AGHIOS GEORGIOS DIASORITIS CHURCH
One of the most important Byzantine churches on the Tragea plain in Halki.
This small Byzantine church (Άγιος Γεώργιος Διασορίτης) stands amidst olive groves, and is easy to get to. After a short walk from the village, you'll come across this real gem featuring very well-preserved frescoes.
Built in the 11th century, the Aghios Georgios Diasoritis church is one of the most important Byzantine buildings on the Tragea plain. Its cross shape is unusual on Naxos, and its magnificent original frescoes are well preserved, even if some were covered over in the 13th century. It is dedicated to one of Christianity's most famous saints, the martyr George of Lydda (d. circa 303), famous for slaying the dragon. The epithet "Savior"(Diasoritis or Sotiris in Greek), often attributed to Saint George in the Balkans, was added later, probably in the 15th century. It recalls another episode in the life of this Roman soldier from Palestine who converted to Christianity: the rescue of a young child kidnapped by the non-Israelite tribe of Agarenes and promised death or slavery. In Byzantine literary language, the term Agarene was used to describe Muslims and, by extension, the Ottomans. The epithet "Savior" here is a clear allusion to the devşirme ("blood tax") system set up by the Ottomans in the territories under their control: the abduction of Christian children destined to be converted to Islam and trained as soldiers.
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