ИСТОРИЯ НА ХРАМ „ВЪВЕДЕНИЕ БОГОРОДИЧНО“ – ГРАД САМОКОВ (XVI–XIX В.)
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH ‘INTRODUCTION OF THE VIRGIN MERRY’ – CITY OF SAMOKOV (XVI – XIX CENTURIES)

Summary/Abstract: Samokov is a small town with an exceptional cultural and spiritual heritage. It is founded in the 14th century as a small mining settlement and in a short time, it occupied as a significant place on the map when it is one of the major iron mining and processing centers. The Bulgarian population is strongly united around the Christian faith and ancestral roots. A significant sign of this are the five Christian churches built on the relatively small territory of the city, which for 350 years was the spiritual and administrative center of the Samokov Diocese (1557–1907). One of the most ancient churches is dedicated to the ‘Introduction of the Virgin Merry of God‘ located in the northern part of the city. The written documents refer to the existence of a small Christian church here which has been renovated and expanded at various times In its current form the church was built in 1829–1834. It was consecrated on 14.09.1834 (Crossroads Day) by Metropolitan Ignatius P. of Samokov. The church like the others in the city is partially frescoed. The iconostasis was made by Debar masters and the icons are the work of the Samokov painters founders of the famous icon painting and art school. Several ‘Jerusalems‘ written and richly ornamented on animal skin, which contain pictures from the earthly life of Christ the Savior and His mother – the Holy Virgin are well preserved. These shrouds were donated by returning pilgrims to the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem whom they called ’hadji’.The church library contains many old printed liturgical books and some them date back to the 16th century. For several decades, it was working the city’s first chamber’s school and it was teaching Bulgarian children to read and write.

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