What were the reasons to adapt the church from single- nave with semi- rounded arch to single- nave with perpendicular nave - transept, it is not known.  The church Sv. Bogorodica experienced several changes starting from 16th century, than in 17th century and the latest intervention was in 1843 when a new layer of fresco-decorations was created on plaster surface applied on the old fresco-decorations.  In the period from 1959 to 1960 after the conservation works, the fresco-decorations from 19th century were moved away and placed as an exhibit in the porch. 

The oldest frescoes date from 14th century and the ones that have been preserved are: "Obeisance to the victim", "The Ascension" and "Annunciation", St. Vasilie the Great and St. Jovan Zlatoust -  in the apsidal part.  On the northern wall the Holy Warriors are presented: Dimitrija, Gjorgji and Nestor and very next to the iconostasis the image of Deisis. 

The fresco-decorations of the unknown local painter are among the better ones painted in Ohrid; the painter had a great sense of color composition.  The iconostasis of this church is richly decorated with stylized plants, fruits and birds and other motifs and it is done in walnut wood in 1833 by Nikola Darkovski Karadzovic from village of Lazaropole.  This is one of the more significant works of the Miyak woodcarvers of the last century. 

It is interesting to mention the two churches Bolnicki: St. Nikola and Holy Mother of God.  Ever since the Middle Ages in the church was prohibited to conduct Mass, wedding or baptizing ceremony.  People believed that under the church there were dark corridors where the evil powers lived and harmed people.  During one baptizing a child died and while a wedding the bride died. 

In the Institute for preservation of monuments of Ohrid there is a document dating from 1694 which says that to any priest coming to Ohrid it is forbidden to conduct any kind of service in these churches. 

Around the church there are number of graves of monks or abbots as well as mass grave of many inhabitants of Ohrid. 

G.  Angeličin - Žura

About the churches in Macedonia

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