site.btaParliamentary Delegation Visits Zograf Monastery

A Bulgarian delegation led by Chair of the National Assembly Rosen Zhelyazkov visited the “Saint George the Zograf” monastery in Mount Athos, where they held talks with the monastic brotherhood, Parliament’s press centre said on Wednesday.

Zhelyazkov expressed gratitude on behalf of the entire delegation for the opportunity to see one of the most sacred and significant spiritual centers for the Bulgarian people - the monastery of St. George the Zograf - which preserves priceless manuscripts, icons and artefacts and has upheld Bulgarian faith, spirituality, memory and language for more than a millennium.

Rosen Zhelyazkov hailed the monastery prior, Archimandrite Elder Ambrosius, for the tireless, united and purposeful activity of the spiritual leadership of the monastery to preserve its Bulgarian character and to attract new monks and novices.

The monastery can count on the support and commitment of the Bulgarian state for the restoration and preservation of the cultural, historical and architectural heritage of the monastery, Rosen Zhelyazkov stressed. He also examined the part of the monastery that is being renovated.

In 2020, with the help of the state, the largest project to restore the “Bansko” wing and preserve the architectural heritage of the monastery was launched. Various smaller projects are being worked on and prepared. A modern energy photovoltaic system is being introduced, and overall conditions have been improved.

On November 16, the MPs will participate in the solemn service in the temple on the occasion of the feast of the monastery and will join the procession with the miraculous icon of St. George.

The parliamentary delegation also includes deputy chair of the National Assembly and MP of Vazrazhdane Tsoncho Ganev, chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and MP of GERB-UDF Radomir Cholakov, Hristo Daskalov, MP of Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, Rumen Gechev, MP of BSP for Bulgaria, Stanislav Bogdanski, MP of There Is Such a People, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Tihomir Stoychev.

The Zograf monastery was founded at the end of the 10th century by the three brothers Aaron, John and Moses, originally from the town of Ohrid. Currently, it is home to 36 monks and 8 novices.