After Peter’s church in Novi Pazar(Serbia), the church of St. Procopius in Prokuplje (city named after Saint Procopius) is the second oldest preserved, living church on the soil of present-day Serbia. The relics of the Holy Martyr Procopius of the Protector of Prokuplje and the city of Nish are kept here.
As a result of the Ottoman invasion, in the second half of the fourteenth century, the relics of the Holy Warrior were transferred to the Procession Church from Nis in 1386, just before its fall. The year when this temple was dedicated to the Holy Martyr Procopius is still on the coat of arms of the city of Prokuplje. A few years later, in 1395, Princess Milica, wife of the Holy Martyr Duke Lazar Kosovsky, called the city itself the city of Saint Prokopius.
The original church, dating from the end of the ninth and early tenth centuries, in the time of the Samuel empire, had three naves and a narthex. In its outward appearance, it was reminiscent of the churches of Prespa and Ohrid at the time, like the church of Saint Sophia. At the beginning of the XI century, two rows of columns and half-columns were added to its interior, giving it the appearance of a basilica. Since then, the church has been rebuilt and rebuilt several times and now has the appearance of a five-nave building.
The relics of this saint are kept in a tomb that has three rooms built on the south side of the church. For centuries, the tomb with the relics of the saints has been the place of healing for faithful people from all over the world. Prayers have been read here for the salvation of souls and for the health of the body. Even the sick were descending into the tomb and lying on a plaque covering the tomb, and with the help of God and with the help of Saint Procopius, they were healed of the most serious diseases.
On the twenty-first of July, 303, the great follower of Christ was martyred. Saint Prokopius is especially celebrated by the Serbian people.
Saint Peocopius came from Jerusalem. His name was Neani. When he grew up, Emperor Diocletian saw him and was so fond of him that he immediately took him to his court, where he was with his army. When Diocletian decided to persecute the Christians, he sent Neania to Alexandria with a military detachment and ordered them to kill the Christians there.
On this journey one night a strong earthquake occurred and Neani heard God’s voice. This experience completely reversed and changed the life of Duke Neani. He demanded that they make him the cross he saw.
Instead of going to the Christians, he went with the army against the Agarians, and as a victor entered Jerusalem where he told his mother that he was now a Christian.
He was then tortured and thrown into the dungeon where Christ appeared again, and baptized him giving him the name Procopious. He publicly professed his faith, knowing that he would be executed. He died in 303.
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