Saint Nicholas Church, Serbian Orthodox church in Vrlika, Croatia.
Saint Nicholas Church is a Serbian Orthodox church in Vrlika, the oldest religious building in the town, erected in 1618. A bell tower was added and consecrated in 1801 by hieromonk Vikentija (Stojisavljević) of Dragović monastery, and the iconostasis dates from the mid-19th century. Renovations from 2015 brought new doors, windows, a metal staircase to the bell tower and a restored exterior facade.
Built in 1618, Saint Nicholas Church is the oldest religious building in Vrlika. A bell tower was added and consecrated in 1801 by hieromonk Vikentija of Dragović Monastery, and the iconostasis dates from the mid-19th century. On 28 May 1972 it was severely damaged by fire and restored on 26 May 1974; explosives were planted around it several times between 1990 and 1991. Renovations from 2015 included new doors, windows, a metal staircase to the bell tower and a restored facade, funded by about 100,000 euros raised by Vrlika's Orthodox faithful worldwide.
The Easter custom Čuvari Hristovog Groba ("Guardians of Christ's Grave") is first recorded in the church books in 1764. Oral tradition holds that it was brought to Vrlika from Jerusalem in the 16th century. During Holy Week, local men in ceremonial dress stand watch over a representation of Christ's tomb.
Religious services are held regularly with special celebrations on Saint Nicholas Day on December 6th, and the church underwent extensive renovations in 2015 funded by donations from the global Serbian Orthodox community.
This church celebrated its 400th anniversary in August 2018 with a gathering of Serbian Orthodox faithful from around the world, making it one of the few religious sites to reach such a milestone in this region.
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