The main door of the Chora Church opens into the narthex . It divides north-south into the exonarthex and esonarthex . The exonarthex (or outer narthex) is the first part of the church . It is a large corridor measuring 4m wide and 23m long . On its eastern side , it is partially open into the parallel esonarthex . The southern end of the exonarthex opens out through the esonarthex forming a western ante-chamber to the parecclesion .
The mosaics decorating the exonarthex depict the following scenes: Joseph's dream and journey to Bethlehem , Enrollment for taxation , Nativity , birth of Christ , Journey of the Magi , Inquiry of King Herod , Flight into
Egypt
, Two frescoes of the massacres ordered by King Herod , Mothers mourning for their children , Flight of Elizabeth , mother of John the Baptist , Joseph dreaming , return of the holy family from Egypt to Nazareth , Christ taken to Jerusalem for the Passover , John the Baptist bearing witness to Christ ,
Jesus
Christ , and Virgin and Angels praying .
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