Thursday, June 5, 2008

The Rila Monastery, Bulgaria

In the year of 865 prince Boris I (baptismal name Michail) converted the Bulgarians to Christianity. In the begining of X c. hermit Saint John of Rila, The Miracleworker, established a great confraternity of his disciples and followers, not far from the today’s monastery's location. Through the ages The Holy Rila Monastery became the Bulgarian Jerusalem. It was a seat of spiritual learning for monks, bookmen, teachers, painters, wood-carves, icon-painters. The Monastery has been a lighthouse and a place of wonderworking power and spiritual support to the Christian people of Bulgaria, especially during the time of slavery under the Turks (XIV-XIX centuries).

The main church of the Rila Monastery

The Tower of Hrelyu (the oldest surviving structure in the monastery)

An exhibit in the monastery’s museum


A monk’s chamber in the monastery


Here are some of the frescoes in the main church of the monastery:

Last Judgement


The Holy Virgin surraunded by 32 saints


The dormition of Saint Ivan Rilski


Archangel Michael