Patriarchate of Peć

Patriarchate of Peć

The Church complex of the Patriarchate of Peć
Monastery information
Full Name	Пећка патријаршија / Pećka Patrijaršija
Order	Serbian Orthodox
Established	XII century
Diocese	Eparchy of Raška and Prizren
Controlled churches	The Church of the Apostles, The Church of st. Demetrius, The Church of the Virgin Hodegitria, The Church of st. Nicholas
People
Founder(s)	Saint Sava, St Arsenije I
Important associated figures	Saint Sava, St Arsenije I, Archbishop Nikodim, St Danilo II
Site
Location	Near Peć, Kosovo
Coordinates	42.661°N 20.266°E / 42.661; 20.266
Public Access	Yes
Other information	Monuments of Culture of Exceptional Importance

Medieval Monuments in Kosovo *
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Country	Serbia
Type	Cultural
Criteria	ii, iii, iv
Reference	724
Region **	Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription	2004 (28th Session)
Extensions	2006
Endangered	2006-
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List ** Region as classified by UNESCO

The Patriarchate of Peć (Serbian: Пећка патријаршија or Pećka Patrijaršija, pronounced [pɛ̂ːt͡ɕkaː patrijǎrʃija]) is a Serbian Orthodox monastery located near Peć, in Kosovo. The complex of churches is the spiritual seat and mausoleum of the Serbian archbishops and patriarchs.

In 1990, the Patriarchate of Peć was added to Serbia's "Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance" list, and on 13 July 2006 it was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List as an extension of the Visoki Dečani site which was overall placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Foundation

The precise date of the foundation of the Patriarchate is unknown. It is thought that while Saint Sava (d. 1235) was still alive that the site became a metoh (land owned and governed by a monastery) of Žiča monastery, then the seat of the Serbian archbishopric.

Archbishop Arsenije I (d. 1266) built the Church of the Holy Apostles, as he wanted the seat of the Serbian Church to be at a more secure location and closer to the centre of the country. Soon, around 1250, he ordered it decoration. Archbishop Nikodim I built the Church of Saint Demetrius around 1320, north of the other church. A decade later, around 1330, his successor, Archbishop Danilo II built a third church, south of the original one - the Church of the Holy Virgin Hodegetria to the south of which he added the small Church of Saint Nicholas. In front of the three main churches, he then raised a monumental narthex. In front of the narthex he built a tower. In the time of Archbishop Joanakije II, around 1345, the hitherto undecorated Church of Saint Demetrius was decorated with frescoes.

Emperor Dušan the Mighty (r. 1331-1355) raised the Archbishopric at Peć to Patriarchal status.

During the 14th century, small modifications were made to Church of the Holy Apostles, so some parts were decorated later. From the 13th to the 15th century, and in the 17th century, the Serbian Patriarchs and Archbishops of Peć were buried in the churches of the Patriarchate.

Restoration

Restoration of the complex began in June 2006 and was completed in November 2006. The main aim was to protect the complex from the weather, as well as to repair the inner walls and exterior appearance. Two previously unknown frescoes were uncovered on the north facade of the Church of St. Demtrios, of a Serbian queen and nobleman. [1]

See also

• Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance
• Tourism in Serbia
• List of Serb Orthodox monasteries
• Serbian Orthodox Church
• Patriarchs of Serbia (Archbishops of Peć)
• Serbs in Kosovo

Notes and references

Notes:

a.	^ Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Serbia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo. The latter declared independence on 17 February 2008, while Serbia claims it as part of its own sovereign territory. Its independence is recognised by 88 UN member states.

References:

External links

• Official presentation of the Patriarchate of Peć
• Official site of Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Raška and Prizren - old
• New official site of Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Raška and Prizren
• Official site of the Serbian Orthodox Church
• Serbian Unity Congress
• Map - Area under jurisdiction of Patriarchate of Peć in the 17th century