Church of the Theotokos Pandonos: An Orthodox Parish Church in Ohrid
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.7
- Popularity
- Very Low
- Country
- North Macedonia
- Primary era
- Medieval
- External website
- Open
- Eras represented
- Medieval
- Civilizations
- Unclassified
- Site type
- Religious
- Remains
- Church
History
The Church of the Theotokos Pandonos, also known as Pantanasa or Pandonos, is an active Orthodox church in Ohrid, North Macedonia. It stands in the city’s old quarter and was built on the foundations of an earlier medieval church. Dedicated to the Theotokos, a title for the Virgin Mary meaning “God-bearer” or “Mother of God,” the church has the Virgin as its patron.
The church belongs to the First Ohrid Parish under the Debar–Kicevo Metropolitanate of the Macedonian Orthodox Church–Archbishopric of Ohrid. A parish is a local church community, while a metropolitanate is an ecclesiastical jurisdiction overseeing several parishes. Its ecclesiastical deanery is Ohrid.
The building occupies a historic position on Kuzman Kapidan Street, beside Ohrid’s old walls and immediately above the ancient theater. The name Pantanasa comes from a related Greek title for the Virgin Mary, meaning “All-Queen.” Inside, fresco painting is concentrated in the altar area, where the principal image depicts the Virgin Mary. A carved inscription is positioned above the entrance.
