{"id":207462,"date":"2026-04-13T15:43:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T13:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/?p=207462"},"modified":"2026-04-13T15:43:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T13:43:32","slug":"among-the-oldest-holy-places-in-serbia-this-church-was-built-by-the-byzantine-emperor-justinian-it-suffered-many-times-and-it-was-restored-by-the-serbian-soldier-zivojin-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/among-the-oldest-holy-places-in-serbia-this-church-was-built-by-the-byzantine-emperor-justinian-it-suffered-many-times-and-it-was-restored-by-the-serbian-soldier-zivojin-video\/","title":{"rendered":"AMONG THE OLDEST HOLY PLACES IN SERBIA: This church was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, it suffered many times, and it was restored by the Serbian soldier \u017divojin! (VIDEO)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On Komiga hill, above the village of Orljane near Ni\u0161, lies the Church of St. John\u2014a holy site that has resisted destruction for centuries but continues to live through the faith of the people. According to tradition, its foundations date back to the time of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, making it one of the most significant historical and spiritual places in this part of Serbia.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Priest Dragan Stankovi\u0107 explains, this church held not only religious but also strategic importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“This is a place built by Emperor Justinian so that the Morava Valley, through which an important imperial road passed, could be defended from this point. At the same time, it served as protection for Justiniana Prima against bandit raids,” says Stankovi\u0107.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout its turbulent history, the church was damaged multiple times. It was restored as early as the 11th century, and traces of different eras are still visible on its walls today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Even today, we can see the difference in the bricks\u2014the thinner ones date from the time of Emperor Basil, while the larger ones are from the 19th century. This clearly shows how many times it has been restored,” explains Stankovi\u0107.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It suffered particularly during the Serbian-Turkish wars when it was directly on the front line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The Serbian position was here, while the Turkish cannons were below. The southern part of the church was shelled, a wall was demolished, as well as the dome that once existed,” he states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The vow of the soldier who restored the church<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most interesting stories related to this holy site is the story of the soldier \u017divojin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“He stood guard here during the shelling and prayed to God to survive. He vowed that he would restore the church if he remained alive. And indeed, after surviving, he began the restoration which lasted from 1885 to 1892,” says Stankovi\u0107.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that the church was then re-consecrated, and the tradition of gathering believers continues to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Even today, a large number of believers gather here on the eve of the feast of the birth of St. John. This is a special event for this region,” he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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