Златовезана дреха с монограми „цар на българи и гърци“ на българския владетел Иван Александър от църквата „Св. Никола“ край с. Станичене, Пиротско
A Gold-Embroidered Dress With Monograms "King of Bulgarians and Greeks" of the Bulgarian Ruler Ivan Alexander from St. Nikola Church at the Village of Stanichene Near Pirot

Summary/Abstract: In the 1970–80ies Serbian researchers discovered a unique monument at the village of Stanichene near Pirot: the St. Nikola Church under the 19th с. wall paintings of which were found finely preserved frescoes of the 14th с. The partially preserved inscription reports that the wall paintings were depicted during the reign of the Bulgarian King Ivan Alexander. A whole gallery of images of Bulgarian boyars of the same epoch are preserved on the walls of the church. During excavation work under the floor of the temple the Serbian archaeologists had a still more remarkable find: a tomb where a dress of the buried person was discovered in excellent condition. The figures of animals and six monograms with the text "Ivan Alexander, King of Bulgarians and Greeks" were embroidered on it with gold thread. The careful study of the monument has shown that this was an ancient Orthodox tradition in which the ruler presented his personal dress to a high-standing nobleman. In this particular case the dress was presents to the deputy of Bulgarian power in the Nish-Pirot area, Kostandin. He probably held the title of "Caesar" and was depicted on the walls of the church together with his relatives.

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