Çavuşin – Cavusin Cappadocia

Çavuşin – Cavusin Cappadocia

One of the oldest settlements in the area, Cavusin is situated 2km from Goreme on the  Goreme-Avanos Road. The church of St.John the Baptist offers a panoramic view of the village. This Church and its paintings date to the 5th century, making it the oldest church in the region. It had a large courtyard, unusual for Cappadocia, that has eroded away. Christian missionaries once lived in the old Cavusin valley, but those communities are now in ruins. The Hacli Church (with the Cross), near the valley, was also used for defense against Arab raiders.

Çavuşin (Nicephorus Phocas ) Church

The barrel-vaulted church, with one nave and three apses, is situated 2.5 km from Goreme on the Goreme-Avanos Road. The narthex of this church, built around 964-965AD, is collapsed.
Scenes on the vault include the Annunciation, Visitation, Proof of the Virgin, Flight into Egypt , Joseph’s Dream II, Blessing and Mission of the Apostles, Adoration of the  Magi, Massacre of the Innocents, Pursiot of Elizabeth and Killing of Zacharias. On the west wall are Joseph and Mary After Proving , Journey to Bethlehem, Nativity, Last Supper , Betrayal of Judas, Anastasis and Baptism. On the north wall are Jesus before Pilate, Way of the Cross, Crucifixion, and Death of Christ. And on the south wall are Entry into Jerusalem, Raising of Lazarus, Healing of the Blind Man, Descent from the Cross and Women at thee Tomb. On the wall of the apse is the Transfiguration and on the north apse Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, who held power and authority at that time and his family.