Sofia, Boyana, Rila
Bob, the Reader at the Anglican congregation in Sofia, welcomed us to the chapel where they worship. It was the feast of Ivan Rilski, hermit and patron saint of Bulgaria. Andrew preached on the gospel reading: “Come away to a deserted place and rest a while”, and encouraged us to find space for reflection in our busy programme.
IVAN RILSKI
865-946
MONK
HERMIT
ASCETIC
ABBOT
SPIRITUAL FATHER
PATRON SAINT
Boyana Church
On our way to Rila monastery, we visited Boyana church on the slopes of Vitorska mountain. The church of St Nicholas and St Panteleimon, Boyana was built in three stages in the XIth, XIIIth and XIXth centuries, with frescoes from the first two periods and the XVth century. Only nine visitors are allowed inside at a time, so there was plenty of time to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Before the Ottoman conquest, the mountain was a “holy forest” with 40 monasteries. Only two of them survive.
Rila Monastery
RILA MONASTERY was founded by Ivan Rilski in Xth century. He lived in a cave, and devoted himself to prayer for the country, refusing the king’s offer of money to build a splendid monastery. It was moved to its present site in the XIVth century. Only the medieval tower remains; the church was rebuilt in the XIXth century.
Walls and ceilings, inside and out, are covered in paintings following the tradition of medieval churches, but with colours, design and realism characteristic of the Bulgarian revival.
The fate of the wicked after death was a popular theme in the gallery (see below).
emeritablog: life after work 