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| Rustemi, who takes care of the Churches |
Whenever the sun rises and sets in the village of Kërçisht e Epërm, it's Rustemi who calls the Azan, the time for Muslim believers to pray. Today, the majority of residents in the village follow the Islamic faith. However, they take care of the five local churches just as they do with their own religious sites. Rustemi himself accompanies us to share the history of these churches.
The village of Kërçisht e Epërm in Maqellara is known for its five Byzantine churches: Kral Kërçini, Shën Spahia, Shën Dhimitri, Shën Sotir, and Shën Pobrazhi, located at the top of the hill. All five churches are shaped like a cross.
Only two of them are open to the public and can be visited, thanks to the continuous maintenance efforts by the local residents.
Saint Dimitri Church:
The largest church is the "Saint Dimitri" Church, which is said to have been built by local craftsmen in 1892 using stones and lime plaster and is characterized by Byzantine culture. The church has a wooden structure with a stone roof, and the ceiling is adorned with frescoes.
Inside, there are only a few religious objects, while the frescoes on the walls are somewhat damaged.
The Saint Dimitri Church was declared a cultural monument on 25.09.2007 by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Sports.
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| Saint Dimitri Church in MAqellarë, Albania |
The locals tell us that many believers from Tirana, Elbasan, Skopje, and Greater Dibra come here to celebrate. Near the "Saint Dimitri" Church, there are also graves that still have crosses in place.
During religious holidays, everyone would gather around each other's tables. It was hard to tell who was a Muslim and who was a Christian.
Another local resident, Nexhmedin Nurçe, who follows the Islamic faith, tells us that Orthodox believers also respected the rituals of their Muslim neighbors.
Saint Sotir Church:
In the center of the village stands the Church of Sveti Spas or "Saint Sotiri," built around 1270. It is simple, with only one window in its center.
The walls preserve frescoes that have been damaged, measuring 7m x 3.2m.
The church's masonry is made from nearly unusable stones, held together with lime plaster. The "Saint Sotiri" Church was declared a cultural monument on 30.05.1970 by the Ministry of Education and Culture. This church is attended only by former residents of the Kërçisht village who now live in Macedonia and come to perform religious rituals.
Also known as the "balcony of Maqellara," Kërçisht e Epërm is a village near the northern border of Macedonia, situated on the slopes of Mount Kërçini from which it takes its name, at an altitude of 2342 meters. It is part of the Korab-Koritnik Natural Park.
According to data published by the Committee for National Minorities in Albania, among the 50 villages with a concentration of Macedonian national minority, we find Kërçisht e Epërm and Kërçisht e Poshtme in the Peshkopia municipality. These areas came under Albanian rule in 1924-25 when borders were established.
During World War II, the Macedonian national minority took advantage of the historic moment and joined the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War in Albania. Based on the sacrifices made by Macedonian partisans in the Anti-Fascist War in Albania during World War II, in 1945, Macedonians were recognized as a national minority in the Prespa region and the village of Vërnik in the Devoll region in the Korçë District, as well as in the Golloborda region and the village of Kërçisht e Epërm in the Dibra District. In these areas, the Macedonian national minority gained the right to education in their own Macedonian language. Unfortunately, in the villages in the Golloborda region and the village of Kërçisht e Epërm in Maqellara, Macedonian language schools were only allowed until 1949.
Today, almost all of them have left. However, they gather every year on the first Saturday after Salvation Day at the Church of Saint Dimitri. Coexistence with the Muslim population has been and continues to be special. They have not only respected each other's faith but also formed close bonds. Agim and Ollga Miftari are one of the couples who demonstrate that despite their different beliefs, they have envisioned a future together and are now happy with the family they have created.
Whenever the sun rises and sets in the village of Kërçisht e Epërm, it's Rustemi who calls the Azan, the time for Muslim believers to pray. Today, the majority of residents in the village follow the Islamic faith. However, they take care of the five local churches just as they do with their own religious sites. Rustemi himself accompanies us to share the history of these churches.
The village of Kërçisht e Epërm in Maqellara is known for its five Byzantine churches: Kral Kërçini, Shën Spahia, Shën Dhimitri, Shën Sotir, and Shën Pobrazhi, located at the top of the hill. All five churches are shaped like a cross.
Only two of them are open to the public and can be visited, thanks to the continuous maintenance efforts by the local residents.
Saint Dimitri Church:
The largest church is the "Saint Dimitri" Church, which is said to have been built by local craftsmen in 1892 using stones and lime plaster and is characterized by Byzantine culture. The church has a wooden structure with a stone roof, and the ceiling is adorned with frescoes.
Inside, there are only a few religious objects, while the frescoes on the walls are somewhat damaged.
The Saint Dimitri Church was declared a cultural monument on 25.09.2007 by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Sports.
The local festival in the area is known as "Dita e Spasovden," also referred to as the Ascension Day, due to Christ's ascension, which marks the completion of the act of salvation. It is a distinctive celebration for those who follow the Orthodox faith.
The locals tell us that many believers from Tirana, Elbasan, Skopje, and Greater Dibra come here to celebrate. Near the "Saint Dimitri" Church, there are also graves that still have crosses in place.
During religious holidays, everyone would gather around each other's tables. It was hard to tell who was a Muslim and who was a Christian.
Another local resident, Nexhmedin Nurçe, who follows the Islamic faith, tells us that Orthodox believers also respected the rituals of their Muslim neighbors.
Saint Sotir Church:
In the center of the village stands the Church of Sveti Spas or "Saint Sotiri," built around 1270. It is simple, with only one window in its center.
The walls preserve frescoes that have been damaged, measuring 7m x 3.2m.
The church's masonry is made from nearly unusable stones, held together with lime plaster. The "Saint Sotiri" Church was declared a cultural monument on 30.05.1970 by the Ministry of Education and Culture. This church is attended only by former residents of the Kërçisht village who now live in Macedonia and come to perform religious rituals.
Also known as the "balcony of Maqellara," Kërçisht e Epërm is a village near the northern border of Macedonia, situated on the slopes of Mount Kërçini from which it takes its name, at an altitude of 2342 meters. It is part of the Korab-Koritnik Natural Park.
According to data published by the Committee for National Minorities in Albania, among the 50 villages with a concentration of Macedonian national minority, we find Kërçisht e Epërm and Kërçisht e Poshtme in the Peshkopia municipality. These areas came under Albanian rule in 1924-25 when borders were established.
During World War II, the Macedonian national minority took advantage of the historic moment and joined the National Liberation Anti-Fascist War in Albania. Based on the sacrifices made by Macedonian partisans in the Anti-Fascist War in Albania during World War II, in 1945, Macedonians were recognized as a national minority in the Prespa region and the village of Vërnik in the Devoll region in the Korçë District, as well as in the Golloborda region and the village of Kërçisht e Epërm in the Dibra District. In these areas, the Macedonian national minority gained the right to education in their own Macedonian language. Unfortunately, in the villages in the Golloborda region and the village of Kërçisht e Epërm in Maqellara, Macedonian language schools were only allowed until 1949.