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Rozhen Monastery- Bulgaria

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The Rozhen Monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God (Bulgarian: Роженски манастир "Рождество Богородично", Rozhenski manastir "Rozhdestvo Bogorodichno", Greek: Μονή Ροζινού, Moni Rozinou) is the largest monastery in the Pirin Mountains of southwestern Bulgaria, nestled among the striking Melnik Earth Pyramids. It is one of the few medieval Bulgarian monasteries that have remained well preserved to this day.

Archaeological evidence of medieval life at the site includes a grave containing coins and ornaments from the reign of Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos (1259–1282). Other discovered artifacts date to the 13th century, while the marble frieze above the church’s central gate is believed to date from the 13th or 14th century. During the time of Despot Alexius Slav, several new monastery buildings were erected. The earliest written record of the monastery appears in a note from 1551 found in a chant book now preserved in the Great Lavra library on Mount Athos.

The monastery church was constructed before the 15th century and decorated with frescoes in 1597, many of which are still visible today. The southern façade was later painted in 1611. Between 1662 and 1674, the Rozhen Monastery suffered a devastating fire that destroyed its library and damaged much of the complex. Restoration efforts, supported by wealthy Bulgarians from across the country, began in 1715 and were completed in 1732.

The monastery flourished during the 19th century, becoming an important regional center of Orthodox Christianity and a major landowner in the area. Nearby lies the grave of the famed Bulgarian revolutionary Yane Sandanski, a figure closely associated with the region’s history.

Morning Worship
Morning Worship
A fresco in the Rozhen Monastery
A fresco in the Rozhen Monastery
Entrance to the monastery church
Entrance to the monastery church
External frescoes of the church
External frescoes of the church
Grave of Yane Sandanski
Grave of Yane Sandanski

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St Nicholas Orthodox Church is a parish of the Diocese of the South, of the Orthodox Church in America.  Established in 1961.  

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