site.btaConstruction of New Road to Zograf Monastery Progressing Actively with Bulgarian State's Support

The construction of the new road to the Zograf (Zographou) Monastery is progressing actively with the Bulgarian State's support, it transpired during the visit of a Bulgarian delegation to the monastery on Mt Athos on Saturday. The delegation was led by Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev and also included Agriculture and Food Minister Georgi Tahov, Economy and Industry Minister Petar Dilov, Youth and Sports Minister Ivan Peshev, and Bulgarian Consul General in Thessaloniki Anton Markov, the Government Information Service reported. 

"The Bulgarian State has a commitment to the Zograf Monastery, to the Bulgarian monastic community. There is a need for an alternative new road, which we can see is already very advanced - its construction is financed by the State. This commitment has been confirmed in this year's budget, so that the work on its construction can continue," the Minister is quoted as saying.

The newly elected hegumen of the Zograf (Zographou) Monastery, Archimandrite Gabriel, also stressed the importance of the infrastructure to the life of the community. "It is the only artery connecting the monastery to the outside world. Wagons and mules were used before, while contemporary means are needed today. With the funds allocated last year, a three-kilometre stretch has already been constructed, allowing major reconstruction to begin safely," he specified.

"We were brought up in Bulgaria, baptized there and grew up with the faith in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church," he said.

During the visit, the delegation also got acquainted with the progress of the restoration of the Bulgarian monastery's east wing, another important project funded by the Bulgarian State, the Government Information Service said.