Wooden churches

The wooden Greek Catholic church of the Encounter of Our Lord with Simeon, 1760, NKP

    Dominant of the village Kožany, located in the Bardejov district is the wooden Greek Catholic Church of the Encounter of Our Lord with Simeon. This church is one of the oldest preserved monuments in Eastern Slovakia. Its origins date back to 1698 (according to other sources only to 1760). Originally the church was dedicated to the feast of the Protection of the Theotokos (Pokrov). Especially because of its valuable interior decorations, and interesting iconostasis belongs this church o one of the most precious sacral objects.
    The church has three parts, three spaces with three crosses on three separated towers. It was built on a stone foundation. The whole structure has rustic construction. Shingle roofing was used to cover the structure. In the belfry are three bells, one of them is especially precious, done in 1406. This is an extremely rare bell of all the wooden churches.
    The whole space of the church is dominated by a unique iconostasis, consisting of five rows of icons. The main row has icons of St. Nicholas, Theotokos (Hodigitria), Christ the Teacher and icon of the Encounter of Our Lord. Deaconal doors have no leaves, while royal doors are classic with depiction of the Annunciation and four Evangelists. Second row contains twelve icons of major feasts. In the middle is the depiction of the Last (Mystical) Supper with twelve apostles. Third, apostolic row has icons of individual apostles, divided in the middle by the icon of Christ the High Priest. Fourth row consists of twelve single medallions. In the middle is the Crucifixion of Christ with figures of the Theotokos and St. John the Apostle. The fifth row has icons under the main row and these are the icons of Holy Apostles Peter and Paul with Theotokos and icon depicting Jacob’s dream.
    The walls of the nave and sanctuary are decorated with paintings from 18th century.
    The most recent interior renovations were done in 1965 - 1970. The exterior of the church was restored in 2000 - 2003.

Contact:
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