Zarnogorski Manastir
The Monastery of Zarnogorsky Manastir St. Cosma and Damyan , also known by the name Giginski Manastir (Гигински манастир) and Chernogorsky Manastir (Черногорски манастир), is a Bulgarian monastery that has a central position in the Bulgarian , cultural, and political history Of Bulgaria . Its foundation probably goes back to the hermits settled in the mountains , who were under the influence of Iwan Rilski ( Saint John of the Rila Mountains ) and his followers.
location
The monastery is located 60 km west of Sofia , the capital of Bulgaria, about 18 km southeast of the town of Bresnik and 5 km from the village of Gigintsi on the top of the Cherna Gora mountain, which is called Kitka . At an altitude of over 1000 m above sea level, the monastery can only be reached via an asphalt road.
history
According to tradition, the monastery already existed at the time of the Second Bulgarian Empire (10th century AD) and was built on the remains of ancient Roman buildings.
Historical change
The monastery was very much subject to the historical changes in Bulgaria during the last millennium and experienced times of prosperity and growth, followed by times of decline and decay. During the dynasties of the Bulgarian Tsars Ivan Assen I , Georgi I Terter and Ivan Shishman , the monastery received numerous large and lucrative properties, while it was able to maintain its character as a diocesan and not as a "royal" monastery. Older liturgical books were copied in the monastery and it cannot be ruled out that newer books have also been translated.
Education and pastoral care
In connection with its literary activities, the monastery was actively involved in sermons, lectures and classes for the purity of the Christian faith at this time as well as against heresies and remnants of paganism. Together with the pastoral care of the Orthodox Christian monks, the monastery contributed to the literacy of the population in the region through its monastery school even in the 16th century .
The monastery during the Ottoman Empire
In the course of the conquest of Bulgaria by the Ottomans , the monastery was destroyed and rebuilt several times. During the time of Bulgaria's liberation from Ottoman rule, the monastery became even more important than before, as it was a refuge for numerous revolting monks. According to tradition, the monastery was rebuilt at the beginning of the 19th century by monks from the Zweto-Gora region , who found ruins and a spring of healing water in its current location.
The restoration of the monastery
Since 1855, important Bulgarian ecclesiastical figures have dedicated themselves to the restoration of the monastery. Alexi Stefanov from the village of Gigintsi, who was elected abbot in 1859, is particularly important as one of the monastery's greatest benefactors. With his help, many of the properties could be bought back. In 1869 the restoration of the monastery was completed with the construction of a new round porch of the church.
The monastery during the 20th century
In 1925 the monastery was renovated, paintings were renewed and numerous icons donated, such as those of the Blessed Mother Mary, the Three Wise Men, Saints Cosmas and Damian , Nicholas and others. During the First and Second World Wars, the monastery supported the local population by paying taxes that the villagers had to pay to the front. After September 9, 1944, the clergy were expelled from the monastery and the property expropriation began, which continued until 1956. In 1960 the clergy were forced to leave the monastery for good. Although the monastery was officially declared an architectural monument in 1956 and a cultural monument in 1976, it was actually left to decay.
Frescoes in the old church
The monastery houses frescoes from 1814 depicting the then chairman of the city of Kardzhali , Kara Feizi. The frescoes are also interesting because of their images of local donors, which show in detail the costumes of the time.
The role of the monastery after 1989
Apart from the residents of the surrounding villages, few knew that an Orthodox monastery had existed in the mountains for centuries. But before it was left to decay in the years of totalitarianism, the Monastery of St. Cosmas and Damian was a center of Orthodox faith and literature. Today it is the only functioning monastery in the Pernik region. After 1989, the monastery assumed the role of a religious and spiritual center of Breznik, the region of today's Pernik .
The monastery in the present
operator
Since 1998 the monastery has been run by the Orthodox Brotherhood of St. Cosmas and Damian. In the first few years, the clergy settled there lived in unacceptable housing conditions without water, electricity and income.
Campaigns
In 2007, under the auspices of the Brotherhood, a national campaign for the renovation of the monastery was organized, which also included scholars, lawyers, art historians, business people and the media.
Sponsor
After the arrival and commitment of Father Nicanor, the monastery received numerous donations with which the partial reconstruction of the almost destroyed building could be implemented. Since the beginning of the financial crisis, the brotherhood has been supported by the Bulgarian banker Tsvetan Vasilev , who today has the traditional honorary title of main donor and community leader. With his help, the monastery church of St. Siluan of Athos was built and decorated and restoration work was carried out. All buildings of the monastery now have electricity and internet, which contributes to the fact that the monastery is visited by thousands of believers all year round.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Neschev, Georgi. Bulgarian Monasteries Throughout the Centuries (bulg.Български манастири през вековете), Sofia 2006, p. 70
