Icon of St George, 17th Century

At the Church of St George in Eleftheroupoli (Nea Ionia)—the first neighbourhood of the people of Alaya after the expulsion—there is preserved the icon of St George saved from the Church of St George of the Hill, within Alaya Castle. It is an exceptionally large icon (height 185 cm), of outstanding 17th-century icon-painting artistry, depicting the Saint slaying the dragon, with scenes from his life unfolding around the perimeter. The icon was painted in Cyprus, commissioned by the people of Alaya, and then placed in the Church of St George of the Hill.

The church was very small; for this reason, the enormous icon—positioned opposite the entrance—created a powerful sense of awe. Its scale reflected the deep faith of the Alaya community and honoured their patron saint. After the expulsion of 1922, the icon was taken first to Cyprus and later to Nea Ionia. It was also presented in the major anniversary exhibition marking 100 years since the Asia Minor Catastrophe at the Benaki Museum, titled “Asia Minor: Splendour – Catastrophe – Uprooting – Creation.”

The photograph captures the imposing icon of St George set within an elaborate carved wooden icon stand with hanging oil lamps. The Saint is shown on horseback defeating the dragon, while scenes from his life survive around the edges. The votive offerings hanging at the sides attest to the enduring devotion of worshippers, and especially of the people of Alaya in Nea Ionia.