The John the Baptist medieval monastery complex in the picturesque Rhodope town of Kardjali is on its way to resurrect to a new spiritual life. The idea for its restoration belongs to father Nikolay Velichkov, vicar general of the Ivaylovgrad spiritual district and a priest at the monastery. He was born in the town of Asenovgrad, but came to Kardjali, following the invitation of Plovdiv’s Metropolitan Nikolay. “Three and a half years ago the monastery was locked up and covered with grass. I took the vow of obedience and we began work for its restoration, since one should feel like in heaven when stepping inside a monastery,” the priest says. The monastery complex was established back in the 6^th – 7^th c and used to be the spiritual center of one of the largest medieval eparchies – Achridos. It was turned into ruins during the Ottoman invasion and was deeply forgotten up till the 1930s, when locals discovered the remains for the first time. Archaeological excavations took place later on and the restored church of the monastery was consecrated once again. Father Nikolay serves there today. He established a Sunday school since his arrival, today visited by more than 70 kids.

“We had no premises to meet in. That was why we created a huge draft project with some 1,700 square meters of built area,” Father Nikolay says. “In 2014 we completed the first part, which was a Sunday school in Orthodox Christianity. The monastery will include 7 buildings with an ancient outlook – towers, resembling the ancient walls, still preserved today. We had the support of the state for the restoration of the monastery, but we would like to build up one part with the labor, efforts and personal funds of the people, related to Kardjali. Its image has been buried underground for centuries and now we, being Christians, must continue the deed of our forefathers.”

The remains of the medieval monastery have been declared a monument of culture of national significance. That is why the project for its renewal has been complied with the National Institute for Immovable Cultural Heritage. The ground breaking for the new building will take place on 24 June, St. John’s Eve, the temple’s fest. “We don’t have a dime to start with, but you will see that with God’s help we will build it till October. It will be a test for our faith,” father Nikolay states. Are the people of Kardjali ready to join a spiritual deed like this one?

“I do feel it in my heart, but I presume you don’t think the priest can do it all on his own,” the priest says. “This is a deed of the people in Kardjali. My goal is only to bring them together, in order to put their hearts in the fundaments. The idea is a spot to be created, for their reunion, no matter where life has scattered their destinies. A spot to remind us of our roots, of our faith. That was why we opted for the construction of a multifunctional hall for illumination, as it will be the illumination of the people.”

Discussions will be organized at the new building, along with chants and exhibitions with drawings of the Sunday school’s students. The priest’s will is to turn the monastery complex into a magnetic spiritual center for kids not only from Kardjali, but also from across Bulgaria and even from abroad.

“When I first came to Kardjali, I already knew that children should be introduced to faith, they should know the difference between good and evil,” the priest goes on to say about his mission. “I called on the people three and a half years ago to start bringing their children to me. I told them I couldn’t enter their homes… A child or two began to come to the Sunday school and now I have over 70 kids. I also work with the parents, in order to raise their spiritual awareness, in order for those parents to want their children to visit the temple. The training is based entirely on talks – we do not open the thick books, I only answer their questions…” Father Nikolay says.

The most frequent of those questions: dinosaurs, stars, angels and the end of the world. Furthermore on the school’s activities:

“We have shot two Bible-based movies here at the monastery – the stories of the prodigal Son and of Josef and his brothers. We also have an initiative that has lasted for 3 years in a row now – we send a message to all the children around the world for Christmas. We included songs and lyrics in the 10-minute-long video once and on the next year we greeted them in 41 languages… We are about to end the school year on St. John’s Eve, June 24 and we are preparing a major play about Moses and the Ten Commandments for the occasion. The serious rehearsals once again come to show the kids in the Sunday school that Christianity is not just a book, but a way of life…” Father Nikolay Velichkov says in conclusion.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev