CULTURAL HERITAGE: - Macedonian Information Centre

RESTORATION OF
ST. CLEMENT’S UNIVERSITY
IN OHRID
Pasko kuzMan
As we know, in the frameworks of our secular and spiritual history
St. Clement’s University operated from the end of the 9 th century to the
beginning of the 10 th century, that is to say until the passing away of St.
Clement from Ohrid, the first Slavic bishop, a saint, and enlightener of
the Macedonian people. In the historic science, this early-middle-age
educational and cultural institution was called the First Slavic University,
which is the oldest in Europe. It is known that St. Clement and his
associates had educated over 3,500 students who, after his death, spread
among the Slavic countries and expanded the Christian religion, literacy,
and science among the peoples of Slavic origin. The reflections of this
University were felt throughout the Middle Age, and they are felt even
today in the frameworks of the spiritual traditions that are our cultural
and spiritual heritage.
The space where St. Clement’s University operated is today’s Plaosnik
in Ohrid, in the vicinity of St. Clement’s Church St. Pantelejmon, in
the south pedestal of the citadel of Samoil’s Fortress. The cultural and
educational processes were most probably taking place in the monastery
compound, in the monastery night’s lodgings, in the tree-lined path and
under the trees on Plaosnik.
This important cultural and historic compound in Ohrid has its
long history and with its cultural horizons from prehistory up-to-date it
represents one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Balkans
and one of the most sacred places in Europe where the life of civilization
was continually taking place. So, back in the Neolithic era (early stoneage)
there was life on Plaosnik, as well as in the later prehistoric periods
(Bronze and Iron Ages), the ancient period when most probably the
Temple of God Dionysius was erected (a beloved Divinity in old Lihnitida
– the Ohrid region). In the 3 rd century A. D. St. Erasmus baptized 20,000
Mr. Pasko kuzman is an eminent Macedonian archaeologist and director of the
directorate for Protection of Cultural Heritage of the republic of Macedonia.
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UDC: 726.54.02.03(497.7-21)