Preserving and Adapting Sacred Architecture: A Case Study of the Jazak Monastery

Abstract
This paper examines the preservation and transformation of Orthodox sacred architecture in the multicultural border region of Srem through the case study of the Jazak Monastery on Fruška Gora. Particular attention is given to the Old and the New Church, two buildings that fulfilled the same liturgical function while developing under different historical and political circumstances. For a certain period, both churches coexisted, reflecting distinct social, cultural, and architectural conditions. The research applies a case study approach supported by comparative and morphological analysis, operationalized through defined parameters: spatial organization, structural system, material use, stylistic articulation, and functional continuity. The findings indicate that the Old Church preserved a modest Serbian-Byzantine architectural expression, characterized by reduced scale and simplified structural form, while the New Church incorporated Baroque elements and reflected greater institutional and material capacity under later political conditions. The study demonstrates that continuity in sacred architecture is often achieved not through static preservation, but through adaptation, reinterpretation, and selective integration of new influences. These results contribute to broader discussions on conservation strategies for religious heritage in culturally layered regions.

Keywords: comparative analysis, heritage, sacred architecture, architectural transformation, churches