Panagia church at Sklaverochori
The large cemeterial church of Panagia at village Sklaverochori is dedicated to the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple (celebrates November 21). The church dates back to the 14th century (there is an engraving with date 1481). The most important element of the church is the high quality frescoes of the 14th and 15th centuries, which occupy the oldest eastern part of the temple and are preserved in good condition. The frescoes belong to the Constantinople School of Hagiography.
In the frescoes we see scenes from all over the Twelve Great Feast (Dodekaorto) , namely the twelve most important celebrations of the ecclesiastical year (Nativity of the Theotokos, Exaltation of the Cross, Presentation of the Theotokos, Nativity, Baptism, Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, , Annunciation, Entry into Jerusalem, Ascension of Christ, Pentecost, Transfiguration, Dormition of Theotokos. The pictorial coverage of the whole Dodekaorton is also found in the church of Panagia at Kapetaniana, which suggests that they may have been painted by the same artist.
Among other frescoes, we discern Saint Francis of Assisi with his particular haircut, who is very rarely met in the churches in Crete, as he belongs to the Catholic doctrine, but is also honored by the Orthodox Christians because of his charity action. We also see the Pentecost scene with the Preparation of the Throne in the presence of the Holy Spirit and the Ancient of Days (God) with the symbols of the Evangelists.
