By f. Ilias Makos / Romfea.news
The Monastery of Saint Naum is one of the most important Greek Orthodox religious monuments in Ohrid in FYROM and is visited by many tourists.
Apart from its touristic value, however, it is also a place where believers find a way to express themselves.
Within an environment that continues to persecute and deride Orthodoxy, this monastery is of importance. It reminds the Christians’ duty to remain stable and firm in their principles, despite the waves of hostility.
It is located at the southern end of the lake, at the mouth of Black Drin River, on a small rocky ridge and was founded in the 10th century, when the whole area was the seat of the Orthodox Archdiocese of Ohrid. Its frescoes are of high-quality.
Above the entrance there is the inscription: “The Present and Venerable Temple of Our Saint Naum the Wonderworker was painted… Under the supervision of His Holiness the late Abbot of Philippopolis, the New Founder at the time of late Metropolitan Kallinikos of Prespes and the contribution of Hatzis Iakovos and Ioannis Gabriel, Commissioner of the Holy Monastery. September 6, 1857.
The impressive golden iconostasis has the following inscription: “1711, By Constantinos the Hieromonk. The interior of the temple was painted, “by me, Terpos the Painter, son of Constantinos the Painter from Korça”.
Korça is no more than 50 km from here. There is a small chapel incorporated to the central part of the church, where the relics of St. Naum are located.
Behind the sanctuary, there is the tomb of the priest Giorgis, the abbot of the monastery, who passed away in 1905. The Greek inscription and the date, 1905, dated back to the Macedonian Struggle. Saint Naum was a disciple and collaborator of Saints Cyril and Methodius, and Saint Clement in the 9th century (842 AD) during the period of their missions for the spread of Christian faith in Bulgaria.
During these difficult missions, there were great obstacles and they encountered dangerous resistance. Nevertheless, Naum’s presence had a great impact, because in addition to preaching he was a wonderworker.
Today the Orthodoxy of FYROM honours the fight of Saint Naum, which is regarded as a valuable lesson for future generations.
