After the
reconquest of Crete by the
Byzantines in 961, the episcopal seat of Crete was moved from
Gortyn to Chandax (later Candia, modern
Heraklion), which became the capital of the island. A new metropolitan church was built in Chandax, dedicated to the apostle
Titus, the first bishop of Crete. That church was a single-aisled building. Various relics were brought to the church, among which the Holy Head of Titus and the icon of
Virgin Mary Mesopanditissa. In 1210, Crete
came under the control of the
Venetians and a
Roman Catholic archbishop was installed in the church. It underwent some modifications, such as the opening of a circular skylight and the construction of a bell tower. This first building was destroyed before the middle of the 15th century. The church was then rebuilt in the style of a three-aisled
basilica and was inaugurated on January 3, 1446 by the archbishop of Crete, Fantino Dandolo. It was slightly damaged by the earthquake of 1508, and was destroyed by a fire on April 3, 1544, although the relics of the church were saved. The church was rebuilt in the same style in 1557. After the
fall of Candia to the
Ottoman Turks in 1669, the relics and icon
Panagia Mesopantitisa were moved to
Venice and the church was converted into a Muslim mosque, dedicated to
Köprülüzade Fazıl Ahmed Pasha, the conqueror of Crete and Candia. The mosque was also known as the Vizier Mosque. That building was destroyed by the earthquake of 1856. Between 1974 and 1988, the church was renovated and restored. == See also ==