From Hisarya to Rila Monastery. Rila Monastery. Architectural ensemble of the monastery

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Departure from Odessa at 7:00. Transit through the territory of Romania. Overnight in Ruse (Bulgaria).
Day 2. Wednesday. October 31

Breakfast. Transit through the territory of Bulgaria. Monastery of John of Rila, veneration of the relics of St. John. Moving to Greece. Overnight in Ouranoupolis.
Day 3. Thursday. Nov. 1 Breakfast. For men - a visit to the Russian St. Panteleimon Monastery on Athos, veneration of the relics stored there. For women - a boat trip along the coast of the Holy Mountain (if allowed weather

). Veneration of the relics, which will be brought on the ship from one of the Athos monasteries (if possible). Overnight in Thessaloniki.
Day 4 Friday. November 2

Breakfast. Visit to the churches of Thessaloniki: the Basilica of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki, which houses the relics of St. Demetrius, St. martyr Anisia, St. Gregory Kallidis, and also St. source. The Basilica of Achiropiitos is the oldest surviving temple in the city. The temple contains two miraculous icons of the Mother of God. Cathedral Church of St. Sophia of the Wisdom of God (the relics of St. Basil the New). Monastery of St. Theodora of Thessaloniki (relics of St. Theodora and St. David of Thessalonica). Church of St. Gregory Palamas, where the relics of this great father of the Church are kept. Transfer to the town of Kalambaka at the foot of the Meteor rocks.
Day 5 Saturday. the 3rd of November

Breakfast. Moving to Meteora - a monastery complex, which began in the 14th century by St. Afanasy Meteorsky. During its heyday, the number of monasteries reached 24. The monasteries have survived to this day, of which 6 are active: 4 for men and 2 for women. Visit to 3 Meteor monasteries. Optional visit to an icon painting workshop. Departure to the port city of Igoumenitsa. Departure by ferry to the island. Corfu. Festive evening service in the Church of St. Spiridon. Hotel accommodation. Overnight.
Day 6 Sunday. November 4 Festive Divine Liturgy in the Church of St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky. Procession with the relics of the saint. Cathedral
, where the relics of St. Queen Theodora, who restored icon veneration. Return by ferry to the mainland, transfer to Patras.

Hotel accommodation. Overnight.
Breakfast. Cathedral of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called, veneration of the relics of the saint and the cross on which he was crucified. Church of St. Great Martyr Irene, in which the venerable head of the saint is kept. Moving to the vicinity of Kalavryta.
Monastery of the Holy Lavra. This famous monastery played important role in the history of the Greek people, and despite the destruction suffered at the hands of the Turks and fascists, it preserved its shrines - the honest heads of St. Alexia is a Man of God and is right. Philaret the Merciful. The Great Cave Monastery (Mega Spileo) is the oldest in Greece, which houses miraculous image Mother of God, sculpted from wax mastic. In the cave in which the icon was found there is a holy spring. In a separate chapel are kept the heads of the monastery's patrons - the Venerables Simeon, Theodore and Euphrosyne, as well as the relics of many revered saints. Moving to Sparta. Hotel accommodation. Overnight.

Day 8 Tuesday. November 6
Breakfast. Moving to Mystras is one of the most amazing places in Greece. Founded as a Frankish fortress on top of an inaccessible cliff in the foothills of Taygetos, Mystras soon became one of the most prominent cities of Byzantium, influencing the history of not only Greece, but throughout Europe. This is where the famous Renaissance begins. In this city in 1449 he was crowned the last Emperor Byzantium. Having outlived Constantinople by 7 years, Mystras is often called “the last capital of Byzantium.” Nowadays Mystras is a museum under open air, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and only the nuns of the monastery of the Virgin Mary of All Queens are residents of this ghost town. The best preserved temples of this city are decorated with magnificent frescoes; they testify to the extraordinary cultural and spiritual upsurge of the Paleologian era.
Monastery of the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste. This monastery in the vicinity of Sparta, has been one of the spiritual centers of the Laconia region for eight centuries. The miraculous image of the Forty Martyrs and part of their relics are kept in the cathedral church of the monastery.
Monastery of Panagia Malevi. The monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Malevi, widely known in Orthodox world thanks to its shrine - the myrrh-streaming icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God, famous for its numerous healings in last years. Moving to Athens. Check into a hotel. Overnight.

Day 9 Wednesday. November 7
Breakfast. The Areopagus is the place where the Apostle Paul delivered his famous sermon about the “unknown God.” Cathedral of the Annunciation Holy Mother of God, which contains the relics of St. Patriarch-Martyr Gregory V and Venerable Martyr Philothea of ​​Athens. Transfer to the port of Piraeus. Departure by ferry to the island of Aegina. Holy Trinity Monastery, where the relics of St. Nectarius of Aegina. Return to the mainland, transfer to the island of Euboea. Temple of Righteous John the Russian in the city of Prokopion on Euboea, where the incorruptible relics of St. John. Overnight.

Day 10 Thursday. November 8
Monastery of St. David of Euboea. Veneration of the relics of the saint. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Transfer by ferry to the mainland. Convent Dormition of the Virgin Mary Kato Xenias at the foot of Mount Ophrys, which, according to the beliefs of the ancients, was the dwelling of the Titans. The monastery houses two shrines: the ancient miraculous image of the Most Holy Theotokos Panagia Xenia (one of the most revered icons in Greece) and large part The Belt of the Virgin Mary, moved here in the 16th century from the Vatopedi Monastery. For pilgrims, especially women, a visit to the Kato Xenias monastery is a unique opportunity to venerate the Belt of the Virgin Mary calmly and without long queues. Monastery of St. ap. John the Theologian in Suroti, where the relics of St. Arseny of Cappadocia and the grave of St. Paisius of the Svyatogorets. Overnight in the vicinity of Thessaloniki.

Day 11 Friday. November 9
Breakfast. Transit through the territory of Bulgaria. Overnight near the border with Romania in Ruse.

Day 12 Saturday. 10th of November
Breakfast. Transit through the territory of Bulgaria and the Odessa region. Arrival in Odessa in the evening.

The Pilgrimage Center under the Department for External Church Relations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church reserves the right to change the sequence of visits to the shrines provided for in the program.

Participation in the pilgrimage from 610 euros

Includes:
- transport and excursion support according to the program;
- breakfasts;
- accommodation in 3* hotels;
- medical insurance;
- ferry tickets according to the program.

Does not include:
- lunches and dinners;
- boat trip for women along Mount Athos (25 €);
- registration of diamonitirion and ferry for men (25 € +15 €)

List of documents required for travel .
1. International passport.
2. Questionnaire
3. For minors:
- children's passport;
- birth certificate;
- notarized permission from the second parent for the child to travel abroad.
4. For holders of an old-style passport, a visa is required.

In Bulgaria there is great amount monasteries, harmoniously combined with the surrounding untouched nature. This state is very rich in its amazing history, there are more than 120 monasteries. They enchant with their own architectural grace, as well as rich interior decoration. The largest and also famous monastery in this state is the monastery intended exclusively for men of St. John of Rila, which is located 117 km south of Bulgaria itself. Interesting to visit.

Between the untouched wilderness of the Rila Mountains along the shore mountain river There are steep mountain slopes covered with dense pine and beech forests, and there is a path leading to the monastery. This place is very rich in historical as well as tragic events. The Rila Monastery is famous for its own relics, as well as a rare fate. For many years, while this monastery existed, it was destroyed by earthquakes, as well as fires, and looting was carried out in this place by the Ottomans. But no matter what happened there, this shrine of the people of Bulgaria was restored again. This monastery was founded back in 900; its founder was the ascetic of Bulgaria and the sinless Ivan Rilsky.

Historical events of the Rila Monastery

The recluse Rev. I. Rila, the monastery was named in his honor, lived alone in a cave not far from the current location of the Rila Monastery. Later, in the 10th century, this holy monastery was built by his disciples. Today John Rylsky is heavenly patron throughout Bulgaria and the most revered Bulgarian saint. Outlining on a fresco or an icon of St. John is found in almost all churches of this state.

Throughout historical event Bulgarian rulers never remained in the shadows and helped the monastery, granting it large cash. In the 11th century, the monastery had a hard time. With all that in XII - XIV centuries one might say that this time became a time of prosperity for him. The monastery gradually began to turn into a civilized as well as divine center of Bulgaria.

And when a dramatic event occurred in the 14th century, an avalanche, which was caused by an earthquake, caused enormous destruction. The local feudal lord Hreljo Dragovol managed to take the restoration of the monastery into his own hands. And at that time they began to build more reinforced and powerful buildings. Already at that time modern architecture The monastery contains a defensive tower of five floors, which is named after Dragovol. This construction dates back to 1334-1335. The remaining buildings of those times are a church, carved gates, and the bishop's throne. Only wall paintings from those times remain to this day.

In the 15th century, the monastery again brought further trials. In 1396 Bulgaria was captured by the Turks. And at that time the monastery was already considered a considerable feudal owner, who owned huge land. The Turkish Sultanate, in all likelihood, out of respect for the economic power of the monastery, for a long time tried to protect the monastery from barbaric actions by special orders. In the 15th century this Holy place It is heartlessly ruined by the invaders, causing significant damage to the monastery.

At the end of the 15th century there was its revival. When the year 1469 comes, the sacred wealth of John of Rila is transferred from Veliko Tarnovo to the monastery. And it was from this time that the monastery was revived again.

Until the 20th century, Bulgaria was first part of Ottomania, and then of Turkey. In such a difficult and ambiguous time for the state, the monastery played the role of guardian of the Bulgarian cultural heritage, as well as language. And already in 1844. Bulgarian monk, who was the most important educator of the 19th century, N. Rilski, founded a school at the monastery itself.

And again new tests in 1778, as well as in 1833. This time brings him the strongest fires. With all this, the people of Bulgaria do not remain indifferent, and funds are again being raised for the restoration of this popular holy monastery.

The most important attraction in Bulgaria is the Rila Monastery. Bulgarian name Rilski manastir “St. Ivan Rilski”

I will show you my photos of the Rila Monastery and the Cave of John of Rila, taken in 2012.

The holy monastery is located 117 km south of Sofia in the Rila Mountains at an altitude of 1147 meters above sea level. Covers an area of ​​8800 sq.m. Around it is located natural Park"Rila Monastery". This park is surrounded by 36 peaks above 2000 meters with the purest.

The monastery was founded in the 10th century by the hermit monk John of Rila.

It is on this site that the monastery has stood since 1335.

The monastery was destroyed and rebuilt several times.

In the 15th century it was burned to the ground and the monks were expelled. At the end of the 15th century, the Russian Orthodox Church helped restore the Rila Monastery, but in 1778 it burned down again. It was restored again, but in 1833 there was a strong fire again.

Now it is a functioning monastery.

During the Renaissance there was a parochial school here under the leadership of Hieromonk Neophyte Rilsky.

The Rila Monastery is called the Orthodox shrine of Bulgaria. A lot of people come here, especially Russians. Sins to atone for

The monastery has an ancient library, an art gallery, a cat and dog shelter, a farmstead - they sell bread and buffalo, and a museum. The museum has a lot of interesting and absolutely original things. True, for some reason many exhibitions are closed.

Entrance to the museum for an adult costs 3 levs (60 rubles).

The shroud is woven with gold. Gift from the Russian Orthodox Church.

Cross of Raphael (81 cm x 43 cm). Monk Raphael carved it out of wood for 12 years. When I finished I became blind. On the cross he carved 104 religious scenes and 650 figures with faces that included eyes, nose and mouth.

The church was painted by famous Bulgarian icon painters Zachary Zograf, Dimitar Hristov Zograf, Dimitar and Simeon Molerovi.

The church contains the relics of Ivan Rilski, as well as miraculous icon Mother of God"Hodegetria". It looks like this on the wall. Around the Virgin Mary there are 34 squares with the relics of saints. Very important icon. It was given in the 12th century by the Byzantine Emperor Manuel Komnenos as a token of gratitude for his healing near the relics of John of Rila. The icon contains the relics of St. Mary Magdalene in one of the wooden boxes since the 1st century.

The places in the vicinity of the Rila Monastery are incredibly beautiful and picturesque.

Second input-output.

There are a lot of hotels and restaurants around the monastery, but you can also spend the night in the monastery itself - the conditions are Spartan, of course.

The watchtower is called "Hrelyuvata Kula". This is the oldest building in the monastery - 1335.

This is the cathedral church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Built in the 30s of the 19th century on the site of an old church in the Anton style.

I don’t know how many monks there are, but there are 300 cells for them.

9 years ago the entire local fraternity consisted of 6 people. IN better times there were 150 monks here.

4 kilometers from the monastery there is the cave of Ivan Rilsky. Sycamore forest.

The beginning of the trail to the tomb in the cave of John of Rila.

The path itself is not visible - there are stones and leaves all around, you need to navigate by these signs.

The entrance to the cave is located behind the wall of the old fasting church "Assumption of John of Rila".

You have to bend down very low.

A cave and a tomb in it. It's very cramped and there's no lighting except candles and my flash.

You need to crawl through this hole in the ceiling of the cave. Whoever climbs through and the stones do not close around him will be forgiven of all his sins. Those who don't get through are not allowed to go. I got through)

The Rila Monastery was founded in the thirties of the 10th century by the disciples of St. John of Rila (876 – 946).

The Orthodox shrine is located in the valley of the river of the same name, one hundred and seventeen kilometers south of the Bulgarian capital. Throughout its existence, the Rila Monastery was actively supported by the Bulgarian rulers, who donated significant sums of money for its needs.

The heyday of the monastery fell on the XII-XIV centuries. In the 15th century, the Rila shrine was destroyed by the Turks, but starting in 1469 (the time of the transfer of the relics of John of Rila to the monastery), it began to actively revive, largely thanks to the help of the Russian Orthodox Church. Starting from the 16th century, the Rila Monastery began to actively cooperate with other Slavic monasteries. In 1983, the main Bulgarian attraction became an object World Heritage UNESCO.

The Monastery of St. John of Rila is located on an area of ​​eight thousand eight hundred square meters. It has the shape of an irregular quadrangle, in the center of which is the main Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, which has five domes, three altars and two chapels, and the five-story Khrelova tower (1335), for a long time used by the monks as a citadel.

On the territory of the Holy Monastery, surrounded by stone twenty-two-meter walls, there is an ancient library with handwritten books of the 11th-19th centuries and a monastery museum, the collection of which contains a rich collection of icons and the famous Raphael Cross with numerous religious scenes carved on it (104 scenes) and miniature figures (650 pieces) the size of a grain of rice. The monastery complex also includes a variety of church, residential and utility buildings. The Rila Monastery houses the miraculous icon of the Mother of God Osenovitsa (12th century) and the heart of Tsar Boris III.

Rila Monastery - PHOTO

In Bulgaria there are many ancient and revered Orthodox monasteries. And the Rila Mountains are very picturesque. Here's the at least two reasons to visit the Rila Monastery. This is not just a monastery for monks. We can say that this monastery is a spiritual center, the heart of Bulgaria itself. This is probably why excursions are taken here from the most distant corners of the country. Even from sea ​​resorts. Since the monastery is located in the far west of Bulgaria, the journey from Albena or Nessebar will take two days. But as the reviews say, it's worth it. After all, during the excursion tourists will see a lot of interesting things. What exactly? Read about this in our article. In it we will take a virtual excursion to the monastery of St. John of Rila. Although no photographs can convey the special atmosphere that envelops you upon entering the monastery. You must visit here to touch the sacred.

History of the foundation of the shrine

The Rila Monastery, like many other ancient Christian monasteries, developed from a monastery. In the tenth century, the venerable ascetic John left the bustle of the world for the mountains (approximately 876-946). He settled in one of the grottoes. Rumors about his righteous life spread throughout the nearby villages. People began to come to Saint John, asked his advice, listened to his sermons and instructions. Later, monks joined him and became his disciples. Thus the Christian community grew. The grotto could no longer accommodate all the monks. And after the death of St. John of Rila (who received his nickname from the mountains of the same name), his disciples built a monastery. Rumors about this monastery also reached the rulers of Bulgaria. Since the time of Tsar Peter the Great (927-968), all the top officials of the state and the nobility have donated large funds to the monastery.

Further history of the monastery

Over the eleven centuries of its existence, the Rila Monastery has experienced many adversities. Frequent earthquakes in the mountains, fires, the conquest of the Ottoman Turks - all this caused destruction to the monastery. But the monastery, like a phoenix, was constantly reborn even more beautiful and elegant. Perhaps this happened because all the rulers of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom considered it a gesture of piety to donate huge sums of money to the monastery. The monastery was not just a holy place. It became a symbol of unconquered Bulgaria. The monastery flourished in the 12th-14th centuries. But even after the Ottoman conquest, it flourished thanks to the efforts of local feudal lords. Hreljo Dragovol revived the monastery after devastating earthquake in the fourteenth century. The Turks plundered and devastated the monastery, but the tower remained, now bearing the name of its builder. Three brothers, Yoasaph, David and Teofan Kyustendil, did a lot for the monastery. In 1466, they asked the Turkish Sultan for a safe conduct for the monastery. An agreement on mutual assistance was also concluded between the monasteries in Rila and Mount Athos (Greece).

Rila Monastery (Bulgaria) today. View in our time

This complex acquired its modern appearance after the devastating fires of 1778 and 1833. But people remembered that during the years of Turkish rule the monastery was a repository of the Bulgarian language, culture and Orthodoxy. In addition, the relics of St. John of Rila, transferred by the Kyustendil brothers from Tarnov, destroyed by the Turks, rested in the monastery. Therefore, money for the restoration of the monastery was collected throughout the country. In 1976, the monastery received the status of a national monument, and in 1983 it was included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List. The Rila Monastery is now inhabited by only nine monks. At the head of the small brethren is the vicar in the rank of bishop, Eulogius of Adrianople. He took monastic vows here in 1979. Since 1991, the monastery has been subordinate to the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Church.

Architectural ensemble of the monastery

The monastery covers an area of ​​9 thousand square meters and has the shape of an irregular quadrangle. The oldest building in the complex is the Dragovola Tower (14th century). What attracts numerous tourists to the Rila Monastery (Bulgaria)? The photo demonstrates that the center and focus of the monastery is the catholicon. Main church was built in the mid-nineteenth century by the architect Pavel Yoanov. But the foundation for the beautiful building made of white and red stone was a small temple from the 14th century. The Catholicon, dedicated in honor of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, is crowned with five domes. The church has two chapels and three altars. The inside of the temple is richly painted with frescoes and contains ancient icons. Along the perimeter of the monastery there are three-tiered galleries in which the monks' cells, a rich library and the monastery museum are located.

Interest for pilgrims

Rila Monastery (Bulgaria) is one of the shrines of Orthodoxy. Within its walls are the relics of St. John, the founder of the monastery. He is rightly called “abbot of all Bulgaria.” The shrine containing the relics is opened at the end of festive services or at the request of groups of pilgrims. Another shrine of the monastery is the miraculous icon of the Holy Mother of God Osenovitsa. The local population simply calls her the Patroness, and the monks call her the image of Hodegetria. The icon is surrounded by a rim in which, in wax recesses, there are small particles of the relics of thirty-two saints. This holy image is located under the richly decorated altar of the church.

Rila Monastery: how to get there

The monastery is located in southwest Bulgaria, in the picturesque mountains. On both sides of the monastery the rivers Rila and Drushlyavitsa flow with their trout-rich waters. Tourists from Sofia get here on their own (the capital is 117 kilometers from the monastery). But no matter what transport you use, by train (once a day, 28 euros) or by bus (every hour, travel time is an hour and a half), you have to get off in Dupnitsa. And from this settlement You can only get to the monastery by taxi. Therefore, many tourists prefer to take excursions to the Rila Monastery. Reviews claim that such a two-day trip from the seaside resorts of Bulgaria is very interesting. Along the way, tourists visit Sofia, explore its many attractions, stop in Rupit at the house of the soothsayer Vanga and at the temple-monument of the Nativity of Christ.