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 November 15, the second longest fasting in the Bulgarian Orthodox tradition begins, which is preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. It is believed that, although it lasts 40 days, the Christ's Nativity fast is not as..
After the Russo-Turkish war of 1878, with the Treaty of Berlin, the Bulgarian ethnic land was divided. Northern Dobrudja was handed over to Romania, and Nis and Pirot regions - to Serbia. The Principality of Bulgaria, a vassal of the Ottoman Empire,..
The biggest holiday for Muslims, which marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, is Eid al-Adha. It begins in the evening hours of the day of Arife (June 27), when Muslims pay respect to their deceased relatives..
Clear