The church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God has fresco paintings made in the second half of the sixteenth century. Preserved paintings are made later than the original iconography of the church, which was done immediately after erecting small chapels and the porch. The record about original paintings was covered with the record from the sixteenth century. Both records are placed on the external facade, above the entrance door, and that proves that the porch existed before the original painting was done, or that at least that it was built soon after the painting was finished. Because the construction of the porch had been repaired many times over centuries and there were periods when it didn’t exist at all, the letters of the record are completely washed away, only horizontal scratches which marked written lines remained. In the lower part of the record the plaster is only partially fallen, and thus it is possible to see some traces of the original record on the very thin layer of plaster.
From original iconography, which was certainly done before the occupation of Zabljak, is saved one composition. The Most Holy Mother of God with the Lord Jesus Christ is painted in the calotte of the apse of the north chapel.The Most Holy Mother of God is spreading her arms while Christ is giving blessings. The Most Holy Mother of God is painted in pale blue garment with dark red omoforion. Although it is badly damaged, this fresco was delicately painted so that the paint is almost translucent. In the figure of Mother of God we can recognize the hand of an artist who liked to use gentle colors and had skill to subtly merge shadows with light.
Fresco painters who repainted the church in the second half of the sixteenth century had less talent. In 1557, after the restoration of Pec Patriarchate, began the historical period of building transformation during which many churches and monasteries were reconstructed. At that time the church in the Kom Monastery was repainted and got the iconography which still covers the church interior and west facade.
Besides standing figures of Saints in the first zone, painter or painters at that time painted whole upper areas with compositions of main Holydays and the Passion of Christ. On the exterior west facade they repeated, over the remains of old frescos, the composition of the Final Judgment, which was shown in details.
In the first zone, on the wall left to the door, we can still perceive remains of standing figures of Saints. Above the door is the previously mentioned record, and in the upper niche is painted the Most Holy Mother of God with Christ. In the second zone are groups of Saints. The central part of the composition – Lord Jesus Christ on the Throne surrounded with Saints is being placed in the third zone. The composition is completed with the image of Lord Jesus Christ in omoforion which is carried by angels. Best preserved colors are the dark ocher of Saints aureole, red edges and terra-cotta background, and thus pastel red color dominates the whole surface, which gives it especially pleasant and warm shine.
On the south wall, looking from the middle part towards the entrance, paintings are badly damaged, only traces of floral ornaments are conserved. On the south pilaster begins the line of standing figures of Saints with Saint Nicolas as first. On the west wall are painted Saint Archangel Michael on the left side of the door, and St. Emperor Constantine and Empress Helena on the right side. On the north wall are Great Martyrs St. Prokopius, St. George and St. Demetrius. On the pilaster is Saint Nestor, in the niche of the middle bay is presented the Most Holy Mother of God with Lord Jesus Christ on the throne, surrounded with two angels. On both sides are remains of figures of Saints, probably of Saint Martyr Julitta and Saint Cyriacus. Images of unknown Stylites are painted on pilasters which separate naos from altar.
In the altar, on the north wall, begins the procession of Bishops, with Saint Nicolas and Saint Peter of Alexandria. The procession continues in the apse with Saint Gregory the Theologian and the unknown archpriest, bending before almost completely destroyed composition of the Lord Jesus Christ the Lamb. On the other side the procession continues with the unknown archpriest and Saint Athanasius and ends, on the south wall, with Saint Cyril the Philosopher and Saint German. In the semi dome of the apse is painted the Most Holy Mother of God spreading arms, with the medallion with Lord Jesus Christ on Her chest. Under each arm is painted an angel, much smaller than the dominating figure of the Most Holy Mother of God.
Scenes of main feasts and the Passion of Christ are painted in two areas on the church vault. Series of feasts begins on the south wall in the altar with the composition of the Nativity of Jesus Christ followed by: Presentation of the Lord, Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Resurrection of Lazarus. On the north wall is a line of compositions: Entrance of the Lord Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, the Crucifixion and the Christ Preaches in Hades. Under compositions of feasts are compositions of the Passion of Christ: the Last Supper and the Lord Jesus Christ Washes His Disciples` Feet on the south wall, being continued on the north wall with following compositions: the Lord Jesus Christ Brought Before Pilate, Taking our Lord Jesus Christos Down from the Cross and the Myrrh – bearing Women Come to the Tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the line of compositions describing the Passion, on the south wall, there is a painting of the Entrance of the Most Holy Mother of God. On the west wall is, as usual, the composition of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God, which is framed with the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Judas Kiss. On the opposite side, on the east wall of altar, are busts of Deacon Saints. Above them are separated Annunciation, and in the third zone is the lower part of the composition of the Ascension of Our Lord. On the apex of the altar vault is medallion with the Lord Jesus Christ from the composition of the Ascension of Our Lord. The middle medallion is badly damaged, and in the third one is Our Lord Jesus Christ presented as the Great Council Angel, encircled with cherubim.
On buttressed arches in floral vine are medallions containing 9 Old Testament Prophets each. Names of Saint Prophet Iona, Zechariah, Aaron and Babylas are visible on the arch in naos, while on the other arch are visible only names of Saint Malachi and Saint Daniel. Capitals of pilasters and lateral sides of arches are filled with thick floral ornaments.
The present – day iconostasis was placed in the Monastery church in 2000 year. The iconostasis is in one level, made of dark walnut wood, with exceptionally beautiful and discrete engraving which was done by skillful craftsman from Kragujevac. With its shape and gentle curly ornaments it entirely fits the church interior. Valuable icon – painting on it is the special work of abbess Jelena from monastery Zica and her sisters. Main icons are those of the Lord Jesus Christ and of the Mother of God, here presented in the icon Mlekopitateljnica (The Most Holy Mother nurses Christ). The Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God is presented on the Holy Doors, and icons of Saint Sava, the first Serbian Archbishop, and Saint Basil, Ostrog miracle worker, crown north and south doors. With its freshness and unique style this work supplements and enriches existing iconography in the church.
The iconography in the Monastery of Kom is very interesting. Rather rich iconography is shown in the small space of the church. Besides usual paintings of Great feasts it has rich showing of the Passion of Christ. The Most Holy Mother of God, the church being dedicated to Her, is distinguished. Her image with little Lord Jesus Christ is shown in four different places. Along with the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple and the Annunciation, specially is emphasized the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God. This composition is enriched with details characteristic for the narrative style of fresco painting in the sixteenth century. Besides usual showing the Falling Asleep of the Mother of God, in the church of Kom are also shown moments of Her ascension to Heaven, carried by angels. The composition ends with ellipsoid shape of Heaven where two angels open the door of Eden so that God Himself is taking His Mother` soul. Artist or artists, known to God only, who painted frescos in the church of the Mother of God, had good theological education and they managed to create entirety which is charming, pleasantly cheerful and special, with rich and clear coloring.
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