ARCHED CHURCH-TIRILYE PANAGIA PANTOBASILISSA CHURCH 

A significant center during early Christian era, Tirilye hosted many stupendous churches and monasteries, including the Arched Church. The church bears utmost importance for Orthodoxy. Its columns were important from Alexandria, Egypt, and the building was completed in late 13^th century. According to a manuscript by Dr. J. Covel in 1676, the church is devoted to Panagia Pantobasillissa (Virgin Mary). This monument is unique as the first-ever church with murals on the world. Vaulted Church is also known as Panagia Pantobasilissa Church and Trigleia Abbey. It actually consists of vaults on buttresses. Vaults and dome are placed on four columns; adorned capitals are put on the columns bearing the dome. Locals also call it Little Ayasofya. The dome is high. Lack of any epitaph to indicate the exact date and patron of construction has brought along many different names for the church. The interior is more pompous than exterior thanks to motifs, drawings and adornments. The walls comprise traces of human frescoes, including a soldier with a sword, a spearman with a well-defined face, Archangel Michael with wings and scenes from life of Virgin Mary. The church was seriously damaged at the earthquake in 1855; the belfry and dome collapsed. Following the Exchange, the church was used as a storehouse under private property. It remained derelict for years, before being recently purchased by Elpidophoros Lambriniadis, who is appointed as Metropolitan Bishop of Bursa by Fener Greek Patriarchate in Istanbul. Following restoration, the church will regain its former glory and serve as a shrine once again.