logo
South Korea

WORDS

Iconostasis

Plovdiv

Great female martyrs have traditionally been honoured ever since the times of Bulgarian medieval kings. During the reign of the Assens (12th-13th centuries) the relics of St Nedelya and St Petka were moved to Turnovo, the medieval capital of Bulgaria. The churches built in their honour were later demolished by the Muslim conquerors. Nevertheless, these saints were honoured by all Bulgarians even during the Ottoman rule. The Passional of St. Nedelya, written by Patriarch Euthimius of Turnovo, is still preserved. St Nedelya Church, one of the oldest in Plovdiv, received a new wood-carved iconostasis in 1766 and it is still preserved inside the chapel located in the churchyard.The church was rebuilt in 1831-1832 by the Bratsigovo builder Petko Petkov. The exquisite walnut tree iconostasis, made by the master carver Yane Spirov, is in complete correspondence with the wood-carved throne of the bishop. Above the three-nave pseudo basilica rises the beautiful belfry, well visible from a distance, which was built in 1905 by the architect Mihail Nenkov.This place reminds not only of the struggle for independent Bulgarian church, but also of the death of the martyr St Rada of Plovdiv. She was the sister of Vulko Tchalukov from Koprivshtitsa whose family moved to Plovdiv and became famous for their generous donations. All members of Rada's family fell victim to the Turkish atrocities. First, her husband was killed; later on, in 1837, she was slain in her home together with her children. The Orthodox Church declared them New Martyrs. There is a memorial plaque outside the wall to remind of their martyrdom.

Saint Charalampius served as the bishop of Magnesia, Thessaly, during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus (196-210). Despite the Christian persecutions of his time, he fearlessly preached, healing his wounds through prayer and converting many pagans to Christianity. He was martyred in 198 at the age of 113. In the early 19th century, a temple dedicated to St. Haralampius was located in Plovdiv's 'Marasha' district. In 1874, it was extensively renovated with generous contributions from the kaftan guild. The temple's architecture included a distinctive three-nave pseudo-basilica design with a remarkable dome. The iconostasis, pulpit, and princely throne were beautifully crafted, and the icons were painted by renowned artists. A fire in 1970 damaged the church, leading to restoration work overseen by architect Nikola Ovcharov. A new dome was added, harmonizing with the existing belfry. The interior was adorned with frescoes, and the church was reconsecrated in 1977.

Helpful Links

Read Now

Currently Analyzing

  • Slovenia
  • Seoul (South Korea)
  • North Korea

© 2024 InfoMap.travel. All Rights Reserved.