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

Rainfall expected to continue, snow on some mountain peaks

On Tuesday, the cloudiness will be significant over most of the country, there will be more sunny hours along the Danube and in Northeastern Bulgaria. Light rain will fall in some places in southern Bulgaria. The wind will be oriented from the..

published on 9/16/24 7:35 PM

Civil activists await Europe's response to changes in the Education Act

More than 160 Bulgarian civil organizations, including the National Network for Children, have sent an open letter to a number of European institutions, organizations, embassies and diplomatic missions regarding the legislative changes banning..

published on 9/16/24 6:25 PM
Kamelia Neykova

The Central Election Commission and the Council of Ministers promise fair elections

The Central Election Commission and the Council of Ministers will work together to increase confidence in the electoral process and ensure transparency in the elections, the Central Election Commission’s Chairperson Kamelia Neykova said after a..

published on 9/16/24 5:42 PM