The unique fresco refers to the siege of Constantinople in 674-678 under Emperor Constantine Pogonatos by the Saracens, who are depicted as black Arabs.
"Then again a large number of Hagarenes gathered by sea and went to Constantinople, during the reign of Constantine, grandson of Heraclius. He also gathered the people together and they went to the Temple of the Commander-in-Chief Michael, which was called that of Eusebius, and they entreated God and the Commander-in-Chief Michael to help them. The next day, the Commander-in-Chief Michael pierced all the ships of the Hagarenes and most of the people drowned; only three ships remained, which turned back."
To fund the battle, Constantine had to grind down many statues and mint coins to pay the soldiers: the Church had already given away its valuables from the previous Persian siege and there was nothing left. He also built several ships which had liquid fire that kept the Saracens away from the city walls.
The fresco is located in the Monastery of the Archangel Michael and Saint Gabriel the Hermit in Lesnovo and this piece was donated by the Great Voivode of Serbia, Jovan Oliver, who was Greek.
"Then again a large number of Hagarenes gathered by sea and went to Constantinople, during the reign of Constantine, grandson of Heraclius. He also gathered the people together and they went to the Temple of the Commander-in-Chief Michael, which was called that of Eusebius, and they entreated God and the Commander-in-Chief Michael to help them. The next day, the Commander-in-Chief Michael pierced all the ships of the Hagarenes and most of the people drowned; only three ships remained, which turned back."
To fund the battle, Constantine had to grind down many statues and mint coins to pay the soldiers: the Church had already given away its valuables from the previous Persian siege and there was nothing left. He also built several ships which had liquid fire that kept the Saracens away from the city walls.
The fresco is located in the Monastery of the Archangel Michael and Saint Gabriel the Hermit in Lesnovo and this piece was donated by the Great Voivode of Serbia, Jovan Oliver, who was Greek.
