View source for Monastery of the Holy Archangels

{{Short description|Monastery in Prizren, Kosovo}}
{{Expand Serbian|Манастир Светих Архангела (Призрен)|topic=struct|Since May 2009|date=December 2009}}
{{Infobox monastery
| name           = Monastery of the Holy Archangels
| image          = Erzengelkloster1.jpg
| caption        = Overview of the Monastery of the Holy Archangels
| full           = Monastery of the Holy Archangels
| other_names    = Holy Archangels; Monastery of the St. Archangels
| order          = [[Serbian Orthodox Church]]
| established    = 1352 (reestablished in 1998)
| disestablished = 1615
| diocese        = [[Eparchy of Raška and Prizren]]
| churches       = 
| founder        = [[Stefan Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia]], [[Serbian Emperor]]
| dedication     = Saint Archangels
| people         = 
| location       = Near [[Prizren]], [[Kosovo]]
| map_type       = Kosovo
| coord          = {{coord|42|12|1|N|20|45|49|E|region:RS_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| oscoor         = 
| remains        = Reconstructed Abbot's Lodge, remains of the churches of St. Nicolas, and Saint Archangels, remains of the monumental refectory, parts of the entry tower, and reconstructed medieval bridge over the [[Prizren Bistrica]] river.
| public_access  = Limited
| heritage_designation= [[Monuments of Culture of Exceptional Importance (Serbia)|Monuments of Culture of Exceptional Importance]]
}}

The '''Monastery of the Holy Archangels''' ({{langx|sr|Манастир Светих Архангела|Manastir Svetih Arhangela}}; {{langx|sq|Manastiri i Arkangjelit të Shenjtë}}) is a [[Serbian Orthodox]] [[monastery]] located in [[Prizren]], [[Kosovo]]. The monastery was founded by the Serbian Emperor [[Stefan Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia|Stefan Dušan]] (reigned 1331–1355) between 1343 and 1352 on the site of an earlier church, part of the [[Višegrad (Bistrički)|Višegrad fortress complex]]. It was the burial church for Emperor Dušan, and represented the culmination of the [[Serbian art|Serbian ecclesiastical architectural style]], that led to the birth of the [[Morava school]] style.

The complex, which ranges over 6,500 [[Square metre|m²]], includes two churches, the main one is dedicated to the Holy Archangels (where Dušan's tomb lied), and the second one is dedicated to [[St. Nicholas]], both built in the [[Rascian architecture|Rascian architectural style]]. The monastery was looted and destroyed after the [[Ottoman Turks|Ottomans]] arrived in 1455, and in 1615 it was razed to the ground and its material was used for the construction of the [[Sinan Pasha Mosque (Prizren)|Sinan Pasha Mosque, Prizren]].

The entire complex was [[Excavation (archaeology)|archeologically explored]] in 1927, and its remains were conserved after the [[Second World War]]. During the last decade of the 20th century, work on the reconstruction was continued, and in 1998 it again became an active male monastery. After the [[1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia]] and retreat of the [[Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslav]] army forces, reconstructed objects were burned and looted in June 1999, by members of the [[Kosovo Liberation Army]] (KLA), after the [[Kosovo Force]] (KFOR) arrived. During the [[2004 unrest in Kosovo]], the monastery was burned and looted again. The entire monastery complex is under protection of the [[Serbia|Republic of Serbia]], as a [[Monument of Culture of Great Importance]]. One priest lives in the monastery which is under constant protection of Kosovo police in a special protection zone.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

==Location==
[[File:Prizren Manastir SvetiArhandjeli.JPG|left|thumb|250px|Complex of the monastery]]
The monastery complex is built in the smaller plateau in the [[Prizrens Bistrica]] canyon, approximately 2.5&nbsp;km southeast of Prizren. The plateau is in a peninsula, surrounded by the river from the three sides, while on the fourth southeastern side it is surrounded by sharp [[Rock (geology)|rocks]], on top of which is the fortified [[citadel]] of [[Višegrad (Bistrički)|Višegrad]]. At the time of its construction there was a [[Trade route|caravan road]] nearby the Prizren Bistrica, which connected [[Skopje]] with Prizren (then [[Capitals of Serbia|capital of Serbia]]), over [[Kaçanik]], [[Sirinić|Sirinićka Župa]] and [[Sredska, Kosovo|Sredačka Župa]],<ref name=Jovanovic-Archangels>{{harvnb|Jovanović|loc=Introduction}}</ref> and it is likely that the road was passing right through the monastery.<ref name=Deroko/>

==History==
[[File:Sveti Arhangeli Fragmenti1.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Stone fragments]]

===Prehistory of the complex===

During archeological excavation of the monastery complex, the oldest findings are dated from the [[Eneolithic|Eneolithic age]], while it is evident that in the [[La Tène culture|early Iron Age]] there was a settlement. During [[Classical antiquity|classical period]], settlement was disbanded, and later during the 4th, 5th and 6th centuries was again founded and it was late classical period or early Byzantine village, which was surrounded by a late antique wall, but that still has not been scientifically confirmed.

After this period, there are findings from the 10th, 11th and 12th centuries, when it is considered that the original medieval fortress (which then included only the five-cornered citadel on the hill above the monastery) was built in the 12th century.<ref>{{cite book|author=Предраг Ђидић|title=Тврђаве и остаци утврђених градова|location=Belgrade|year=2008|isbn=9788690842728}}{{page needed|date=July 2012}}</ref> Dušan's grandfather, [[Stefan Uroš II Milutin of Serbia|King Milutin]] (1282–1321), donated a small fort of [[Višegrad (Bistrički)|Višegrad]] with a church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Prizren. It was donated as a refuge in case of war, as, later, [[Maglič]] was a shelter of the [[Serbian Orthodox Church|Serbian archbishop]] from [[Žiča]]. Later, Dušan gave three villages to a bishop of Prizren in return from the fortress of Višegrad,<ref name=Milinkovic-Archangels>{{harvnb|Milinković|1996|pages=208–219}}</ref> which was subsequently submitted to a monastery, connecting them into a whole with a [[defensive wall]].

===Foundation and early history===

The Monastery was the pious endowment of Emperor Dušan, built at the site of an older church dedicated to the Holy Archangels, that had been known for its miraculous powers.<ref name=Kosovo.net-Archangels>{{harvnb|Kosovo.net|loc=Holy Archangels Monastery page}}</ref><ref name=Studija>{{cite report|first1=Zoran |last1=Garić |first2=Svetlana |last2=Hadžić |url=http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/Regional/SEE/IRPPSAAH/FS/FS_KosovoUNMIK_MonasteryHolyArchangels_Prizren_APP.pdf |title=Monastery of the Holy Archangels – Prizren |publisher=Council of Europe |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215201556/http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/Regional/SEE/IRPPSAAH/FS/FS_KosovoUNMIK_MonasteryHolyArchangels_Prizren_APP.pdf |archive-date=February 15, 2009 }}</ref> [[Jacob of Serres|Metropolitan Jacob (Jakov Serski)]] was responsible for the construction of the monastery,<ref name=Kosovo.net-Archangels/> which began planning in 1343, according to Dušan's St. Peter of Koriša-charter dated 19 May the same year.<ref name=Markovic-1920>{{harvnb|Marković|1920|pages=X}}</ref> After Dušan's recovery from a serious illness, he decided to raise the Monastery on this site, as a place of healing and in gratitude to Christ and the Archangels Michael and Gabriel.<ref name=Jovanovic-Archangels/><ref name=Studija/> It was consecrated in the fall of 1347, as Dušan prepared a trip on 1 August to attend the consecration, and in December he was at [[Mount Athos]].<ref name=Markovic-1920/> The church construction began in 1348,<ref name=Milinkovic-Archangels/> supervised by Metropolitan Jacob, who later became a [[bishop]] in [[Serres]]. The main work was finished early in 1348, as known from a letter from a [[Republic of Venice|Venetian]] merchant from [[Trepča Mines|Trepča]], dated 24 March 1348, where he complained that he could not sell the [[lead]] from the Trepča mine, since the head of the mine received direct order that he, by the cost of his life, could not sell lead to anyone, except the abbot of the Monastery to cover the roof.<ref name=Markovic-1920/> The founding charter accompanied the [[Dušan's Code]], upon its promulgation at a state council on May 21, 1349, in Skopje.<ref>{{harvnb|Ćirković|2004|p=68}}</ref> It is believed that the construction of the monastery church, supporting facilities and protective walls ended in 1352, and at the time of its establishment, it housed some 200 monks and the Metropolitan.<ref name=Kosovo.net-Archangels/>

In the founding charter, Dushan gave to the monastery tax farming rights over 93 villages, 7 churches and their congregation and property (fertile land, [[vineyard]]s, and oil-lamps), an iron mine in [[Toplica District|Toplica]], 467 ''[[Vlachs|Vlach]]'' households (shepherds), 8 [[Albanians|Albanian]] ''katund'', and a number of craftsmen, including goldsmiths.<ref name=Kosovo.net-Archangels/><ref name=Markovic-1920/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Janićijević |first1=Jovan |title=The cultural treasury of Serbia |date=1998 |publisher=1998 |page=512 |isbn=9788675470397 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rHYMAQAAMAAJ}}</ref> The households and communities which were to pay taxes to the monastery lived in an area that stretched from the [[Šar Mountains]] to the [[Adriatic Sea]].<ref name=Kosovo.net-Archangels/><ref name=Markovic-1920/> Although the number of granted villages were less than those of King Milutin to his endowment at [[Banjska monastery|Banjska]], the Archangels' Monastery had a territory that was richer and more advanced.<ref name=Markovic-1920/> The Prizren customs and market's revenue belonged to the Monastery, and cooking oil arrived from Bar and fish from [[Lake Skadar|Skadar]] and [[Lake Plav|Plav]], as well as [[salt]], [[silk]], [[wine]], [[honey]] and [[wax]].<ref name=Jovanovic-Archangels/><ref name=Kosovo.net-Archangels/><ref name="Šumadinac">{{cite web|work=Sumadinac.de |url=http://www.sumadinac.de/manastiri/manastiri_arhangeli.htm |title=Holy Archangels |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226033904/http://www.sumadinac.de/manastiri/manastiri_arhangeli.htm |archive-date=December 26, 2008 }}</ref> Master builders such as Petros, Vojislav, Srđan, Noš and Vojihna were given to the Monastery, and are believed to have participated in the building of the Monastery.<ref name=Kosovo.net-Archangels/>

[[File:Erzengelkloster1.jpg|thumb|450px|right|View of the monastery complex from the air:<br> (''left'' above) Part of the renewed dormitory (burned during the [[2004 unrest in Kosovo|2004 March unrest]])<br> (''up'') remains the church of St. Nicholas<br> (''middle'') Remains of Church of the Holy Archangel<br> (''right'') remains a monumental dining<br> (''down'') remains of the entrance tower and reconstructed stone bridge across the Bistrica]]

A [[hospital]] was also built within the complex.<ref>[http://www.rastko.rs/rastko/delo/14014 Удео хришћанства у развоју европске и српске медицине Средњег века], "Поред обнављања и проширења болнице у Хиландару, цар Душан је подигао болницу и у својој задужбини, манастиру св. Арханђела код Призрена 1342. године. Она је служила само за лечење калуђера, док се у њој нису смела лечити изнемогла и лица оболела од трајних обољења. Из овога јасно произилази да је ово била установа искључиво здравственог карактера и да није служила као склониште за сиромахе и дефектне особе. Ова појава је била ретка на Западу, где су болнице у почетку осниване да служе као прихватилишта за сиромахе."</ref> The charter stated the provision of compulsory treatment of sick people.<ref name=Jovanovic-Archangels/>

The Monastery represented the culmination of the [[Serbian art|Serbian ecclesiastical architectural style]] that led to the birth of the [[Morava school]] style.<ref name=Studija/> Inside the complex, which ranges over approximately 6,500 [[Square metre|m²]],<ref name=Kosovo.net-Archangels/> are two churches, dedicated to the Holy Archangels (which was Dušan's tomb), and [[Saint Nicholas]], both built in the [[Rascian architecture|Rascian architectural style]], although, like [[Visoki Dečani]] monastery, regarding time of the construction, and some architectural elements, it may belong to the [[Vardar school|Vardar architectural style]].<ref name="Deroko">{{cite book|last=Deroko|first=Aleksandar|author-link=Aleksandar Deroko|title=Монументална и декоративна архитектура у средњевековној Србији|location=Belgrade [Београд]|year=1985}}</ref>

After his death on 20 December 1355, Emperor Dušan was buried in a separate tomb, located in the southwestern part of the [[nave]] of the Church of the Saint Archangels, which is a unique solution of the Serbian architecture. During the [[fall of the Serbian Empire]], the monastery served as a refuge for [[Republic of Ragusa|Ragusan]] merchants from Prizren, who left town in fear of [[Nikola Altomanović]] (1366–1373),<ref name=Markovic-1920/> and two years later it came to the settlement of the Serbian and [[Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarch]].<ref name=Milinkovic-Archangels/> Then the grave of Dušan Serbian and Greek priests performed a joint service and remove the [[Anathema]] from the Dušan, and the monastery dwelt at one time and [[Serbian Patriarch]] [[Ephraim of Serbia|Ephraim]] (1375–1380, 1389–1392).<ref name=Kosovo.net-Archangels/> In one [[Chronicle]] were mentioned fields from other quarters 15th century and, according to the monastery's church there under the sun''straight''<ref name=Markovic-1920/> to her artistic process and the beauty beyond Church of Christ Pantocrator in Dečani,<ref name=Jovanovic-Archangels/> and especially emphasizes it is covered under the [[mosaic]]s<ref name=Jovanovic-Archangels/><ref name=Markovic-1920/> the highest reach of the Serbian medieval architecture in this field.<ref name="Deroko"/> The same record states that are then discussed to no longer anywhere to be found ''Pathos of Prizren, [[Dečani Monastery|Dečani]] church, [[Patriarchal Monastery of Peć|Peć]] narthex, [[Banjska monastery|Banjska]] gold and [[Resava School|Resava writings]]'',<ref name=Markovic-1920/> which are symbolically represented the most significant limits of the Serbian state at the time.

===Ottoman rule===
[[File:Prizren kossovo.jpg|thumb|300px|left|[[Sinan Pasha Mosque, Prizren|Sinan Pasha Mosque]], built from the remains of the Saint Archangels Monastery.<ref name="UNESCO"/>]]
[[File:Kryeengjujt 1927.jpg|thumb|right|Photo Of moanastery from 1927]]
After the capture of Prizren and its surroundings in 1455 by the [[Ottoman Empire]], the monastery was looted and destroyed.<ref name=Milinkovic-Archangels/> The monastic community did not stop, but the complex had lost its old glory and was in constant decline. At the beginning of the 17th century, a systematic demolition was conducted on the monastery churches as to obtain construction material for [[Sofi Sinan Pasha]]'s [[Sinan Pasha Mosque, Prizren|Mosque in the center of Prizren]], which was finished in 1615,<ref name="UNESCO">{{cite web|url=http://portal.unesco.org/es/files/20059/10826463791Pages_65-77_KOSOVO_report_distilled.pdf/Pages+65-77+KOSOVO_report_distilled.pdf|title=Cultural Heritage in Kosovo|publisher=UNESCO|access-date=6 August 2010}}</ref> and is part of [[Republic of Serbia|Serbia]]'s [[Monuments of Culture of Exceptional Importance (Serbia)|Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance]]-heritage list, added in 1990.<ref name="Spom"/>

During the following centuries I site was further destroyed the remaining delivery of construction materials for the building, as buildings in the Prizren, and ordinary houses and time are the remains of former buildings buried layers of the country.{{clarify|date=May 2011}} Nonetheless, the position remained famous monasteries in the surrounding people, so that the entire area to be hit occasionally found [[robbery]] from which ruins were dig up in search of hidden treasures of the monastery.<ref name="Studija"/>

Some of the folk traditions of the monastic treasures are crossing the border [[fantasy]] and the other recorded the legend of [[gemstone]] that decorated the top of [[cross]] and the central dome. According to her, he sparkled so great, that man could by dark night thirty kilometers to go to North but, to the [[Švanjski Bridge]], which is located at [[Gradište at Švanjskog Bridge|old fort]], as in the middle of broad daylight.<ref name=Kosovo.net-Archangels/>

The local [[Serbs|Serb population]] is gathered twice a year in the monastery ruins in summer (26 June) and autumn (21 November) on monastery [[Slava (tradition)|Slava]] day (Holy Archangels).<ref name=Kosovo.net-Archangels/> According to one travel writer, the service began during the [[night]] and so that only [[Light]] provided the burning [[candle]]s, while the people and clergy in the [[prayer]] welcomed the dawn.<ref name=Kosovo.net-Archangels/>

===Research during the twentieth century===
The first archaeological excavations of the site were carried out in 1927 by Dr Radoslav Grujić, with help of the Ministry of Religion and the army and navy. During that research, several objects were detected in the area of the [[Prizren Bistrica|Bistrica]]:<ref name=Jovanovic-Archangels/><ref name=Milinkovic-Archangels/>
* The main church dedicated to the [[Saint Archangels|Holy Archangels]]
* A small church dedicated to [[St. Nicholas]]
* Part of the dormitory and other buildings along the rampart near the Bistrica

In the area of [[Višegrad (Bistrički)|Višegrad]], only a small research was conducted, in which the church dedicated to St. Nicholas and several other buildings were found. Inside the main church they found the remains of the imperial tomb, in which were supposedly the bones of Emperor Dušan. Two years later Dušan's remains were transferred to [[Belgrade]] and buried in a separate [[coffin]] in the [[St. Mark's Church, Belgrade|St. Mark's Church]], up until the full restoration of the monastery.

The found parts of the famous [[mosaic]] flooring, decorative plastic and [[painting]]s were transferred to the [[Museum of Macedonia|Museum of Southern Serbia (now Museum of Macedonia)]] in [[Skopje]], where they are still located, but it is not known where the other artifacts which are mentioned in Grujić's reports are, thus they are today considered permanently lost,<ref name=Milinkovic-Archangels/> In addition, parts of mosaic floor were further damaged during the transport to Skopje.<ref name=Deroko/>

Shortly before the 1926 excavations, the first [[Hydroelectric power plant]] in [[Kosovo and Metohija]], ''[[Prizrenka]]'', was built next to the monastery complex, completed in 1928, which was active until the 1960s, while today it is under state protection as a [[monument]].<ref>{{CHS-SANU|Link=365|Name=ХИДРО-ЕЛЕКТРАНА "ПРИЗРЕНКА"}}</ref>

[[File:Grave of Emperor Dušan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Marble slab on the grave site of Emperor Dušan]]
After [[World War II]], research on the complex was continued from 1961 to 1965, with parallel conservation work undergone. The research team was headed by Dr Slobodan Nenadović.{{Who|date=November 2016}} During this period he researched the eastern and northeastern part of the plateau near the Bistrica river, which revealed most of the dormitory, and the dining room. Upon completion of works, a marble slab was placed on the site of Dušan's tomb. The head of the subsequent research team, Mihailo Milinković,{{Who|date=November 2016}} presented serious objections to the methods of research in this period, which in his opinion, were only of the architectural character and were not in accordance with the principles of archaeological practice. In addition, he pointed out that the material were not singled out and preserved, but with the rest of the material thrown into the Bistrica.<ref name=Milinkovic-Archangels/> On the western entrance to the monastery complex, a stone bridge was built in 1968 which connected the monastery plateau with the main road that passes the second bank of the river, and during 1970's work on [[Architectural conservation|conservation]] and [[Building restoration|restoration]] were continued.<ref name="Studija"/>

In early 1990s, an idea about the restoration of the entire monastery complex emerged, for which one of the prerequisites for carrying out was further archaeological research in this area. During the 1992, the excavations were carried out, after which, over the next two years, an extensive systematic protection research was done, led by Dr Milinković.

===Rehabilitation of spiritual life and attacks on the monastery===
[[File:01-SvetiArhandjeli.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Renewed monastery dormitory burned down during the [[2004 unrest in Kosovo]] and container for housing the monks]]
Restoration of the monastery guest house with a workshop and a chapel dedicated to [[Nikolaj (Velimirović)|St. Nikolaj of Žiča]],<ref name=Kosovo.net-Archangels/> began in 1995, and the work was completed in 1998 when the monastery again became an active male monastery. Restoration of one dormitory was the beginning of the reconstructional project and its complete conversion to the seat of [[Eparchy of Raška and Prizren]].<ref name="Koreni">{{cite web|url=http://www.koreni.net/broj37/pogrom.htm|author=Koreni|title=Pogrom|language=sr}}</ref>

The following year, after the [[NATO bombing of Yugoslavia]], [[Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]] recalled security forces from the [[AP Kosovo and Metohija|southern Serbian province]]. Only a few days after [[Germans|German]] [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]] units had been dispatched, members of the Kosovo Liberation Army burned and looted the restored residence, and one of the monks, Father Chariton, was kidnapped in Prizren, in mid-June 1999. His decapitated body was found in the summer of 2000 in Prizren, and he was buried in the [[Crna Reka Monastery|Crna Reka monastery]], where he had become a monk, while his head was never found.<ref name=Koreni/><ref name=GlasJavnosti-02.07.2005/><ref name=Danas/> The remaining monastic brotherhood left the monastery after his kidnapping, but returned after a month to bury his remains.

The monastery refectory was restored with the help of local [[Serbs]] from [[Sredska, Kosovo|Sredska]] and [[Sirinić]], so that the celebration of the 650th anniversary of the monastery could take place, on 26 July 2002, attended by almost 1,000 Serbs. This milestone was not without incident, since [[Albanians]] in Prizren organized protests against their arrival, and a [[bomb]] exploded in the fortress of Višegrad.<ref name="Danas">{{cite web|first=J.|last=Tasić|publisher=Danas|url=http://www.danas.co.yu/20050727/hronika3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510095309/http://www.danas.co.yu/20050727/hronika3.html|archive-date=2008-05-10|title=Mir i sloboda su svima potrebni (Мир и слобода су свима потребни)|trans-title=Peace and freedom are needed for everybody|date=27 July 2005}}</ref>

During the [[2004 unrest in Kosovo]], the monastery complex was again under attack by Albanian extremists, despite the fact that it was secured by the nearby KFOR base. The entire residence was burned and destroyed, including the bell tower and the woodcut workshop, a panel was badly damaged and the tomb of Emperor Dušan was broken and desecrated.<ref>{{cite web|first=Ognjan|last=Radulović|publisher=Илустрована Политика|url=http://www.ilustrovana.com/2004/2359/4.htm|title=Vekovi u plamenu|trans-title=Centuries in flames|access-date=8 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319180231/http://www.ilustrovana.com/2004/2359/4.htm|archive-date=19 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The monastic brotherhood of the Monastery was previously evacuated, but returned in April and continued to live in a [[tent]] container that KFOR provided. After that, local Serbs again helped with the restoration, finishing the southeastern part of the dormitory by November the same year.<ref name="Studija"/>

On 26 July 2005, the celebration of the Monastery [[Krsna Slava|''Slava'']] (patron saint protector) and the 650th anniversary of the Emperor's death was organized with the protection of KFOR forces. The celebration was attended by hundreds of Serbs, among whom were present church dignitaries and state officials, and the whole celebration was broadcast live by [[Radio Television of Serbia|Serbian State Television (RTS)]].<ref name="Danas"/>

In addition, a large reproduction of [[Paja Jovanović]]'s "Crowning of Emperor Dušan", and a [[Flag of Serbia|Serbian flag]] were added to the renovated guest house. In May 2007, a published study on reconstruction of the entire monastery complex estimated about 10 years and 8.326 million [[Euro|EUR]] for the completion of the Monastery.<ref name=Studija/>

=== Modern ===
The entire complex was [[Excavation (archaeology)|archaeologically explored]] in 1927, and its remains were conserved after the [[Second World War]]. During the last decade of the 20th century work on the reconstruction was continued, and in 1998 it again became an active male monastery.<ref name="Studija"/> After the [[1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia]] and retreat of the [[Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslav]] army forces, reconstructed objects were burned and looted in June 1999, by members of the [[Kosovo Liberation Army]] (KLA), after the [[Kosovo Force]] (KFOR) arrived.<ref name=GlasJavnosti-02.07.2005>[http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs/arhiva/2005/07/02/srpski/D05070102.shtml Без пратње само до Сиринићке жупе]'' (''Глас Јавности''), 2 July 2005; accessed 8 November 2016.{{in lang|sr}}</ref>

During the [[2004 unrest in Kosovo]], the monastery was burned and looted again.<ref name=GlasJavnosti-02.07.2005/> The entire complex is under protection of the [[Serbia|Republic of Serbia]], as a [[Monument of Culture of Great Importance]].<ref name="Spom">[http://www.kultura.gov.rs/?p=901 Cultural monuments of exceptional significance] {{in lang|sr}}</ref><ref name="SANU">[http://spomenicikulture.mi.sanu.ac.rs/spomenik.php?id=329 Monument of Culture in Serbia - ''Saint Archangels Monastery''], SANU.ac.rs; accessed 8 November 2016. {{in lang|sr}}</ref> The monastery houses one priest and is under protection by the Kosovo police in a special protection zone<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vetevendosje.org/?cid=1,3,1907|title=Lëvizja Vetëvendosje!|publisher=vetevendosje.org|access-date=8 November 2016}}</ref><ref>[http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs/arhiva/2005/07/02/srpski/D05070102.shtml Божић прослављен у матици и расељању], glas-javnosti.rs; accessed 8 November 2016.{{in lang|sr}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Serbian Orthodox monasteries]]
* [[Sinaites in Serbia]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin|2}}
* {{cite book | last=Ćirković | first=Sima M. | author-link=Sima Ćirković | title=The Serbs | publisher=Wiley-Blackwell | year=2004 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sJJWEnXTHdIC | isbn=0-631-20471-7 }}
*{{cite web |last=Jovanović|first=Vojislav|url=http://www.iustinian.org/Arhandjeli/english.htm|title=МАНАСТИР СВЕТИХ АРХАНЂЕЛА КОД ПРИЗРЕНА|trans-title=Monastery of the Holy Archangels near Prizren|access-date=2012-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223232205/http://www.iustinian.org/Arhandjeli/english.htm|archive-date=2012-02-23|url-status=dead}}
*{{cite book|first=Vasilije|last=Marković|title=Pravoslavno monaštvo i manastiri u srednjevekovnoj Srbiji|publisher=Srpska Manastirska Štamp.|location=Sremski Karlovci|year=1920|url=https://archive.org/details/pravoslavnomonat00mark}}
*{{cite journal|last=Milinković|first=Mihailo|url=http://www.iustinian.org/Arhandjeli/srpski.htm|trans-title=New archeological excavation of St. Archangel complex near Prizren|script-title=sr:НОВА АРХЕОЛОШКА ИСТРАЖИВАЊА КОМПЛЕКСА СВ. АРХАНЂЕЛА КОД ПРИЗРЕНА|journal=Гласник Српског Археолошког друштва 11|pages=208–224|year=1996|location=Belgrade|language=sr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007113433/http://www.iustinian.org/Arhandjeli/srpski.htm|archive-date=2011-10-07}}
*{{cite web|author=Kosovo.net|title=Holy Archangels Monastery|url=http://www.kosovo.net/esarhangel.html}}
* {{Cite book|last1=Ferrari|first1=Silvio|last2=Benzo|first2=Andrea|title=Between Cultural Diversity and Common Heritage: Legal and Religious Perspectives on the Sacred Places of the Mediterranean|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lhUGDAAAQBAJ|year=2014|publisher=Routledge|location=London & New York|isbn=9781317175032}}

{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090423063841/http://iustinian.org/Arhandjeli/glavna.htm Манастир Светих Арханђела]
*[http://www.spcportal.org/index.php?pg=1675&lang=en Ras-Prizren Diocese]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100825150709/http://drustvo-svetiarhangel.org/manastirc.html Saint Archangels Monastery]
*[http://www.kosovo.net/esarhangel.html Holy Archangels Monastery]
*[http://www.kosovo.net/arhangels.html History of the Holy Archangels' Monastery]

{{Cultural Heritage of Exceptional Importance}}
{{Serbian Orthodox Church}}

[[Category:Serbian Orthodox monasteries in Kosovo]]
[[Category:14th-century Serbian Orthodox church buildings]]
[[Category:Christian monasteries established in the 1350s]]
[[Category:Stefan Dušan]]
[[Category:Cultural Monuments of Exceptional Importance (Serbia)]]
[[Category:Medieval Serbian sites in Kosovo]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Kosovo]]
[[Category:Ruined abbeys and monasteries]]
[[Category:1352 establishments in Europe]]
[[Category:Destroyed churches in Kosovo]]
[[Category:Nemanjić dynasty endowments]]
[[Category:Churches in Prizren]]
[[Category:Cultural heritage of Kosovo]]
[[Category:Patriarchate of Peć]]