St. Mary's Church, Elbasan

St. Mary's Church
Native name:
Albanian: Kisha e Shën Mërisë
Location: Elbasan
Built: 1556
Cultural Monument of Albania

The St. Mary's Church (Albanian: Kisha e Shën Mërisë) is an Eastern Orthodox church and monastery in Elbasan, Albania. It became a Cultural Monument of Albania in 1963.[1]

The church's building started in 1483, but it ended almost a century later: the church had its first religious services only in 1556. It was built entirely in stone in a completely particular way, with stones carved in the shape of a cross, which can still be seen today.[2] The church was frescoed by Onufri and restaured by David Selenica. In the 18th century it was entirely burned by a fire, so it was rebuilt in the beginning of the 19th century.[3] Some of the most famous preachers in the church have been Fan Noli and Visarion Xhuvani.[4]

In the 1990s the church became the seat of a split fraction of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania.[5]

In 2008 the Albanian government financed reconstruction of the church.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Religious buildings with the "Culture Monument" status". Republic of Albania National Committee for Cult. http://kshk.gov.al/index.php?fq=brenda&gj=gj2&kid=19. Retrieved October 28, 2010. 
  2. ^ Kisha e Shën Marisë: ndërtimi dhe rindërtimi dibran 28 October2008
  3. ^ Kisha e Shën Marisë: ndërtimi dhe rindërtimi dibran 28 October2008
  4. ^ Kisha e Shën Marisë: ndërtimi dhe rindërtimi dibran 28 October2008
  5. ^ AT NIKOLLE MARKU, GARDIAN I SHQIPTARIZMES from Prof. Eqrem Zenelaj
  6. ^ Kisha rebele e Elbasanit, rikthim në identitet 2008-10-19