This article aims to analyze the ktetorial composition depicted above the west portal of the Chora Church
(Kariye Camii). Although many researchers provided a description of this composition, the representation of
the church in the hands of Logothetes tou Genikou, Theodore Metochites, has not been specifically examined.
No matter that the church is depicted with the majority of the architectural elements which correspond to the
reality, it is interesting to notice that two large crosses are depicted laterally of the west portal. These crosses
do not correspond to the elements of the brickwork of the west facade. Nevertheless, careful analysis of the
marble portal between naos and narthex area contains quite particular detail: in the lower third of two jambs
of the portal were inserted pectoral crosses (encolpia) which testified to the keeping of small particles of the
True Cross relic, hope for salvation and inscribing of the ktetor in the circle of the protected by True Faith