Church of St John the Baptist, Deliana, Crete.

Tuesday, 1st October, 2019.

 Five minutes' walk from Phil and Lynn's house in Deliana is the would-you-believe 13th-14th century church of St John the Baptist, although here he is called St John the Forerunner. 

The walls carry some spectacular frescoes, in excellent condition seeing that they are attributed to the workshop of the early 14th century painter Michael Veneris.  I need to do some more research on these - I couldn't work out from the general information board in the church what any of them actually are, and I would love to know more.

This might be "groups of the enthroned Apostles accompanied by the Angels" or  perhaps "depictions of Heavens with choirs of Saints" or maybe something to do with John the Baptist.  I don't know.

See the caption above for what I don't know this is.

I would have guessed that this was St George, who is big in Greece, but you can't see what the spear is being poked into, and there is no mention of St George in any of the info.

A framed picture on the wall.

The pictures around the altar are in beautiful condition, with lots of gold - I would have to guess that these are later than 14th century.

A highlight around the altar - behind the pulpit is this brilliant painting of St John the Baptist.  My second beheading this trip, after the one in Pickering in Yorkshire with Paul and Judith.  At least this poor John only has one head (for now).

The church is used especially for people's Name Day celebrations, which are a big event in Crete.  It has two bells, and it must be beautiful to hear them ringing out in Deliana.

The bells must be used often, as their ropes are in good condition.  Here is Ilona with rope A.