The narthex of this church was painted during the first half of the 10th century and the other parts during the second half. With its narthex, central hall and side nave, Tokali Church is the largest of the area. Its long narthex is perpendicular to the central hall. At the east side of the hall there are four columns connected to each other with arches. Behind the arches there is an elevated corridor and after the corridor comes the central and side apses.
The upper sections of the narthex are full of paintings, in chronological order, about Christ's life. Red and green are the outstanding colours. Availability of more space in the nave provided possibility for painters to go into more details. St. Basil's life, figures of other saints and the miracles of Christ are the themes used in the nave. The paintings in the narthex are in this order:
The Annunciation, The Visitation (The visit of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth), Ordeal by Water, Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Massacre of the Innocents, Flight to Egypt, Meeting St. John the Baptist, The Baptism, Miracle in the Sea of Galilee, Feeding of the Five Thousand, Healing the Eyes of the Blind, Resurrection of St. Lazarus, The Last Supper, The Betrayal, Carrying the Cross, The Crucifixion, Descent From the Cross, Holy Women at the Tomb, The Second Coming and Christ with the Twelve Apostles. Probably the name of the church comes from the buckle once hanging from the ceiling. Although the buckle is gone its place can be seen.
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