GROUP TOURS of BULGRIA Orthodox Christian Bulgaria Christianity over the ages in Bulgaria
VISIT A BULGARIAN MONASTERY or a BULGARIAN CHURCH or SPOT THE NUMEROUS WILD BIRDS including ENDANGERED SPECIES OF BIRDS IN BULGARIA
Personal tours arranged, small groups of 8-20 people, all inclusive with accommodation and tours included, contact tours of Bulgaria to arrange personal tours for 2+ people
Christianization of Bulgaria on a visit to Orthodox Christian Bulgaria
The Christianization of Bulgaria was the process by which 9th-century medieval Bulgaria converted to Christianity.
It was influenced by the shifting political alliances of the Ruler Khan Boris with the kingdom of the East Franks, the Byzantine Empire, and his reception by the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Because of Bulgarias strategic position, both Roman Catholic European Kingdoms and the Byzantine Empire wanted the Bulgarian people To practice their respective religions and be aligned with them politically.
Christianization was considered a means of integrating Slavs into the region after some overtures to each side Khan Boris aligned with
Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Through them he achieved his goal of gaining An independent Bulgarian national church and having an Archbishop appointed to head it.
Tour the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila on a visit to Christian Bulgaria
Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is situated in the Rila Mountains south of capital Sofia.
Traditionally it is thought the monastery was founded During the rule of Tsar Peter I (927-968) by the hermit St Ivan of Rila in fact the hermit lived in a cave not far away from the monasterys location. The monastery being built by his students who came to the mountains to receive their education
The Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgarias most historical and cultural monuments which attracts tourists from Bulgaria and Europe to visit Bulgaria without visiting the Rila Monastery would be to miss something very special
Tour the Bachkovo Monastery on a visit to Christian Bulgarian Orthodox Christianity
The Bachkovo complex is the second largest monastery in Bulgaria it is directly subordinate to the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
It is located on the right bank of the Chepelare River ten kilometres south of Asenovgrad.
The monastery is known and appreciated for the unique combination of Byzantine, Caucasian, and Bulgarian culture united by the Eastern Orthodox Faith
The monastery was founded by Prince Gregory Pakourianos a Georgian statesman in Byzantine service in 1083.
The original monastery survived the first waves of Turkish Invasion into Bulgarian lands, it was later looted and destroyed but restored at the latter end of the 15th century
The only part of the original monastery to have survived the Turkish destruction is the Ossuary situated 300 metres away from the contemporary monastery complex
Tour the Rozhen Monastary on a visit to Christian Bulgaria
The Rozhen Monastary of the Nativity of the Mother of God is the biggest monastery in the Pirin Mountains in South Western Bulgaria, It is one of the few medieval Bulgarian monasteries well preserved to the present time.
The earliest evidence of medieval life within the area of this Monastery is a grave in which was found coins and decorations. Dated from the time of Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII 1259-1282.
Other items found also date to the 13th century while the marble frieze above the central gate of the church dates to the 13th or 14th century
Some new buildings were constructed during the rule of the Despot Alexius Slav a title awarded by Henry of Flanders circa 1208.
The earliest written source testifying to the monasterys existence is a note on a chant book from 1551, now kept in the Great Lavra library on Mount Athos Greece
Tour the Troyan Monastery on a visit to Christian Bulgaria
The Monastery of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God
The Troyan Monastery is the third Largest Monastery in Bulgaria it is located in the northern part of the country in the Balkan Mountains and was founded no later than the end of the sixteenth century
The Monastery is situated on the banks of The Cherni Osam river near Oreshak, A village 10km from Troyan in Lovech Province
This is a popular tourist destination
The Troyan Monastery is also since the 17th century
The home of one of the holiest icons in Bulgarian Orthodoxy the Three Handed Virgin
Tour the Dryanovo Monastery on a visit to Christian Bulgaria
The Dryanovo Monastery is a functioning Bulgarian Orthodox monastery situated in the Andaka River Valley in the Bulgarka Nature Park
In the central part of Bulgaria five kilometres From the town of Dryanovo
It was founded in the 12th century during the time of The Second Bulgarian Empire and is dedicated The Holy Archangel Michael
Twice burnt down and pillaged by the Turks during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria
The monastery was restored at its present place in 1845
It was however the site of several battles during the April Uprising of 1876 causing further damage to the monastery rectified in 1889