On September 8, when the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Nativity of the Holy Theotokos), we take a look at the beautiful valley of Gabrovnitsa River and the Monastery of the Holy Theotokos, better known as the “Seven Thrones” Monastery. Today, thousands of pilgrims visit this holy site to pray to the Mother of God. The Nativity of the Holy Theotokos is one of the three major feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and one of the twelve biggest Christian holidays. On this day, church services are held in churches and monasteries across the country.
Pilgrims arrive in the “Seven Thrones” Monastery on the eve of the Nativity of the Holy Theotokos to attend a midnight vigil and pray to the Mother of God to heal them and ease their sufferings. You can learn more details about the monastery and its history in Radio Bulgaria’s article: The Monastery of the Holy Theotokos “Virgin Mary”.
Compiled by: Darina Grigorova
English version: Kostadin Atanasov
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