The third of November in the Orthodox Church is the feast of Saint Pimen of Zographou, a humble and gentle monk of the Bulgarian nation, akin in spirit to Saint Ivan of Rila and Saint Dimităr of Basarbovo. Born in Sofia in 1540 after his mother received a vision from the Theotokos, Pimen (then named Pavel) was taught by the elder hieromonk Toma, who trained him in Scripture, chanting, and iconography. After the deaths of his parents and mentor, he sold all he had, gave the proceeds to the poor, and went to Mount Athos, where he was tonsured a monk at Zographou Monastery and given the name Pimen.

At Zographou, Saint Pimen was known for his humility, kindness, and prayer. He endured envy and temptation, yet his meekness turned away malice. Ordained a hieromonk against his will, he served the Liturgy with tears and received gifts of healing and wonderworking. To avoid pride, he withdrew into the wilderness near Athos, living for twenty-five years in ascetic solitude. Once, his prayers brought rain that extinguished a raging fire. Eventually, Saint George appeared to him in a vision, calling him back to his homeland to strengthen the faith of his people under Ottoman rule.

Returning to Bulgaria, Saint Pimen journeyed from Sofia to Vidin, Silistra, and Bachkovo, preaching the Gospel and working miracles of healing. He built or restored nearly three hundred churches and fifteen monasteries, adorning them with frescoes in the Tărnovo architectural style. Among his works were the Cherepish Monastery of the Dormition and the Suhodol Monastery of the Holy Trinity. Saint Pimen reposed in peace at Cherepish in 1620, aged eighty. A restorer of churches and renewer of faith, he remains a bright light of Bulgarian Orthodoxy.

Troparion — Tone 8

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, / and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / O our holy father Pimen, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!