The Saint Menas Obradovo Monastery is situated in the former village of Obradovtsi, now Sofia’s Benkovski neighborhood, next to Vladaiya River, amidst beautiful meadows. It is visited by many people across the year.
A local legend says that a major Christian complex with 40 chapels, many monastery buildings and a spiritual school were situated here in the 9th century. There was a convent of Mount Athos too and all the pilgrims headed to there stopped for a rest. Centuries later, the holy place revived in a dream of prophetess Bona Velinova, as God Himself showed her the place where an ancient temple had existed. A second miracle happened, when a fire burst on the same place and locals clearly spotted the grounds of a monastery outlined. Others say that on September 14, 1927, village people spotted the remains of old stone walls at the place. Following the instructions of Grandma Bona they started to dig and discovered the grounds of an old church, pieces of a cross and an incense burner. A small well was found near the altar with healing holy water.
On the Day of St. Menas (November 11) hundreds of Christians came at the spot and started to collect money for the construction of a monastery. The wooden chapel built existed up to 1942 and the small monastery building for pilgrims situated nearby made it to 1969.
In 1942, the church board of trustees in Obradovtsi took the decision for the construction of a new temple. The new church was consecrated on 21 October 1945. A new chapel was sanctified 12 years later and the holy water spring was built with stones in its altar, as the water is pumped up now. People at the monastery advise everyone to wash his or her eyes, to take a sip and to bring some water home for health and wealth. Another chapel was constructed in 1970, honoring St. Peter and St. Paul. The construction of other two was started several years ago, as the believers wish the original complex from the 11 c. with its 40 chapels to be restored.
There were nuns at the monastery up to 2004. Mother Zlatka died a few years ago at the age of 90. People used to believe that she was a healer and a prophet, as Christians from all over Bulgaria asked her on the phone to light a candle and to pray for them. The miraculous icon of St. Menas is another reason for the monastery’s popularity. Pilgrims say that it is powerful enough to heal, if one is a real believer.
The spot has always been known as healing for the mind and the body. The monastery keeps a book, describing the wonders that happened here. Lots of young people come here nowadays, many of them pray for a child. The yard is full of pilgrims on major Christian fests, as the new and larger buildings allow the night to be spent here. A new monastery kitchen and a baptistery have been recently built. The whole place is very well maintained, with green grass, springs, tables, benches and a fireplace. The beautiful view also includes a wooden pavilion and a small lake.
November 11 is the official feast of the temple – the Day of St. Menas. A vigil takes place here on the eve before the feast, as people hope that they will heal from sufferings of the body and the spirit. The priest serves a holy mass in the morning. Many people gather and those barely fit in the yard. The temple wouldn’t close its doors over the whole night. The days of the saints that the chapels are named after are also solemnly celebrated, along with the Day of St. John of Rila and others. Lots of believers come to see the miraculous icon of St. Menas that is taller than a man and they light their candles there. Gifts are placed under the icon – flowers, notes and coins.
The monastery is open across the entire year and due to its proximity to the capital city it is an attractive spot for pilgrimage tourism for thousands of people.
English version: Zhivko Stanchev
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