The church and the monastery date back to the 12th or 13th century, according to the National Conservation Center data.
I don’t want to lament because everyone in Macedonia does so, but the wall of this spiritual temple will collapse any moment, says Monk Kalist, the sole resident and caretaker in the Treskavec Monastery, Telegraf.mk reports.
Covered in snow in mid April, anchored in the peculiar stone formations of Zlatovrv, raised high above Prilep and the Pelagonija villages, looking over the surrounding mountains, Treskavec Monastery captivates with its beauty and tranquility.
As you cross the gate of this holy place over and look around, you can feel the calmness it offers and instantly forget all the worries brought by the modern life. The gate of the church "Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary", which is in the middle of the monastery complex, is traditionally always open to believers and curious well-intended travelers.
Despite all the beauty of the landscape, there is the sad picture of the fire that caught the monastery a year ago, leaving it devastated. There are only the blackened walls that testify of the huge fire that wiped out three monastery building. Luckily, the church was not swallowed by the flames.
In the past ten years, it is only Monk Kalist that cares of this holy place. Assisted by many volunteers and believers, he is the sole resident in the monastery, visiting the nearby town only when necessary, to procure supplies for the winter season.
Telegraf.mk had the opportunity to talk to him a week before Easter, the greatest Christian holiday, about the icons, frescoes, the monastic life, the condition of the church and the associated buildings, the necessity of immediate restoration, as well as about the visitors, tourists and pilgrims who come to see the monastery complex.
"The church and the monastery date back to the 12th or 13th century, according to the National Conservation Center data,” says Kalist, adding that all research activities should be finished to determine the style dominating in its original construction. “There are early Christian elements in the construction, but there are elements typical for the 19 century as well. There are 5-6 different construction stages evident on each wall."
Monk Kalist explained that the frescoes in the church porch are of the first half of the 14th century, the exonarthex is of the second half of the 14th century and is donated by the Serbian Tsar Dusan. The frescoes inside the church are of the 15th century, while those behind the iconostasis are of the 16th century. The north wall of the nave displays a three-layered painting that goes behind the pillar.
There is not much data on the authors of the frescoes. However, Treskavec has always been of great significance for the Ohrid Archbishopric. Most of the precious icons are not in the monastery since they were transferred in the Prilep Museum depot after the fire. The 16th century Gospel is kept in a safe in the metropolitan’s residence. Following the numerous robberies in churches and monasteries in Macedonia, adequate protective measures have been taken in Treskavec, too.
"I would never like to see the monastery treasure out of the monasteries but there is the risk of it being stolen. The model of monastery treasuries, to preserve and keep the icons and other valuables of the monastery safe, could be a possible solution. Appropriate safety and maintenance standards need to apply. We should be realistic about the time we live in. People no longer have the fear of God and steal from the holy temples,” says Kalist.
During the terrible fire, Monk Kalist recollects, he rushed in to save the icons from the library. "The church was untouched, but we feared that the color of the frescoes could be damaged because of the high temperature."
A restoration project is being drafted which provides for traditional architecture, oak wood verandas, safer and modern materials, new water tank to ensure undisturbed functioning of the monastery complex – all in compliance with the best fire protection standards.
Before the fire, many domestic and foreign tourists slept in the church hospices. However, everyone coming in the monastery must observe order and peace. Nowadays, there is no possibility for visitors to spend the night there, but the number of visitors has rapidly increased after the construction of the asphalt road in August last year. Monk Kalist says he does not fear that it will lead to commercialization of the monastery as long as the order is preserved.
"There are people coming out of religious reasons, pilgrims, foreigners seeking spirituality. Some are interested in history of art and come to see the frescoes and icons. Others come to observe the sky at night, and some purely out of curiosity. There are also mountain climbers who are here every week. We cannot keep Treskavec hidden and unreachable for people. We should together rejoice it”, Kalist stated.
Believers are most frequent visitors and aides to the monastery. They come in the greatest number on August 28, the day celebrating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. After the holy liturgy, lunch is served in the church dining room, which dates back to the 14th century and features unique ambience, with wall paintings and frescoes from the 14th, 17th and 19th century. Yet, there is a danger that the wall may collapse any moment as it is deeply cracked.
Besides restoration of the church hospices, restoration of the church, the dining room, the monastery kitchen and dormitory is planned in the programme of the Ministry of Culture in two separate projects.
Treskavec Monastery is a monument of great cultural importance as it can be seen by the numerous items found, dating from the ancient period, i.e. the time of paganism or the period between the 4th century BC to the 4th century AD. Some of them are embedded in the walls of the church, including a piece of the ancient deity statue. At the foot of the church, however, a special symbol is found, a Sun in marble, which implies that there was a temple dedicated to Apollo at that same place.
"It is all covered now, protected and explored. As soon as research activities are over, restoration procedures can start," Monk Kalist said joyfully, expecting the start of the renewal of the Treskavec Monastery, which charms with its beauty and presence of Virgin Mary that never makes you feel lonely there.
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