PREPARATIONS FOR FRESCO PAINTING DOME AND CHURCH VAULTS UNDERWAY

ISTOČNA ILIDŽA, FEBRUARY 4 /SRNA/ – Preliminary works at the Church of St. Basil of Ostrog in Veljine, Istočna Ilidža, for painting the dome and vaults of the church are underway, marking the beginning of the most demanding and largest phase of decorating this church.

The parish priest Dražen Delić told SRNA that the works are being carried out with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Hrizostom of Sarajevo–Srebrenica and Metropolitan of Dabar-Bosnia.

Delić explained that preliminary works are currently being carried out for painting the dome and the vaults beneath it, which represent the most demanding and at the same time the largest section of fresco painting in a church.

"First, the walls must be prepared, because frescoes are painted on plaster. The walls need to be stripped and properly prepared so that the fresco painters can begin their part of the work. In total, more than 200 square meters of fresco painting will be completed," Delić said.

According to him, the fresco painting is being carried out by three fresco painters from Serbia, headed by master painter Darko Živković.

Speaking about deadlines, Delić emphasized that artistic work is difficult to limit by strict time frames, but that there is hope the works will be completed by the church’s patron saint day.

"We cannot strictly time-limit the artists, because this is art and requires a special approach. Still, with God's blessing, we hope that by the patron saint day of the Church of St. Basil of Ostrog -May 12 - we will bring the works to completion," Delić said.

After the dome and vaults are painted, the next phases of the fresco work, according to Delić, will include the naos, nave, and narthex of the church, so these works are planned to be carried out in two, possibly three phases, including the painting of the gallery.

Delić emphasized that until the completion of works in this holy site, church services will be held in the Memorial Church of St. Demetrius, located within the church court.

Regarding other projects, Delić says that a project has been completed for fencing the churchyard, which will create a unified spiritual space and a distinct enclosure.

"Our intention this year is also to build a fountain in the churchyard, as well as to continue works on the parish house, where the installation of heating and ventilation in the large hall is planned. All of these works are being carried out thanks to the donations of our faithful people," Delić said.

He called on believers to continue, as they have so far, to respond and take part in this great God-pleasing and historic endeavor, because a church is fresco-painted only once.

"We have many people who joyfully and lovingly participate, first in worship services, and then in every effort to beautify our church, churchyard, and parish house," Delić noted.