BTA Hosts News Conference on Occasion of Neophyte of Rila's 230th Birth Anniversary

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Blagoevgrad, Southwest Bulgaria,

12.09.2023 17:38

(BTA)

BTA hosted a press conference at its National Press Club here on Tuesday on the occasion of the 230th birth anniversary of famous 19th century Bulgarian monk and National Revival figure Neophyte of Rila, whose birth anniversary is also marked by national celebrations, held under the auspices of Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Neophyte.

Neophyte of Rila (born Nikola Poppetrov Benin), an important 19th century figure of the Bulgarian National Revival, was born 230 years ago. He was also a monk, teacher and artist, who arrived at Rila Monastery in 1806. The Monastery still houses a huge volume of his works, including the first Bulgarian globe, the first Bulgarian grammar book, a number of literary translations, including of the New Testament, which was published in Izmir in 1840.

Neophyte of Rila spent his last years in the Rila Monastery, where he is also buried.

Much is known in the church and scientific circles about the work and life of Neophyte of Rila, but not so in society, said the Hegumen of the Rila Monastery, Bishop Evlogy of Adrianople, during the press conference.

Metropolitan of Nevrokop Serafim described Neophyte of Rila as a figure who has greatly contributed in his time and outlined the path and trajectory along which the Bulgarian people have progressed in their spiritual growth for over a century, expressing his belief that this will continue to be the case in the centuries to come.

BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said that Neophyte of Rila is one of the most notable figures of Bulgaria's National Revival and Bulgarian history in general.

/MY/