The fresco of St. Luke of Steiriotis in the Holy Church of Agios Demetrius – Patron Saint of Thessalonikitranslated

Among the precious remains of the Byzantine painting decoration preserved in the Holy Church of Agios Dimitrios in Thessaloniki, the full-length representation of Saint Luke of Steiriotis, also known as Saint Luke of Steri, stands out. The fresco is located on the second pesso from the east of the south colonnade of the central nave and has been dated by the relevant survey to the end of the 11th century.

The representation belongs to a later phase of the decoration of the early Christian basilica. It bears witness to the continuous artistic and functional renewal of the church during the Middle Byzantine period, when new figures of saints were added to its interior and were organically integrated into the older mosaic and painting decoration. Today's knowledge of these successive phases is largely due to the systematic research and restoration work carried out after the disastrous fire of 1917.

The Saint is depicted full-length and frontal, with a solitary robe and cocoon. The elongated face, long beard, strong features and piercing gaze make up a strict ascetic type. The hands are projected in front of the chest in a prayer position and…