Relatively few churches in Macedonia, compared with other areas, were adorned with stone reliefs on the exterior. These are to be found mainly in western Macedonia. Stone-carved reliefs first appear in the 18th and 19th centuries.
They have a decorative, symbolical and talismanic character, as is clear from the subjects used for them, which include plants, birds, serpents, human heads, holy persons and even entire religious scenes.
These reliefs were placed mainly at the entrance to the church, where they occupied either the entire door-frame or just the lintel, in the sanctuary apse, and anywhere else that relief slabs could be incorporated.
The few stone-masons whose names are known include Milios of Zoupani (Pendalofos Boiou) in western Macedonia, who is known from important works carved by him in churches on Pelion and in the monastery of Ayia Triada in his birthplace.
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