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Bulgarian Orthodox Church pays tribute to Saints Gavriil Lesnovski and Prohor Pchinski

Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg

On January 15, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours the Reverend Gavriil Lesnovski (Gabriel of Lesnovo). He was one of the three great followers of the patron saint of the Bulgarian people, St. Ivan Rilski. 

Venerable Gabriel lived in the XI-XII centuries. He was born in the village of Osiche in today's North Macedonia in a boyar family. With his own money he built a church in his native village and the monastery of St. Archangel Michael in the Osogovo Mountains, near Kratovo and Zletevo. He went into hermitage above the monastery and spent in silence 30 years.

 The miraculous relics of the saint were moved to the medieval Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo.

On this day another Bulgarian saint from North Macedonia, also known as a follower of St. Ivan Rilski, is venerated by the Orthodox Church and this is St. Prohor Pchinski, born in Ovche Pole.



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