Empress Irene of Hungary built a monastery dedicated to Christ Pantokrator between 1118 and 1124. After her death, shortly after 1134, Emperor John II Komnenos built a northern church dedicated to the Theotokos Eleousa. By 1136 at the latest, a southern courtyard and exonarthex were added, and a chapel of Saint Michael joined the two churches as the imperial mausoleum.
The article describes two churches and a chapel, though its introduction implies three structures. It calls the style Middle Byzantine, Comnenian. Both churches are cross-shaped with central domes and seven-sided apses. The southern church is the largest, with two domes, and the walls are brick.
The main church became a mosque shortly after 1453. The building was derelict by the early 21st century, and the article says an extensive and sometimes controversial restoration is complete and the mosque has reopened for prayer.
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