New Gracanica Monastery in Third Lake, Il.
"New Gracanica Monastery
Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God
Serbian Orthodox Metropolitanate of New Gracanica
Diocese of America and Canada
The Property
For centuries the Church provided the strength and tradition that allowed the Serbians to maintain their religious and cultural existence in Serbia. The Gracanica of Kosovo, the famous church that was continually destroyed and rebuilt, is an example of the powerful Serbian spirit that with the Church as its guide, carried itself from an age of struggle in Serbia, to an age of peace in America. In 1977, the Most Holy Mother of God (Serbian) Association, Inc. purchased sixty acres of land, now the home of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of the US and Canada, Serbian Orthodox Metrtopolitanate of New Gracanica. This expanse of park land is located in the Village of Third Lake, Illinois, and is the site of a beautiful church and monastery complex.
The Church
In 1984, New Gracanica Church and the main building on the ground, dedicated to the feast of the "Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God", was completed and consecrated. It is an impressive architectural replica of the old Gracanica of Kosovo, but eighteen percent large than the one built in 1321 in Serbia. The original Gracanica was commissioned by King Milutin and built in 1321 by three brothers - Djordje, Dobroslav and Nicholas. Architecturally Gracanica is the supreme achievement and is designed in the Kosmet style. This style was a development of the Macedonian style or cross-in-square. The one difference is that in the Kosmet style, on each corner is a supplementary dome, while in the center is the main dome. New Gracanica is richly attired with detail such as hand-carved wooden entrance doors, which depict twenty-three monasteries and churches from various regions of Serbia, united them in image as they are in the hearts and minds of the Serbian people. Domes with crosses, pillars and unique brickwork add to the grandeur of the original Gracanica"
We shot these this past Saturday. We would like to thank Fr. Milorad and his staff for their time and the generous use of their church.
We hope you enjoy viewing our work!!
Detail on entrance doors
Detail on side door
Icon of The Virgin Mary and baby Jesus
Entrance to the church
One of the many frescoes on the walls
The dome of the church
The dome from under the chandelier
Woman tending to the candles
Rear wall with paintings of the saints
Beautiful shots and such an interesting place!
How beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing all of this with us!
iDoc
Loc: Knoxville,Tennessee
Beautiful images of a beautiful church. I now feel like I've been there.
Nique
Loc: Longueuil, Qc, Canada
Thank you for these beautiful photos and also for what you wrote to make us known more about this magnificent church and its history.
Raider Fan wrote:
"New Gracanica Monastery
Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God
Serbian Orthodox Metropolitanate of New Gracanica
Diocese of America and Canada
The Property
For centuries the Church provided the strength and tradition that allowed the Serbians to maintain their religious and cultural existence in Serbia. The Gracanica of Kosovo, the famous church that was continually destroyed and rebuilt, is an example of the powerful Serbian spirit that with the Church as its guide, carried itself from an age of struggle in Serbia, to an age of peace in America. In 1977, the Most Holy Mother of God (Serbian) Association, Inc. purchased sixty acres of land, now the home of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of the US and Canada, Serbian Orthodox Metrtopolitanate of New Gracanica. This expanse of park land is located in the Village of Third Lake, Illinois, and is the site of a beautiful church and monastery complex.
The Church
In 1984, New Gracanica Church and the main building on the ground, dedicated to the feast of the "Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God", was completed and consecrated. It is an impressive architectural replica of the old Gracanica of Kosovo, but eighteen percent large than the one built in 1321 in Serbia. The original Gracanica was commissioned by King Milutin and built in 1321 by three brothers - Djordje, Dobroslav and Nicholas. Architecturally Gracanica is the supreme achievement and is designed in the Kosmet style. This style was a development of the Macedonian style or cross-in-square. The one difference is that in the Kosmet style, on each corner is a supplementary dome, while in the center is the main dome. New Gracanica is richly attired with detail such as hand-carved wooden entrance doors, which depict twenty-three monasteries and churches from various regions of Serbia, united them in image as they are in the hearts and minds of the Serbian people. Domes with crosses, pillars and unique brickwork add to the grandeur of the original Gracanica"
We shot these this past Saturday. We would like to thank Fr. Milorad and his staff for their time and the generous use of their church.
We hope you enjoy viewing our work!!
"New Gracanica Monastery br Protection of the... (
show quote)
great shots Raider Fan :thumbup: :thumbup:
Great shots, the door is fantastic as is the interior of the Church. Well captured!
I think that first photo is simply amazing
Fantastic. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful church and photos. Also appreciated your history lesson.
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