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| Cave churches
appeared in 9th century or earlier. The paintings date
mainly from 13th and 14th century, and they are closely
connected with the Christian learning - isihasm. That was
the attribute of the overall life in Macedonia a long
time ago. Here, in all the different caves, many hermits
lived and practiced mysticism, miracles and prophecy.
Especially in the vicinity of Lake Ohrid cave churches
sprouted. That was where the isihastits lived and worked. We shall mention just a few of them: the recently discovered cave church St. Nikola, near the camp Ljubanista, about a hundred metres north of the village Trpejca. A fresco with the image of St. Nikola can be found on one of the rocks; in the tourist camp Gradiste, in a rock, remains from a monastic order can be encountered; about a hundred metres northwards is the cave church Holy Mother - Pestanska; close to the resort "Orce Nikolov" is the cave church St. Stefan; about a hundred metres westwards from this church, in a rock, remains from a painting can be seen; the cave church dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin, in the rocks beneath the church St. Jovan Bogoslov - Kaneo in Ohrid, on the beach Labino, in small cave where water springs, remains from a painting can be found; to the north, about two hundred metres away, in the depths, people used to light candles from time to time. According to the stories of the older fishermen from Kaneo, when they went fishing they used to say that they were going to through nets at St. Spas. In addition, at the beginning of the beach Grasnica a bigger cave was found with painting remains; the church St. Erazmo is located about two kilometers west from Ohrid; only about a hundred metres westwards is a monk dwelling with an inscribed crucifix in the inside; the cave church Dormition of the Mother of God in Kalista; about a hundred metres to the south is the cave church St. Atanasie; and last but not least, St. Archangel Michael near the village Radozda etc. |
