Church of St. George - Smederevo

There are so many monuments, churches, monastery and fortress in the world. I have mostly written about foreign historical significance, and I don't even pay attention to what stands in front of my nose. I wrote about the magnificent Smederevo's fortress, and now came to learn something about the church of St. George. Every day, at least 5 times I past that church, but it never occurred to me to take photos. I went next to it yesterday, I paused and paid attention to the church, it was beautiful. The renovation was over, which lasted about 3 years. I took my phone out and started taking pictures. I took a few good photos. Enjoy!

There is something special in silence that floats around the old churches. It is not ordinary silence, it is the silence of time that passes, people who came and went, prayers who were whispered through centuries. In the heart of Smederevo, at the main town square, the Church of St. George stands, not only as a building, but as a guardian of the soul of this city.

The Church of St. George was built between 1850. and 1854. years, at a time when Serbia slowly emerged from the centuries-old Ottoman government and sought its identity. The construction did not initiate by any ruler or nobleman, but by the people. That is what makes this church so special. The effort and money of the citizens of Smederevo was erected, which was an extremely brave and proud act at that time.

Imagine that moment, the square full of people, craftsmen and traders separate from their income, women bring fabrics, and children carry stones. All for the idea of ​​a sacred, which will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the city.

The church was built in the spirit of Serbian-Byzantine style, but with visible elements of neoclassicism, reflecting the spirit of the epoch in which it was created. He was then projected by the famous architect Andrej Damjanov, a Macedonian by birth, who worked on many churches throughout the Balkans. Its signature is visible in strong proportions, gorgeous iconostasis, and the dignity that the Church pays.

The bell tower is 30 meters high and dominates the city landscape, and although Smederevo has a fortress as the most famous symbol, for many locals it's this church is the center of the city.

The Church of St. George survived a lot. There was a band of bombing in the WW1 and WW2. During the explosion in Smederevska, 1941, when half the city was razed to the ground, the church remained intact. Her walls, although affected by impact, have not fallen. Many believers believe it was a divine miracle.

In the communist period, when many churches were closed and left to oblivion, the Smederevo Church has survived more modestly, but persistently. In the silence of weekly liturgy, the thread was held that the past and the present were held.

Today, the Church of St. George is not just a monument. It is a place of gathering, a place of consolation and hope. The place where people are crossed, they marry, and are forgiven by their neighbours. The priests who serve here are not distanced figures in mantles, these are people who know their believers by name, coming into their homes, who share and well and hard.

In the holidays, the church yard becomes a place of life, children are playing, Grandma brings cakes, and someone crosses the forehead as much as possible. Although the weather is inevitably passing, something remains the same, faith, warmth and a feeling of belonging.

If you ever come to Smederevo, don't stop only in front of the fort. Turn a few steps towards the center, pause in front of the Church of St. George. Come in. Breathe the smell of incense and old wood. See frescoes that carry the suffering times. You may not be able to explain why, but you will feel peace. Because this church is not just a stone wall, she is the soul of the city.

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