The Newly Opened Rock Church in the Ground Part of the Monastery Complex The Baptistery from the Ivanovo Rock-hewn Monasteries

In another field study in the region of the Ivanovo rock-hewn monasteries, led by Evgeni Koev, a rock-hewn church was found in the area of the Monastery Complex “The Baptistery”. This specific site is a rock-hewn temple which has a unique location at the ground level of the rock wreath. It has not been documented in previous studies of this area. The church has a carefully shaped and processed eastern half. There is a carved characteristic absid in eastern direction, replacing the holy throne, a prosthetic niche and a replica of the rock-hewn Vladish throne. For the first time, the rock-hewn church is mapped and described in detail, giving a specific interpretation of the time of its construction and use, as well as showing the specific purpose of the temple and the adjacent monastic cells. Keywords: Rock-hewn Church , Newly Discovered, Documented, Baptistery