Krepičevac Monastery

Krepičevac Monastery, also referred to as Crnorečki Monastery, is a Serbian Orthodox religious site located in the gorge of the Radovan river, four kilometers north of the village of Jablanica in Serbia. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Eparchy of Timok and is dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God.

History and Significance

The monastery's construction is attributed to the late 15th and early 16th centuries, with prefect Georgije, son of Jan, identified as its founder. Historical records concerning Krepičevac Monastery are sparse, though it is noted as being active in 1761 and 1780. The monastery is believed to have shared founders with the nearby Lapušnja Monastery, given their close construction timelines. During the First Serbian Uprising, Krepičevac, alongside the monastery in Grliste, was a significant site in the resistance against Ottoman forces. In 1930, the monastery received six nuns and seven novices from the Kuveždin Monastery. Abbess Angelina Ličanin, who significantly contributed to the monastery's restoration by selling her properties in Belgrade to fund the construction of a dormitory for the sisters, was buried at the monastery gate in 1969.

Architecture and Artistry

The monastery church is built on the foundations of an older church and features a small structure with a trefoil base, reflecting the architectural influences of the Morava school. The building is constructed from stone and has been plastered. The fresco painting within Krepičevac Monastery is highly regarded, contributing to its recognition as a significant cultural monument. The surviving frescoes, dating from the first half of the 16th century, include a rare medieval foundational composition on the northern wall of the chancel, depicting the founder and his family in rich, period attire. The founder's wife, Zora, is particularly noted for her portrayal as intelligent and courageous. Figures of saints such as Archangel Michael, Pachomius the Great, Constantine and Helena, and Mary of Egypt are depicted in the lower zone of the church interior. The vestibule contains scenes from the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary, with the 'Escape to Egypt' being a notable composition. Fragments of frescoes on the western facade suggest that the exterior of the monastery was also painted. The artistic merit is further enhanced by a white marble rosette, adorned with shallow floral ornamentation, which is thought to have been located near the pulpit and shares similar ornamentation with that found in the Ovčar-Kablar monasteries. A recessed space in the southern wall of the nave is believed to be the final resting place of old man Joseph, one of the Sinaiites from the late 14th century.

Renewals and Current Status

While the exact reasons and timing of its abandonment are not documented, Krepičevac Monastery underwent restoration in 1679 and again in the 18th century by Prince Golub from Jablanica. Currently, the monastery does not house a resident monastic community and is tended to by parish priests.