Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rila Monastery (Рилски манастир Rilski Manastir) is Bulgaria's most iconic Eastern Orthodox monastery and the biggest one too. Located south of Sofia, the fact that they said this was an absolute must-see meant there was no way I was passing up the much-needed detour to come here even though we had to head to Plovdiv by the afternoon.
Also known as The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, it is an important part of Bulgaria, culturally and historically. It’s very unique architecture also makes it stand out among the many others of its kind.
Seen in this album cover is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption along with the Tower of Hrelyu. Learnt a whole lot that morning about the architectural, cultural and historical significance of the Rila Monastery. Let’s see if I can piece those up in a flowing way.
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Meet Mr Stoyanov, the proud father of a flight engineer who now works long-term in Singapore. Incredible coincidence eh? I still owe him something though, meeting the younger Mr Stoyanov for a cup of coffee or a meal. I'll have to do that when I finally get back to Singapore.
Not that I haven't already learnt that from my Bulgarian sisters and those I met in Sofia, but Mr Stoyanov here emphasised the point that Bulgarians are an incredibly friendly bunch of people.
There was a very special feel about the entire compound, a very spiritual one. Maybe its location among the mountains helped a little, but there was just this sense that you could feel God’s presence here. A very calming and peaceful presence. At the same time, you got an "Awake My Soul" feel where you just couldn't help but stretch your hands out and lift your eyes to heaven and sing "How Great is Our God"!
My mum couldn't help herself but to shout out with praise too.
We've got multiple cameras, so it's not often that I get a picture of my mum and dad together.
Time for the culture and history flashbacks...
Bulgaria was converted into Christianity in 865 by Prince Boris I and after that, monasteries were built so that the Christians could go for a spiritual retreat.
I mentioned earlier about the Rila Mountains... So it turns out that God revealed to the people here (through the Holy Spirit) that the Rila Mountains was a good place for spiritual enhancement (as they would call it).
The Venerable St. John of Rila (born 876) settled down and lived here as a hermit. He dedicated himself to a life of complete isolation and prayer. He spent years praying, fasting and sought strength only from God who protected him.
It is said that because of John's dedication, God honoured Bulgaria with His incorruptible relics, or which many are found within the Rila Monastery. These relics were regarded as a source for healing with God's blessings. The people went as far as to regard this as Bulgaria's Jerusalem.
The frescoes on the walls of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. Incredibly detailed yet very clearly distinct from the paintings of the events in Western Europe.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption with the Tower of Hrelyu to the left.
Family shot with the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption
So Dad, are you taking a picture of me or is it the other way around?
Back to the story. So...
Over the years, the Rila Monastery has been a lighthouse, a place of miracles, healing and spiritual support for Bulgarians, especially the Christians, during the years of slavery under the Ottomans.
Photos of little children are always full of special meanings. To them, everything of this world fascinates them. Yet, all I can think of is what Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."
I'm often not up to it because I'm weak as ever and unworthy. But when I look at river flows, I'm always encouraged by God's promise that if we can be steadfast in our love for Him, we will have peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.
The 2nd entrance to the monastery, or perhaps it's the back entrance.
The Rila Monastery is regarded as a Bulgarian masterpiece that influenced the other Christian nations under the Ottoman rule. Under the Ottomans, the Rila Monastery became the centre where Bulgaria could find its spiritual and cultural identity.
My little sister's turn for this shot... Took you long enough.
With the mystical Rila Mountains in the background, the Rila Monastery is seen as "one of the peak examples of building craftsmanship of the Balkans which exerted considerable influence on architecture and aesthetics within the Balkan area in the 19th century" (http://whc.unesco.org/)
Immersing in the spiritual presence of God is always a good reminder to me of how small and unworthy I am.
The cultural and historical lessons I've learnt in this incredibly spiritual monastery point to how vulnerable and weak I am without Him.
It's our humbleness that draws us to God, so perhaps we need to learn to stop judging people based on our own level of "righteousness".
Right then... next stop... Plovdiv!
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