Description: The Church of the Holy Mother of God is situated in the village of Dabnište,16 km south of Kavadarci, Republic of N. Macedonia. The church most likely stands on an older cult site, as indicated by the results of the excavations along the eastern wall of the church. These excavations revealed remnants of an older apse from a previous church. The present-day appearance of the church in Dabnište is the result of a significant reconstruction undertaken during the 19th century. The remains of the older structure of the Church of the Holy Mother of God are insufficient to carry out a complete reconstruction of its original appearance. Based on the preserved sections of the older construction, this church is categorized within the group of single-naved churches that were prevalent during the 13th century on the territory of Byzantine Macedonia. The frescoes have been preserved within the altar apse.
Architecture
First phase of construction: During archaeological investigations in 1964, remains of an apse from an earlier church were discovered. The 13th-century church was constructed upon the foundations (or remnants) of a pre-existing church building.
Dating: before the 13th century
Second phase of construction: The parts of the church in Dabnište that can be attributed to the 13th-century construction are modest. The reconstruction of the original appearance is based on the southeastern section of the church, where the most significant portions of the older structure have been preserved. The wall is primarily constructed using a mixed technique of masonry - both stone and brick. The apse is internally semicircular, while originally pentagonal on the outside, and after the 19th-century renovation, it became polygonal. On the apse, as well as on the southern wall, several bands of simplified meanders, executed with vertically arranged bricks, partially or entirely appear. Most likely, the church had an elevated transverse barrel vault over the middle of the naos. The architectural type featuring an elevated transverse barrel vault was most likely transmitted to Macedonia from Epirus.
Parallels: Church of Saint Demetrios in Prilep (third phase of construction); Saint John Kaneo in Ohrid; Church of Saint Eliah in the village of Grnčari
Dating: the last quarter of the 13th century
Painted Decoration
Second Layer: The frescoes have been preserved within the altar apse.
Parallels: Church of St. Nicholas in the village of Manastir in Mariovo; Saint John Kaneo in Ohrid; Church of St. Constantine in Svećani near Veles; Church of Saint Eliah in the village of Grnčari
Dating: the last quarter of the 13th century
Reconstruction/Renovation: a substantial reconstruction of the church was carried out during the 19th century