The St. Archangel Michael Monastery of Kokalyane is a little corner of paradise, located in Mount Plana near the capital city Sofia. The cloister was probably built during the reign of Tsar Samuil at the end of the 10th century. According to legend, while he was hunting in the area, Samuil killed a doe which shed heavy tears before it died. The Tsar was so moved that he ordered a monastery to be erected on the spot in honour of St. Archangel Michael, the guardian of souls who waged war on evil.
During the Ottoman invasion Kokalyane Monastery was destroyed. In the 14th century it was restored, even though in the course of almost 500 years it was attacked and raided multiple times. In 1898 a new church was erected on the spot where the old church once stood.
In our day there is a church here, as well as two chapels - The Assumption and St. Ivan of Rila, as well as residential and farm buildings. In 2000 a bell tower was built in the yard. The St. Archangel Michael keeps unique relics connected with the time of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 –1393) and Tsar Ivan Shishman – the last Bulgarian ruler before the Ottoman invasion of Bulgaria.
The Monastery of Kokalyane has two patron saints’ days – on 8 November, the day of St. Archangel Michael, and on 15 August – the Feast of the Assumption. The monastery has been declared a monument of culture.
Fine out more about this holy place, steeped in legend HERE.
Compiled by Veneta Nikolova
On September 8, when the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Nativity of the Holy Theotokos), we take a look at the beautiful valley of Gabrovnitsa River and the Monastery of the Holy Theotokos, better..
Bulgaria is celebrating 145 years of the Shipka Peak epopee - the heroic six-day epic battle in which the native defenders proved that freedom is not a gift, but was won with the blood and sacrifice of thousands of Bulgarians. The Balkan peak of Saint..
Hundreds of people in white, lined up in a concentric circles, dancing and welcoming the rising sun - this unforgettable sight will be witnessed by everyone who visits the Seven Rila Lakes on August 19. The ritual is called Paneurhythmy and through it..
Partly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Clear