Храмова история и локална идентичност (По материали от с. Сапарево, Кюстендилска област)
Temple History and Local Identity (On Materials from the Village of Saparevo, Kjustendil Region)

Summary/Abstract: The text presents a specific case of immediate relation between the village history and the local identity telling about the building of the temple in the village of Saparevo, Kjustendil District. The characteristic features of the narrative situate it between the sacredness of a Christian legend and the informative perspective of a family legend. The historical context refers to the crucial period during the middle of 19th century when the village had water supply laid on, it was removed on its present day locality and extended in size. This new period in the village community history is made sacred by way of a miraculous Christian legend (Alexy Grahlyov saw the Mother of God in a vision and thus She became the patron of the newly built church). Thus the beginnings of a new life of the community acquired sacred validation, its symbol becoming the new church. Meanwhile, the story about the building of the church is part of the family history of the Grahlyov family, thus possessing the authenticity and informative quality of a family legend. In that way, the real events from the history of the Saparevo villagers turn out to be a result of Divine inspiration and the villagers themselves – most zealous Christians. The oral narratives are interesting for their genre specifics and the possible intentional spheres of structuring and development (“historical” quality of the legend and also its sacred character), in accord with the discursive strategies of the story-tellers and the requirements of the context. Besides, the analysis of the involved plots, protagonists and motives shows relations with the liturgical texts and draws attention to the issues of the so called “Folk Bible”.

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