) [1].

In the naos of St. Panteleimon of Nerezi you will be greeted on the right and on the left walls by two triads of warrior saints [2].

Alas, the first warrior saint by north est! As I set my eyes upon his stunning features and imperial glances, I did easily recognize Alexios I himself, disguised as Theodore Tiron encore, the usual one he did as in Feres.

On his right I gazed upon John II’s regular traits he inherited from his beautiful mother. Such as in Feres he will gently look at you in the shoes of Theodore Stratelates.