St. Patriarch Evtimii of Tarnovo

published on 1/20/11 2:07 PM

The last blessing - a fresco from the temple of The Birth of the Holy Virgin in Veliko Tarnovo

Photo: archive

On 20 January the Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates Bulgarian Patriarch Evtimii of Tarnovo. He was an exceptional figure in the Bulgarian history, having left a permanent mark on the spiritual life of medieval Bulgarians. He is believed to have been born around 1327 AD in the city of Veliko Tarnovo. Still very young, he chose the path of priesthood, entering the Kilifarevo Monastery. Its Father Superior was popular at the time Theodosii of Tarnovo. As Evtimii distinguished himself with some exceptional spiritual qualities, the Father Superior made him manciple of the monastery and his right-hand man. After the death of Theodosii, Evtimii joined a monastery on Mount Athos. Around 1371 he came back to Bulgaria only to set up the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, which was later to become the widely popular of the time Tarnovo School of Letters. Being very knowledgeable on the Greek language and religious literature, he revised thoroughly Bulgarian sermon books, which had been ill translated until then entailing the development of various heresies and sects in Bulgaria. The new books translated by Evtimii became an example for all orthodox countries using the Church-Slavonic language. After the death of Patriarch Yoanikii II, Evtimii took up his position. He developed large-scale scholar activities, establishing a high reputation for the Orthodox Church and clergy. “He was respected not only by the Bulgarian clergy, but also by the aristocracy”, said Father Boyan Saraev from the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Monastery in the town of Kardzhali, Southern Bulgaria.

“Unfortunately, the horrible days of the Ottoman conquest set in. Sultan Bayezid I gathered an enormous army in front of the fortress of Tarnovo only to besiege the city for a long time. During the siege Patriarch Evtimii is said to have showed exceptional qualities as a protector of the old capital. Yet, the army was so numerous that Tarnovo did not stand the siege. The orthodox churches were turned into mosques and Patriarch Evtimii was sentenced to death. Legends say that when the executioner was just about to behead the patriarch, his hand froze stiff in the air dropping the sword. As a result, Evtimii was sent in exile. When he was leaving Bulgaria, people from everywhere rushed to him with the question “To whom are you leaving us, Pastor?” His answer was: “To the Holy Trinity now and forever”, Father Boyan Saraev told the story for Radio Bulgaria.

It is believed that Patriarch Evtimii of Tarnovo died around 1404, at the time when the Patriarchate of Tarnovo was obliterated and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church was no longer independent. He was canonized.

“Unfortunately we do not know where he was buried. Yet, it is not the person, but spiritual immortality that matters. Patriarch Evtimii was a renowned figure. For his numerous intellectual and spiritual qualities, he became an emblem of the Bulgarian national spirit. He introduced for the first time Bulgarian writing rules. Today we still need such a dedicated-to-his-nation spiritual personality. He is a strong example for all Bulgarian priests, for his personal traits were really unique”, said in conclusion Father Boyan Saraev from the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Monastery in the town of Kardzhali .

English version: Vyara Popova

По публикацията работи: Darina Grigorova

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St. Patriarch Evtimii of Tarnovo

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