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
Midsummer's Day or Enyovden in Bulgaria is always celebrated on June 24, when the church honors the birth of St. John the Baptist. Folklore traditions are associated with the day of the summer solstice, when the sun "twinkles" and "plays" at..
April 24 marked the 82 nd anniversary since the birth of Nedyalka Keranova- one of the most remarkable voices of Bulgarian folklore, who passed away in 1966 at the age of 55. Our listener and friend Noris Balabanyan who lives in the USA and whose..
Today we mark the 100th birth anniversary of composer Petar Stupel . He was born on April 27, 1923 in Sofia, in the family of professional musicians. Petar Stupel studied at the State Academy of Music "Pancho Vladigerov", majoring in Piano under..
Clear