Manastir Zrze, prilepsko, Republika Makedonija

The monastery of Zrze is at about 25km west of Prilep built on flat ground surrounded by oak wood. The monastery complex consists of the temple dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration, the Temple of St. Peter and Paul, built somewhat later, in the 17th Century, the bell tower, the monks’ dormitory and other accessory buildings. The remains of the former buildings show that this space was much larger in the past and included many other residential and accessory buildings. The whole area was fortified with tall massive walls and defensive towers from which there are remains today.

Monastery Zrze,, 14th century

Most probably, the monastery of Zrze was built some time in the 14th century by the monk by the name of German, during emperor Dusan’s time. This can be proved by a an inscription on the external wall in the south entrance into the church, which speaks of earlier history of the monastery as well, including evidence from its beginnings until the period of the Turkish invasion on these grounds.

The temple of the Holy Transfiguration is a single-nave church with a hemispheric vault and a hemispheric internal apse. Entrance gates existed on the south and on the west side until the the porch was built in the second half of the 14th century. The the porch was painted with frescoes at the same time. Most of the frescoes in the first zone are partially preserved. Some conservation has been done on them. During the process a larger number of compositions with various illustrations like pictures of saints and amulets were found on the south, west and north wall.

The frescoes in the Naos belong to the period of the 16th century. The frescoes on the upper zones come from that time and include pictures of the life of Jesus Christ. The most remarkable among them are the compositions: Christ's Birth, the Meeting etc.

The frescoes of the 19th century are of lower quality. A more remarkable for its beauty is the Shepherd’s Portrait in which the shepherd is wearing a national costume. This is why the people have named it the Shepherds' Church. There is a legend about this portrait. It tells the story of the brave and the tragic destiny of a shepherd boy who tried to stand up against the arnaut’s threats that they will plunder and destroy this God’s temple. The boy was killed on the spot and the fresco was painted in his honour.

The church was not spared during the Turkish plunder. As a result, the majority of the church inventory disappeared forever. Fortunately not everything was lost. The monastery of Zrze, evidently protected by its lucky star, resisted all the evil and destructive spirits that attacked it during its centuries long life.

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