Kariye Camii - Strolling Through Istanbul: The Classic Guide to the City - page 277

IV. The Cycle of the Infancy of Christ in the lunettes of

the outer narthex

V. The Cycle of Christ's Ministry in the vaults of the

outer narthex and the fourth bay of the inner narthex

VI. The three panels in the nave

I. Dedicatory and devotional panels

1. Christ Pantocrator

In lunette over door to inner narthex
The church was dedicated first to Christ Pantocrator (the
Almighty). The inscription reads: “Jesus Christ, the land (country,
dwelling-place) of the Living” - with a play on the name of the
church and a reference to Psalm 116:9: “I will walk before the
Lord in the land of the living.”

2. The Virgin with Angels

Opposite the above, over entrance door to the building
Secondly the church was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. Here she
is praying in an attitude characteristic of the type known as the
Theotokos of the Blachernae; Inscription: “The Mother of God,
the dwelling-place of the uncontainable” - with the same play
on the name of the church and a reference to the mystery of the
Incarnation.

3. Theodore Metochites presenting his Church to Christ

Inner narthex in lunette over door to nave
Theodore ofers a model of his church to the enthroned Christ.
He is dressed in his official robe: the extraordinary turban-like
hat was called a skiadion , literally a sunshade! Christ has the
same inscription as in the outer narthex; Theodore's reads: “The
Founder, Logothete of the Genikon, Theodore Metochites.”

4. St. Peter