The three-aisled basilica was also a feature of this period. A noteworthy example is the Basilica of Hosios Nikon, in Sparta. Formerly it was identified with the church built by Nikon ho Metanoeite ('you should repent') in the years 970-998. Recent research, however, dates the monument to the 7th century and identifies it with the old metropolitan church of the city. The tripartite Holy Altar projects at the side, has three, three-sided apses in the eastern part and the narthex to the west. In the middle apse there is a semicircular synthronon along with the kyklion. The walls separating the sanctuary from the parabemata form a semicircular apse, where a passage opens for communication with the parabemata, which consisted of two rooms. This bipartite arrangement is reminiscent of the paleochristian pastophoria, namely the place where offerings were deposited. Similar architectural elements appear also in other basilicas of the 7th and the 8th centuries. The basilica in Tegani, in the Mani, is connected with the reestablishment of the garrison at the castle of Tegani, when the theme of Hellas was instituted between the years 687-695. This fact constitutes one more reason for the monument to be dated to the end of the 7th century. The Basilica of Mastros in Aetolia is dated to the end of the 7th century or to the 8th and in all likelihood it was an episcopal church. Its characteristic is the central horseshoe apse. The basilica near the village of Byzari in Crete most probably belonged to the episcopate of Sybritos, which was moved in 674 from Amari to a safer place as a result of the Arab raids. It is thought likely to date from between 674 and 824/5, the date when the Arabs occupied Crete. The most prevalent opinion, however, dates the foundation of the church to 700.