st. Michael the Archangel's temple Church

Welcome to the village of Sulin, in the heart of Prešov region. Right now, you are standing before the temple of St. Michael the Archangel, which dominates the local landscape and bears the mark of the generations who lived here and formed their spiritual community. When you look ahead like that, you will see a diet that combines elegance and humility. The first element that naturally attracts your view is the built-in tower decorated by the Baroque mine. It is a detail that gives the whole complex a vertical dynamic and at the same time connects it with the traditional aesthetic line that we know from many historical places in our country. Let us now look together at how this temple was formed and how it went the way to reach its present form. The basic buildings date back to 1879. During this period it was built as a New Classicist church, although in its architecture you can see fine Baroque elements. Classicism then sought a return to pure lines and harmony, which is visible even when looking at the overall layout of the building. It is fascinating to think that for over a hundred forty years, this temple has been a witness to the changes that the village of Sulín and the entire region have undergone. If you now allow yourself to perceive the details of the exterior, note the tower that has undergone important repairs over time. In 1994, the church tower was completely repaired and its surface was covered with copper sheet metal. This material is not only a practical solution for the longevity of the building, but also gives it a specific visual character that naturally changes with time. Also note the northeast side of the temple, where sacristy was built in 1968, thus expanding the premises necessary for liturgical needs. Now I invite you to move on to the inside of the temple where the most precious of his spiritual and artistic wealth is hidden. When you cross the threshold and feel the silence of the interior, your view will be immediately attracted to the iconostasis. It is a three-row wooden iconostasis, which was founded in 1896. Iconostasis in Orthodox and Greek Catholic tradition is not only a simple ambush, but symbolizes the boundary between the earthly world and heavenly glory. This particular piece of artistic craft is decorated with paintings created by John Bogdansky. Watch the detailed images and note the so-called Tsar's doors, which are a key element of each iconostasis. It is important to realize that what you see today is the result of the constant maintenance and love of the locals for their temple. Iconostas underwent a complete reconstruction in 1987 to preserve its original values for future generations. Later, in 1995, other masters came to the aid. Carver Michal The hutník made a new golden wall and precise wooden ornaments that give the interior a feeling of grandeur and light. Gold in sacral architecture symbolizes divine light and eternity, which in combination with wood carving creates a deep contrast between the materiality of wood and the supernatural gloss of gold. Besides the iconostasis, you should not neglect another important element in the interior. Please see the polychrome classicistic pulpit. Polychrome means that the surface is decorated with a multicoloring colour, making it one of the most prominent visual points in the space. If you look closer to her stairs, you will see there a sign of the prophet's appearance. Such details indicate that each inch of this temple had its meaning and would remind believers of Bible stories and spiritual truths. If we stop at one point of interest that may not be apparent at first glance, it is the link of New Classicism and Baroqueism. While classicism calls for rationality and simplicity, the Baroque brings emotion and dynamism. In this temple, these two worlds meet in harmony. It is basically an architectural dialogue of two eras that creates a unique atmosphere of this place. So you are facing a building that is not only a set of walls and roofs, but a living archive of the history of the village of Sulín. From the construction of 1879 through the artistic benefits of John Bogdansky to the craft completion of Michal Hutník, each of these moments added a new layer to the temple identity. Now you can continue to explore this beautiful place in peace. I recommend you spend a moment quietly, bypass the temple around and look again at the copper cover of the tower against the sky. Let yourself be swallowed up by the atmosphere of this historical monument and see the peace that this space will take. Thank you for your attention and we wish you a pleasant next stay in Sulin.