One of the most important autumn Christian holidays is Archangel's Day, dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel and Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel and Barachiel.
In the Orthodox tradition, we celebrate their day on November 8 as the Feast of St. Archangel Michael, leader of the heavenly hosts and angelic hierarchies who defeated the forces of darkness.
According to the Church, angels are God's messengers and executors of His will. In Orthodox iconography, they are depicted in snow-white clothes and with wings - a symbol of the speed with which they fulfill God's commands and take an active part in the salvation of human souls. During baptism, every Christian receives a guardian angel who guides them and protects them from evil.
In churches, the image of St. Archangel Michael, with a spear in his hand, trampling the devil, occupies a central place, along with the icons of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God and John the Baptist. Because of the key place he occupies in the Heavenly Hierarchy, he is considered the patron of those fighting for a just cause and the protector of all Christians from dark forces.
In the vicinity of Sofia and the surrounding areas, there are nearly a dozen monasteries dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. Among them is the Chekotin Monastery, which is located about 15 kilometers away from the town of Pravets. It was founded at the end of the 12th century and is connected with the history of the nearby Urvich fortress, which is located just 4 km away. It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the years, but today it is active and attracts visitors with its beautiful architecture and remarkable murals.
We learn more interesting details about the monastery from Priest Mihail in an interview with Svetlana Dimitrova.
St. Archangel Michael monastery of Chekotin – a little-known gem
See also:
Compiled by: Darina Grigorova
English: Al. Markov
Photos: library, BGNES
June 11, 2007 - US President George W. Bush Jr. visits Sofia. According to protocol, the press conference he held for the media took place among the exhibits of the National Archaeological Museum. The official lunch for the guest was later held at the..
On November 10, 1989, a plenum of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party ousted its General Secretary and Chairman of the State Council, Todor Zhivkov. This marked the symbolic beginning of the transition from a one-party system to..
Archaeologists have explored a necropolis in the Kavatsi area near Sozopol. The perimeter in which it is located is part of the history of Apollonia Pontica and is dated to the 4th century BC. "This is a site with interesting burials in which a nuance..
The first modern Christmas was celebrated in Bulgaria in 1879. It followed a European model with a Christmas tree, ice skating and gifts. At that..
Today, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates St. Naum of Ohrid. Naum was a medieval Bulgarian scholar and writer. He was born around 830 and..
Rain / Snow
Overcast, rain
Rain
Snow
Scattered showers