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Popular NameSamokov Monastery
Orthodox NameThe Shroud of God's Mother
RegionSofia
Location
Samokov Monastery - location mapThe Samokov-based convent “The Shroud of God’s Mother” is situated in the very town of Samokov, on Tsar Boris 3 street. It is open to visitors every day, while the church’s holiday is marked on the 1st of October, the day of the Shroud of Saint God’s Mother.


History and general info
The preserved architecture of the monastery buildings, most of which were built some 200 years ago, represents an authentic testimony to the town of Samokov’s renaissance period. The establishment of the monastery is connected to the arrival of a nun, Fota, who had taken holy orders in Russia, from Provdiv in 1772. A Samokov-based convent of the Athos Hilendar’s (Hilendarski) monastery was founded upon her initiative, while Fota became its first mother superior. In 1872, the monastery was officially enlisted in the chronicle of the Metropolitan Church. The monastery was often joined by rich widows from Samokov, who built their own cells and took with them daughters, granddaughters or poor female relatives who served them and attended to their needs. Thus, the monastery gradually expanded. According to the story told by two famous travelers, Georgina Mackenzie and Adeline Irby, who visited Samokov in 1862, the nuns at that time supported themselves with spinning and looming, while the money raised this way was invested in the construction of the monastery’s church. The nuns, the story continues, did not engage in demonstrative charity activities, but neither did they ask for anyone’s help.

The church’s construction started in 1837 and ended in 1838. It was consecrated in 1839. Dimitar Zograf was one of the masters who painted icons for the church. In the narthex, visitors can see a fresco with the image of the Protective God’s Mother, which according to experts was painted by the great master Zahari Zograf.

In the 19th century, the monastery was a true cradle of girl’s education in town. Following Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman rule, the monastery continued to support itself with production of broadcloth, as evidenced also by a Czech historian, Konstantin Jireček. The nuns’ famous white broadcloth took part in several international fairs, such as the International Exhibition in Liege in 1905, the Exhibition of Balkan Countries in London in 1907 and the First Bulgarian Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition in Plovdiv in 1892. The honorary deeds that the nuns received at those fairs, can still be seen in the monastery’s dining hall (so-called ‘magernitsa’) –Hadzhistamov’s house that had been adjoined to the monastery’s complex.
Accommodation and food
One of the monastery’s buildings is used for accommodation of visitors. The nuns also run a charity kitchen for poor fellow citizens, but visitors can have a meal in one of the many restaurants in the town of Samokov.
Transport
The monastery is easy to find as it lies in the heart of Samokov.
Contact phones
0722 26807 
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Visitor ratings - 4 vote(s):
Architectural and historical value: 9.75 / 10
Tourist facilities: 9.00 / 10
Location and landscape: 9.25 / 10
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Comments for Samokov Monastery

Published by BILL & CAROL. on 03 Mar 2008, 06:42
IP address:
Subject: UPDATED SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST.....RECOVERY FROM THE LOSS OF OUR ONLY SON AND OTHER ONGOING SORROWS!

March.2,2008.

Dear Community of Prayer,

Thank you for praying for us in our long dark night of the soul. Darkness at times that goes beyond words ..only pain and sorrow!! PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR US Daily for the long term...March,April,May..2008,2009...or as long as possible?? PLEASE PRAY for God's Healing Peace and Hope in our broken hearts,health and shattered lives!! PLEASE IF POSSIBLE?? Can you help us by passing or E-mailing Our Urgent Prayer Request On: Convents,Monasteries,Parishes,Abbeys,Houses of Prayer and Others you know of in the WORLDWIDE COMMUNITY OF PRAYER...WWW....Who can pray for us daily for the long term?? 2008,2009..?? THE LOSS OF OUR ONLY SON WAS THE FINAL BLOW IN OUR ALREADY BROKEN AND CRUSHED LIVES BY OTHER SORROWS OVER THE YEARS!!! PLEASE PRAY AND PASS ON...WWW....WORLDWIDE COMMUNITY OF PRAYER??? Thank you for Your Patience and Daily Prayer Support in our long dark night of the soul. Bill & Carol, ohio.usa.


Photo gallery


Samokov Monastery - the Complex
Samokov Monastery - the Complex

Samokov Monastery - the Complex
Samokov Monastery - the Complex

Samokov Monastery - the Complex
Samokov Monastery - the Complex

Samokov Monastery - the Complex
Samokov Monastery - the Complex

Samokov Monastery - the Complex
Samokov Monastery - the Complex

Samokov Monastery - the Complex
Samokov Monastery - the Complex

Samokov Monastery - the Complex
Samokov Monastery - the Complex

Samokov Monastery - the Church
Samokov Monastery - the Church

Samokov Monastery - the Church
Samokov Monastery - the Church

Samokov Monastery - the Church
Samokov Monastery - the Church

Samokov Monastery - inside the Church
Samokov Monastery - inside the Church

Samokov Monastery - the Bell Tower
Samokov Monastery - the Bell Tower

Samokov Monastery - the Bell Tower
Samokov Monastery - the Bell Tower

Samokov Monastery - the Yard
Samokov Monastery - the Yard

Samokov Monastery - the Yard
Samokov Monastery - the Yard

Samokov Monastery - the Yard
Samokov Monastery - the Yard



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