The Holy Mother Perivlepta
There are many ways to explore Ohrid, to learn about its history and to enjoy all gifts it offers. You might prefer to experience this town more materially – its position at the foot of the Galichitsa Mt., the crystal air, the unrepeatable and unique beauty of the lake, the shops full of irresistible masterpieces of Ohrid craftsmen, tasty food etc. Some people prefer to experience Ohrid spiritually – to immerse into the gloom of its churches and monasteries, where the silence gently pulsates of the liturgies sung during centuries, the frescoes tell stories about born of Christianity, where icons will enchant you with profundity, sadness and eternal love of eyes of Holy Mother and Her Son…
It is up to you to choose. Whatever you decide, enjoy and remember your visit to this special spot on the Earth…
While reading this listing, listen to this heavenly beautiful music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vS2BcpKkpM
In the Eastern Orthodox Religion there are many churches dedicated to the Holy Mother (Macedonian: Bogoroditsa). The Holy Mother is one and only, however there are many other attributes which are added to her name. The names, linked to the name of Holy Mother, may identify something about the place where the church lies, for example The Bogoroditsa Bolnichka in Ohrid (meaning Hospital), or Spileotisa (speleon – cave), Smolenska (in the town Smolensk in Russia) etc. Other names describe some of her divine characteristic (Eleusa – Merciful, Prechista – Most chaste, Pour one, Episkepsis - Protector). Some names are connected with certain phases of the life and death of The Holy Mother – Nativity or Ascension. The name “Trojeruchica” – The Three-handed Holy Mother derived from a horrifying legend about St. John Damaskin from VIII century, an official at the court of Damascus caliph, which hand was cut-off because the rage of the caliph. John took his cutted hand and spent hours praying in a front of an icon of Holy Mother, holding the hand on the stump until felt asleep. When he woke up, his hand was on one piece again. Graceful, John put a silver hand (the third hand) on the icon of Holy Mother…
About this cache:This church is dedicated to Holy Mother of God Perivlepta (Peribleptos, meaning “Beautiful”). Built in 1295, this church is one of the oldest and most rear and mystical churches in the historic part of the town of Ohrid. The most important treasures of the Holy Mother of God Perivleptos church are the old ecclesiastical books, perchament manuscripts of 11th and 12th century, old music notes of Byzantine church songs, icons. Worth mentioning are the Litian icons, one of which is valued as a master piece from 18th century.
The Holy Mother Perivlepta
The frescoes in this church were painted in the period between 14 and 16 century by Michael and Eutychus. There are unique in the world as they represent the Bible in figures. On some frescoes there are details that are not anywhere else in the world. In 15-th century, after the destruction of Clement's church St. Panteleimon, which was burned and converted into a mosque by the Turks, the relics of St. Clement were transferred here, and ever since the citizens of Ohrid named the church St. Clement. In 2002, after more than 530 years, the relicts of St. Clement were removed to the rebuilt St. Panteleimon Church on Plaoshnik.
Lamentation over Christ
This church is very specific and carries its secret! The best explanation of what you see in it can give you the curator of this church, a lady who dedicated all her professional and scientific effort to this sanctuary.
The cache is a plastic container.
Sources: Internet; Photos: Internet, Original (by Galejnik)