Kariye Camii - Strolling Through Istanbul: The Classic Guide to the City - page 284

29. The Nativity
In east lunette of second bay

Inscription is simply the title The Birth of Christ. To the
shepherds the angel says: “Fear not: for behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”

(Luke 2:10)

30. The Journey of the Magi

The Magi before Herod
Two scenes in east lunette of fourth bay

Inscription: “And behold, there came wise men from the East to
Jerusalem, saying: Where is he that is born King of the Jews?”
(Matt. 2:1-2)

31. Herod enquiring of the Priests and Scribes

In east lunette of fifth bay

Partly destroyed. Inscription (mutilated): “And when he had
gathered all the priests and scribes together he demanded of
them where Christ should be born.” (Matt. 2:4)

One now turns the corner, into the seventh bay: the lunette above
the door to the inner narthex, now blank, probably contained the
Adoration of the Magi. The lunette above the columns and arches that
lead to the Parecclesion retains traces of the Return of the Magi.

32. The Flight into Egypt

In south lunette of seventh bay

Main scene destroyed, only title remaining. On right of window
scene of Fall of Idols from the Walls of an Egyptian Town as the
Holy Family passes by (from an apocryphal source).

33. The Massacre of the Innocents

In west lunette of sixth bay