Posted by Galin Kirev on September 16, 19101 at 04:19:38:
My precious homeland Bulgaria has a lot of interesting sites to offer to foreign visitors. They range from a number of pretty and well-organized cities, each with a rich cultural and traditional history. But there’s one place that is situated deep into the woods and high up the Rila Mountain. I would certainly choose the Rila Monastery as the most appropriate place to show a foreigner around.
One of the reasons for which I would probably direct my guest’s attention to that particular Monastery is its patron, St. Ivan Rilski. He was an actual historical figure far back in the past. The most stunning characteristic of his personality is his sense of service to God and the Christian religion. He was absolutely devoted to the life of a monk in the monastery and served as a model for a great number of people searching for peace and serenity in times of important political and religious changes.
Another thing I would like to point out to my visitor is the marvelous building, named after its keeper and permanent resident St. Ivan Rilski, the Rila Monastery itself. Its architecture amazes with its simplicity, yet a work of art by some of the most honored woodworkers and painters at that time. The structure of this holy place is strangely untouched by the destructing powers of time. This should be a sign to the thousands of admirers that drive hundreds of kilometers to the monastery every year that this sacred place is truly blessed by the sincere belief of the people that live there and by the Lord himself.
In conclusion, it is my personal opinion that the Rila Monastery is the perfect piece of Bulgaria we are to present to one-day foreign visitors. There’s no other spot on the territory of my country I am more proud of. And I express my hope that in the following years more and more foreign citizen have the chance to absorb the high spirits of this Bulgarian monastery.