Sat, Nov 21 2009

BELIEVERS GATHER IN BULGARIA'S BACHKOVO MONASTERY TO SEE MIRACULOUS ICON

Tue, Apr 10 2007 09:19 CET 171 Views

Thousands of believers from various Bulgarian cities gathered in Bachkovo monastery to get a glimpse of the miraculous icon of St Mary.

According to traditions the icon was taken out of the monastery on the morning of April 9, Novinar newspaper reported. A traditional procession took the icon to the Klouviata region. There, a mass is held for all of the believers who decide to travel to the monastery.

The legend said that the icon was taken out of the monastery during the first centuries of the Ottoman rule in Bulgaria. To hide it, monks placed the icon high in the mountain.

The icon was found in the 17th century and returned to the monastery. Though the doors of the church were locked, the icon disappeared. It was later found in the place where it was previously hidden.

Each year, the procession recreates the story and traces the path of the icon. According to beliefs people get cured if they manage to touch the icon during the procession.

Write comment

Name:Comment:

Generate new code
Send your comment

More in this category

EC suing Bulgaria for Sofia waste disposal failure

The European Commission is taking Bulgaria to court for delays in providing Sofia with adequate waste disposal facilities.

US ambassador-designate Warlick addresses senate confirmation hearing

James Warlick is the spouse of Mary Warlick, director of the office of Russian affairs at the US state department, who has been nominated to serve as ambassador to Serbia

Bulgaria declares flu epidemic at an end

Bulgaria’s Health Ministry announced on November 20 2009 that the flu epidemic declared two weeks earlier is at an end as rates of infection decline. The announcement coincides with reports of two deaths from A (H1N1) flu in Bulgaria.

Bulgarian prosecutors to investigate Dogan’s real estate deals

Acting on allegations by Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria leader Ivan Kostov, prosecutors and Government officials are to probe deals by which Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Ahmed Dogan acquired various properties.

Sofia prosecutors charge Bulgaria’s former defence minister Nikolai Tsonev

Prosecutors allege that a deal agreed by the former defence minister caused losses of 12.9 million leva.