Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Rozhen Monastery marks its patron saint's day

Today, the Rozhen Monastery "Nativity of the Theotokos" will celebrate its patron saint's day with a procession with the miraculous icon of "Theotokos – Portaitissa" and a blessing of the sacrificial (kurban) meal.

The monastery lost its independence in 1761 and became subordinate to the Monastery of Iviron. It received a copy of the miraculous icon of "Theotokos – Portaitissa". The legend has it that the original icon was painted by Luke the Evangelist. Its copy was made in 1790 by icon-painter Jacob Iversky.

Unlike other copies, the one donated to the Rozhen Monastery is made of sacred iron and is surrounded by ten small compositions depicting its healing miracles. Every year, on the eve of the feast, many worshippers from Bulgaria and abroad offer gifts to the icon of the Virgin Mary and spend the night in the church.

The "Nativity of the Theotokos" is the largest monastery in the Pirin region. It is believed to have been established in the 13th century, as evidenced by Greek manuscript copies.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Daily highs reach 33°C on Friday and Saturday

Friday will be sunny and temperatures will rise during the day to reach 28-33°C, 29°C in the capital. Lows will be between 11 and 16°C, 11°C in Sofia.  The Black Sea coast will be sunny with some fog in the morning. Air temperatures will be..

published on 9/26/24 7:05 PM

Municipal councillors in Sofia want "St. Alexander Nevsky" square to be renamed "St. Ivan Rilski"

Municipal councilors from "Blue Sofia" submitted a report in which they insist that the "St. Alexander Nevsky" square in Sofia should be renamed "St. Ivan Rilski". "The square is the most representative public space of the capital of Bulgaria,..

published on 9/26/24 5:39 PM

Bulgaria faces sanctions from European Commission for failing to speed up renewable energy permits

The European Commission has called on Bulgaria and 25 other EU countries to introduce a fast-track approval procedure for renewable energy projects. The new rules should have been in place by 1 July this year. The EC has launched infringement..

published on 9/26/24 3:38 PM