MONASTIC COMPLEX FOUND AT ZRZE
Culture.
A rich monastic complex dating from the 12th century or two centuries earlier has been found within the St. Transfiguration Monastery Compound at the village of Zrze. The cave church dated from the 12th century was unearthed in a sedimentary rock cave under the current monastery church.
A dining room and a monks’ workshop were located next to the church along with four-floor 11 separate sections with total 30 ascetic cells. Each cell was used by a monk. The team of archaeologists and conservationists working at the site say they expect about ten more ascetic cells to be found in further excavations.
The extraordinary discovery, scientists say, places the St. Transfiguration Monastery at Zrze in a new scientific, cultural and religious context because there are indications that it has cultural layers dating from the 9th century. “Although this is the first phase of excavations, it is not to daring to say that this monastic complex corresponds in religious terms to Clement's complex at St. Naum according to its scope and material occurrences,” Branislav Risteski, the coordinator of the project says.
[Culture.in.mk]
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