The church of St. Demetrius, which is one of the most important medieval cultural monuments, lies in the village of Patalenitsa, located at the foot of the Rhodope Mountains. The temple remained buried in the ground for five centuries and avoided desecration by the Ottoman invaders. This is why some frescoes typical of the Renaissance period are well preserved. The legend has it that the church was discovered accidentally in the 19th century by a local shepherd who saw the top of a metal cross protruding from the hill after a heavy storm. Thus, the local legend, according to which a Christian temple was buried under the small mound, was confirmed. In 1870, the church was named after Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki.
In today’s world, where material values overshadow the spiritual, reflections on the salvation of souls somehow remain in the background. The constant race against time and the stream of daily tasks muffle the voice of the soul, which struggles to..
In 1018, after half a century of struggle, the First Bulgarian Empire was conquered by Byzantium. Despite the many uprisings of the Bulgarians, the power of Constantinople lasted for nearly two centuries. In the autumn of 1185 or the..
On 19 October, Bulgarians commemorate St Ivan Rilski, also known as St John of Rila, who is considered the country’s heavenly protector. He founded the Rila Monastery, which is the largest and most influential spiritual centre in Bulgaria. Ivan..
In today’s world, where material values overshadow the spiritual, reflections on the salvation of souls somehow remain in the background. The constant..
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