Church of the Annunciation in Arkazh

The Church of Annunciation in Arkazy, included in UNESCO's World Heritage List, is situated near Veliky Novgorod. Founded in 1170 by Archbishop Ilya, the monastery originally had a wooden church. In 1189 its interior was adorned with frescoes commissioned by Archbishop Grigoriy, some fragments of which have survived to this day. Archbishop Feoktist, who later became the archbishop of Novgorod and was buried in the temple, served as the abbot of the monastery. Archaeological excavations revealed remains of the original stone buildings of the monastery.