Life in Visoki Decani Monastery

Life in Visoki Decani Monastery is following centuries old monastic rules of the Orthodox Church. Traditional crafts are combined with use of modern technology amidst particular security situation in Kosovo where Orthodox shrines are under protection of NATO led peacekeeping troops.

Prayer in Visoki Decani Monastery

The prayer is the heart of the monastic life. Beside regular prayer-rule which every monk performs in the tranquility of his cell, Decani monks, as monks as in all Orthodox monasteries, follow the daily pattern of church services which start at 4.30 in the morning. In the focus of the monastery's life of prayers is the Holy Liturgy which is served every day in the main church.

Icons in Visoki Decani Monastery

The monastery icon-studio is already well known to many visitors of Decani. Decani iconpainters try to give expression to images of the Lord, Theotokos and saints following traditional rules of icon painting which date back from old Byzantine times. Beside new icons the monastery has also a large collection of old icons from 14 to 18th c.

Church in Visoki Decani Monastery

Decani Monastery Church is a unique example of medieval Serbian art in which traditions of the East and the West meet to create a completely new pattern of artistic expression. Almost purely romanesque architecture is combined with traditional medieval Serbian fresco-painting in a church which is one of the best preserved medieval Christian shrine in the Balkans.

Church interior and details in Visoki Decani Monastery

The interior of the Decani Monastery church is always full of surprises: 14th century frescoes, romanesque sculptural elements, old icons and 19th century woodcarved iconostases make a unique whole which radiates with spiritual energy and tranquility. In the center of the church is a marble coffin with relics of the Monastery's founder - King Stefan Uros III of Serbia known as St. Stefan of Decani.

Other photographs, SUC team

The team of the Serbian Unity Congress from the U.S. made tremendous efforts to capture the beauty of the church and its surrounding by their cameras. Their work will soon be available on the internet as well as on particular CD's and DVD's which will promote the values of Serbian Orthodox Christian artistic tradition.