Sainte- Sophie Aya Sofia

Mosaic of the Virgin and the Christ Child, the Emperor John II, Komnenos and the Empress Irene from St Sophia. Last bay of the south gallery. This panel may almost certainly be dated to 1118, the year of the coronation of John II, Komnenos (1118-1143) and his wife Irene. Virgin's inscription says Mother of God. The emperor is seen offereing a bag of gold. The inscription reads John, in Christ the God faithful King born in the purple and Autocrat of the Romans, Komnenos. The red hair empress is seen holding a scroll. The accompanying inscription reads Irene the most pious Augusta.