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church in Venice
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San Giorgio dei Greci (Greek: Ἅγιος Γεώργιος τῶν Ἑλλήνων, romanized: ´Agios Geórgios ton Ellínon, lit. 'Saint George of the Greeks') is a church in the sestiere (neighborhood) of Castello, Venice, northern Italy. It was the center of the Scuola dei Greci, the Confraternity of the Greeks in Venice. Around this period there was a similar church in Naples called Santi Pietro e Paolo dei Greci. There was also a Greek Brotherhood of Naples.
For centuries, despite the close ties of Venice to the Byzantine world (Venice was part of the Byzantine Empire), the Greek Orthodox rite was not permitted in Venice. In 1498, the Greek community in Venice gained the right to found the Scuola de San Nicolò dei Greci, a confraternity which aided members of that community. In 1539, after protracted negotiations, the papacy allowed the construction of the church of San Giorgio, financed by a tax on all ships from the Orthodox world.
Construction was started by Sante Lombardo, and from 1548, by Giannantonio Chiona. The belltower was built in 1592. The interior has a monument to Gabriele Seviros (1619) by Baldassarre Longhena. The dome of the church was frescoed with the Last Judgement (1589–93) by Giovanni Kyprios. Other artists who completed work for the church were Markos Bathas, Thomas Bathas, Venediktos Emporios, and Michael Damaskinos. Emanuele Tzane-Buniales, a priest and hagiographer from Crete, frescoed the Saints Simeon and Alypios, ascetic hermits, atop the pilasters. Other famous Greek artists associated with the church were: Konstantinos Tzanes, Philotheos Skoufos, Ioannis Moskos, Leos Moskos and Emmanuel Tzanfournaris.
Amongst the treasures in this church are three icons which Anna Notaras, daughter of Loukas Notaras, the last megas doux of the Byzantine Empire, brought with her to Italy before 1453, and she later gave to the Scuola de San Nicolò dei Greci in trust for when a church observing the Greek Orthodox faith could be constructed. These icons comprise: one of Christ in His glory surrounded by symbols of the four Evangelists and figures of the 12 Apostles; another of Christ Pantokrator; and the third is an image of the Virgin Hodegetria.
Near the church lies the Flanginian School, a Greek teachers' school, which today houses the Hellenic Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies in Venice. The Museum was established by Sophia Antoniadis.
Between 1560–1583, Michael Damaskinos completed works for the church. Twenty-five of his major works are located in Venice. Twenty of his paintings are part of San Giorgio dei Greci. Eighteen of his icons are part of the iconostasis of the church. One of them portrays the Archangel Michael. Nine of the paintings exhibit the dodekaorto known as the Great feasts in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Two of his works are behind the iconostasis within the holy sanctuary. Four of his works are part of the Hellenic Institute of Venice. The museum and research facility is associated with San Giorgio dei Greci. One of his paintings Wedding at Cana is located at the Museo Correr in Venice.
The priesthood of the painter Emmanuel Tzanes at San Giorgio dei Greci, from 1655–1690, was one of the most important periods in the institution's history. Four of Tzanes' paintings are associated with the church: an icon of Alypius on the iconostasis, Abraham and Melchizedek on the panels of the royal doors, a Crucifixion, and Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and John the Baptist on a holy podium (proskinitirio). Thirteen more works are housed at the Hellenic Institute of Venice, a museum and research facility associated with San Giorgio dei Greci. Tzanes' brothers, famous painter Konstantinos Tzanes and poet Marinos Tzanes also lived in Venice and were affiliated with the church. Other affiliated Greek painters of the time were Ioannis Moskos, Leos Moskos and Philotheos Skoufos.
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