Latomos Monastery
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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Mosaic of Theophany in Hosios David
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| Location | Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece |
| Part of | Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki |
| Criteria | Cultural: (i), (ii), (iv) |
| Reference | 456-005 |
| Inscription | 1988 (12th Session) |
| Area | 0.058 ha (0.14 acres) |
| Coordinates | 40°39′5.1″N 22°58′3.0″E / 40.651417°N 22.967500°ECoordinates: 40°39′5.1″N 22°58′3.0″E / 40.651417°N 22.967500°E |
 Location of Church of Hosios David in Greece.
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The Church of Hosios David (Greek: Όσιος Δαβίδ) also referred to as the Latomou Monastery and Suluca Mosque, is a late 5th-century church in Thessaloniki, Greece. In Byzantine times, it functioned as the katholikon of the Latomos Monastery (Greek: Μονή Λατόμου/Λατόμων), and received a rich mosaic and fresco decoration, which was renewed in the 12th–14th centuries. The surviving examples are of high artistic quality. Under Ottoman rule, the building was converted into a mosque (probably in the 16th century), until it was reconsecrated as a Greek Orthodox church in 1921, receiving its present name. In 1988, included among the Paleochristian and Byzantine monuments of Thessaloniki on the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
The original architecture of the Church of Hosios David was constructed in a cross pattern with squares as the main shape of the floor plan. This pattern would later become more popular. The structure contained square bays in the corners. The bays all connected to the main cross room via hallways. The bays also connected to the outside.
Sometime during the middle Byzantine period the structure was damaged by earthquakes. Parts of the structure collapsed including the . The middle Byzantine period also saw the addition of marbling and a second round of fresco paintings.
The marble decoration in the Church of Hosios David depicted crosses, vines and leaves in swirling detailing.
The mosaic of the Theophany is a significant and detailed mosaic in the Church of Hosios David. It is in a naturalistic style depicting Christ holding a text saying in Greek, “Behold our God, in whom we hope and we rejoice in our salvation, that he may grand rest to this home.” The mosaic contains symbolism indicating the Evangelists are depicted. The mosaic representing the Theophany is in a naturalistic style. The mosaic is very complex, with a detailed border, and a lot of elements within the scene. The focus of the image is Christ as shown by his gaze, his position in the center and the halos surrounding Christ’s head and body.
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