Bulgaria Folder, Danube rivers North, Rila Mountains Center, Roman Roads North and South.kmz

Bulgaria Folder, Danube rivers North, Rila Mountains Center, Roman Roads North and South

Balkan Mountains
Balkan Mountains ;

Balkan Peninsula
Balkan Peninsula; New-martyr John of Thasos, Commemorated on December 20 ; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8;

Bulgaria (Rila Mountains, Upper Thracian Plain, South of the Danube)
Bulgaria ; Kutmichivitsa Region of Bulgaria; K Triangle, Kutmichevitsa triangle Saloniki-Skopje-Vlora; Equal of the Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, in Holy Baptism Basil, the Enlightener of the Russian Land, Commemorated on July 15; Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria, Commemorated on July 18; Hieromartyr Apollinaris the Bishop of Ravenna, Commemorated on July 23; Equal of the Apostles Clement of Ochrid the Bishop of Greater Macedonia, Commemorated on July 27 ; Venerable Isaac the Ascetic of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople, Commemorated on August 3; New Martyr Triandaphyllus of Stara Zagora, Commemorated on August 8 ; Venerable Gregory of Sinai, Mt. Athos, Commemorated on August 8; Translation of the relics of St Maximus the Confessor, Commemorated on August 13; Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18 ; Hieromartyr Philip the Bishop of Heraclea, Commemorated August 20 ; Martyr Severus and 38 Soldiers in Thrace, Commemorated on August 20; Martyr Agathonicus of Nicomedia, and others who suffered under Maximian, Commemorated on August 22; St Barses the Confessor, Commemorated August 25 ; St Liberius the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on August 27 ; St Anastasius of the Strumitza Eparchy, Commemorated on August 29; Translation of the relics of St Alexander Nevsky, Commemorated August 30 ; 40 Women Martyrs at Heraclea, in Thrace, Commemorated September 1 ; Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion, Commemorated on September 13; Venerable Hierotheus the Younger of Iveron of Mt Athos, Commemorated on September 13; Repose of St. Anthimus, Bishop of Georgia, Commemorated on September 14; Greatmartyr Nicetas the Goth, Commemorated on September 15 ; Martyr Theodotus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on September 15 ; Martyr Melitina of Marcianopolis, Commemorated September 16 ; St Sebastiana the Martyr and Disciple of St Paul the Apostle at Heraclea, Commemorated September 16 ; Venerable Cosmas the Bulgarian of Zographou of Mt Athos, Commemorated on September 21; Venerable Cosmas of the Zographou Monastery on Mt. Athos, Commemorated on September 22; Venerable John (Koukouzelis) the Hymnographer of Mt. Athos, Albania, Commemorated October 1 ; New Martyr Chryse (Zlata) of Meglena, Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 13 ; Translation of the relics of St Hilarion the Bishop of Meglin in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 21 ; Venerable Pimen the Bulgarian of the Zographou Monastery on Mt. Athos, Commemorated November 3 ; Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Commemorated November 5 ; St Theophilus the Confessor of Bulgaria; Righteous Michael the soldier of Potouka, Bulgaria, Commemorated November 22 ; Hieromartyr Gregory (Peradze) of Georgia, Commemorated November 23 ; St Clement the Bishop of Ochrid and Enlightener of the Bulgarians, Commemorated on November 25 ; Venerable Nectarius of Bitolya and Mt Athos, Commemorated December 5 ; Venerable Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople, Commemorated on December 11 ; Venerable Luke the New Stylite of Chalcedon, Commemorated on December 11; Venerable Nectarius of Bitolya and Mt Athos; St Nectarius of Bite, Commemorated December 15 ; New-martyr John of Thasos, Commemorated December 20 ; Venerable Nicholas the Monk of Bulgaria, Commemorated December 24 ; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; St Sava I, First Archbishop of Serbia, Commemorated January 12 ; St Prochorus the Abbot in the Vranski Desert on the river Pshina in Bulgaria, Commemorated January 15 ; Venerable Gabriel, Founder of Lesnov Monastery in Bulgaria, Commemorated January 15 ; Hieromartyr Damascene of Hilandar of Mt Athos, Commemorated January 16 ; Venerable Romilus of Ravenica, Commemorated January 16 ; Martyr Inna, Disciples of the Apostle Andrew, in Scythia, Commemorated January 20 ; St Maximus the Confessor, Commemorated January 21 ; Martyr Manuel the Bishop in Bulgaria, Commemorated January 22 ; St Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated on January 25 ; Blessed Peter the King of Bulgaria, Commemorated January 30 ; St Demetrius, the New Martyr of Sliven, Commemorated January 30 ; Icon of the Mother of God "Sokolsky", Commemorated February 1 ; St Photius the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on February 6; Venerable Luke of Hellas, Commemorated on February 7 ; St John Chimchimeli the Philosopher, Commemorated on February 10 ; Venerable Stephen (In Monasticism Simeon), the Myrrhgusher and Prince of Serbia, Commemorated on February 13; CYRIL AND METHODIUS, MISSIONARIES TO THE SLAVS (14 FEB 869) ; Greatmartyr Theodore the Tyro (ÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â€ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Âœthe RecruitÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â€ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚ÂÂÂÂ), Commemorated on February 17; St John Chimchimeli the Philosopher; St Theodosius the Bulgarian, with his disciple Romanos, Commemorated February 17 ; Martyr Maximus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated February 19; St John the New Martyr of Bulgaria, Commemorated on March 5; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 8; St Cyril the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated on March 18; Monkmartyr Euthymius of Prodromou of Mt Athos, Commemorated on March 22; Martyr Enravota - Boyan, the Prince of Bulgaria, Commemorated on March 28; Repose of St Jonah the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Commemorated on March 31; Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria, Commemorated on April 1; St Methodius, Equal of the Apostles and Archbishop of Moravia, Enlightener of the Slavs, Commemorated on April 6; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; New Martyr Raphael of Lesbos, Commemorated on April 9; St Boris (in Holy Baptism Michael), Equal of the Apostles, Prince and Baptizer of Bulgaria, Commemorated on May 2 ; Equal of the Apostles and Teacher of the Slavs, Methodius, Commemorated on May 11; St Boris (in Holy Baptism Michael), Equal of the Apostles, Prince and Baptizer of Bulgaria, Commemorated on May 2; Venerable Isaac the Founder of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople, Commemorated on March 22; Martyr Enravota - Boyan, the Prince of Bulgaria, Commemorated on March 28; Venerable Hypatius the Abbot of Rufinus in Chalcedon, Commemorated on March 31; Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria, Commemorated on April 1; Martyr Pausilippus of Heraclea in Thrace, Commemorated on April 8; Martyr Sava the Goth of Wallachia, Commemorated on April 15; Monkmartyr Agathangelus of Esphigmenou of Mt Athos, Commemorated on April 19; Venerable Theodore Trichinas ÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â€ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Âœthe Hair-Shirt WearerÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â€ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚ÂÂÂÂ and Hermit Near Constantinople, Commemorated on April 20; Martyr Pasikrates in Moesia, Bulgaria, Commemorated on April 24; St Sava Brancovici the Metropolitan of Ardeal, and the Confessor of Romania, Commemorated on April 24; Martyr Dada at Dorostolum, Commemorated on April 28 ; New Martyr Acacius the Martyr of Mt Athos and Seres, Commemorated on May 1; New Martyr Euthymius of Mt Athos, Commemorated on May 1; New Martyr Ignatius the Martyr of Mt Athos, Commemorated on May 1; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1; New Martyr Ephraim, Commemorated on May 5; Hieromartyr Mocius the Presbyter of Amphipolis in Macedonia, Commemorated on May 11; Martyr Alexander of Rome, Commemorated on May 13; St Achilles the Bishop of Larissa, Commemorated on May 15 ; Venerable Macarius the Archimandrite of Obruch (Kanev), Commemorated on May 13; St John-Vladimir the Prince of Bulgaria, the Greatmartyr and Miracle-worker, Commemorated on May 22; Greatmartyr George the New at Sofia, Bulgaria, Commemorated on May 26; Venerable Isaac the Founder of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople, Commemorated on May 30 ; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 31 ; Martyr Sophia of Thrace, Commemorated on June 4; Martyrs of Niculitsel, Commemorated on June 4; Hieromartyr Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre, Commemorated on June 5; Venerable Peter of Mt. Athos, Commemorated on June 12 ; St Ephraim the Bulgarian, Patriarch of Serbia, Commemorated on June 15; Translation of the relics of St Theodore the Sykeote, Commemorated on June 15; Martyr Zosimus the Soldier at Antioch, in Pisidia, Commemorated on June 19; Venerable Paisius of Hilandar, Bulgaria, Commemorated on June 19 ; St Nahum of Ochrid, the Disciple of SS Cyril and Methodius, Equals of the Apostles, Commemorated on June 20; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22; Appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, Commemorated on June 26; ISABEL FLORENCE HAPGOOD, ECUMENIST and JOURNALIST, 1929, Commemorated June 26 ; Translation of the relics of the Venerable John of Rila from Trnovo to Rila, Commemorated on July 1; Venerable Peter of Constantinople, Commemorated on July 1; The Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Most Holy Mother of God at Blachernae, Commemorated on July 2;

Bulgaria (Sophia)
Bulgaria; Equal of the Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, in Holy Baptism Basil, the Enlightener of the Russian Land, Commemorated on July 15 ; Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria, Commemorated on July 18; Hieromartyr Apollinaris the Bishop of Ravenna, Commemorated on July 23; Equal of the Apostles Clement of Ochrid the Bishop of Greater Macedonia, Commemorated on July 27 ; Venerable Isaac the Ascetic of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople, Commemorated on August 3; New Martyr Triandaphyllus of Stara Zagora, Commemorated on August 8 ; Venerable Gregory of Sinai, Mt. Athos, Commemorated on August 8; Translation of the relics of St Maximus the Confessor, Commemorated on August 13; Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18 ; Hieromartyr Philip the Bishop of Heraclea, Commemorated August 20 ; Martyr Severus and 38 Soldiers in Thrace, Commemorated on August 20; Martyr Agathonicus of Nicomedia, and others who suffered under Maximian, Commemorated on August 22; St Barses the Confessor, Commemorated August 25 ; St Liberius the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on August 27 ; St Anastasius of the Strumitza Eparchy, Commemorated on August 29; Translation of the relics of St Alexander Nevsky, Commemorated August 30 ; 40 Women Martyrs at Heraclea, in Thrace, Commemorated September 1 ; Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion, Commemorated on September 13; Venerable Hierotheus the Younger of Iveron of Mt Athos, Commemorated on September 13; Repose of St. Anthimus, Bishop of Georgia, Commemorated on September 14; Greatmartyr Nicetas the Goth, Commemorated on September 15 ; Martyr Theodotus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on September 15 ; Martyr Melitina of Marcianopolis, Commemorated September 16 ; St Sebastiana the Martyr and Disciple of St Paul the Apostle at Heraclea, Commemorated September 16 ; Venerable Cosmas the Bulgarian of Zographou of Mt Athos, Commemorated on September 21; Venerable John (Koukouzelis) the Hymnographer of Mt. Athos, Albania, Commemorated October 1 ; Translation of the relics of St Hilarion the Bishop of Meglin in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 21 ; Venerable Pimen the Bulgarian of the Zographou Monastery on Mt. Athos, Commemorated November 3 ; Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Commemorated November 5 ; Righteous Michael the soldier of Potouka, Bulgaria, Commemorated November 22 ; Hieromartyr Gregory (Peradze) of Georgia, Commemorated November 23 ; St Clement the Bishop of Ochrid and Enlightener of the Bulgarians, Commemorated on November 25 ; Icon of the Mother of God of Damascus, Commemorated on December 4 ; Venerable Nectarius of Bitolya and Mt Athos, Commemorated December 5 ; St Gregory Palamas the Archbishop of Thessalonica; St Nectarius of Bite, Commemorated December 15 ; Venerable Nicholas the Monk of Bulgaria, Commemorated December 24 ; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; St Sava I, First Archbishop of Serbia, Commemorated January 12 ; St Prochorus the Abbot in the Vranski Desert on the river Pshina in Bulgaria, Commemorated January 15 ; Venerable Gabriel, Founder of Lesnov Monastery in Bulgaria, Commemorated January 15 ; Hieromartyr Damascene of Hilandar of Mt Athos, Commemorated January 16 ; Venerable Romilus of Ravenica, Commemorated January 16 ; Martyr Inna, Disciples of the Apostle Andrew, in Scythia, Commemorated January 20 ; Martyr Manuel the Bishop in Bulgaria, Commemorated January 22; St Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated on January 25 ; Blessed Peter the King of Bulgaria, Commemorated January 30 ; St Demetrius, the New Martyr of Sliven, Commemorated January 30 ; Icon of the Mother of God "Sokolsky", Commemorated February 1 ; St Photius the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on February 6; Venerable Luke of Hellas, Commemorated on February 7 ; St John Chimchimeli the Philosopher, Commemorated on February 10 ; Venerable Stephen (In Monasticism Simeon), the Myrrhgusher and Prince of Serbia, Commemorated on February 13; CYRIL AND METHODIUS, MISSIONARIES TO THE SLAVS (14 FEB 869) ; Greatmartyr Theodore the Tyro (ÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â€ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Âœthe RecruitÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â€ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚ÂÂÂÂ), Commemorated on February 17; St Theodosius the Bulgarian, with his disciple Romanos, Commemorated February 17 ; Martyr Maximus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated February 19; St John the New Martyr of Bulgaria, Commemorated on March 5; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 8; St Cyril the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated on March 18; Monkmartyr Euthymius of Prodromou of Mt Athos, Commemorated on March 22; Venerable Isaac the Founder of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople, Commemorated on March 22; Martyr Enravota - Boyan, the Prince of Bulgaria, Commemorated on March 28; Repose of St Jonah the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Commemorated on March 31; Venerable Hypatius the Abbot of Rufinus in Chalcedon, Commemorated on March 31; Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria, Commemorated on April 1; St Methodius, Equal of the Apostles and Archbishop of Moravia, Enlightener of the Slavs, Commemorated on April 6; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; Martyr Pausilippus of Heraclea in Thrace, Commemorated on April 8; New Martyr Raphael of Lesbos, Commemorated on April 9; Martyr Sava the Goth of Wallachia, Commemorated on April 15; Monkmartyr Agathangelus of Esphigmenou of Mt Athos, Commemorated on April 19; Venerable Theodore Trichinas ÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â€ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Âœthe Hair-Shirt WearerÃƒÂƒÃ‚Â¢ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚Â€ÃƒÂ‚Ã‚ÂÂÂÂ and Hermit Near Constantinople, Commemorated on April 20; Martyr Pasikrates in Moesia, Bulgaria, Commemorated on April 24; St Sava Brancovici the Metropolitan of Ardeal, and the Confessor of Romania, Commemorated on April 24; Martyr Dada at Dorostolum, Commemorated on April 28 ; New Martyr Acacius the Martyr of Mt Athos and Seres, Commemorated on May 1; New Martyr Euthymius of Mt Athos, Commemorated on May 1; New Martyr Ignatius the Martyr of Mt Athos, Commemorated on May 1; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1; St Boris (in Holy Baptism Michael), Equal of the Apostles, Prince and Baptizer of Bulgaria, Commemorated on May 2 ; New Martyr Ephraim, Commemorated on May 5; Equal of the Apostles and Teacher of the Slavs, Methodius, Commemorated on May 11; Hieromartyr Mocius the Presbyter of Amphipolis in Macedonia, Commemorated on May 11; Martyr Alexander of Rome, Commemorated on May 13; Venerable Macarius the Archimandrite of Obruch (Kanev), Commemorated on May 13; St Achilles the Bishop of Larissa, Commemorated on May 15 ; St John-Vladimir the Prince of Bulgaria, the Greatmartyr and Miracle-worker, Commemorated on May 22; Greatmartyr George the New at Sofia, Bulgaria, Commemorated on May 26; Venerable Isaac the Founder of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople, Commemorated on May 30 ; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 31 ; Martyr Sophia of Thrace, Commemorated on June 4; Martyrs of Niculitsel, Commemorated on June 4; Hieromartyr Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre, Commemorated on June 5; Venerable Peter of Mt. Athos, Commemorated on June 12 ; St Ephraim the Bulgarian, Patriarch of Serbia, Commemorated on June 15; Translation of the relics of St Theodore the Sykeote, Commemorated on June 15; Martyr Zosimus the Soldier at Antioch, in Pisidia, Commemorated on June 19; Venerable Paisius of Hilandar, Bulgaria, Commemorated on June 19 ; St Nahum of Ochrid, the Disciple of SS Cyril and Methodius, Equals of the Apostles, Commemorated on June 20; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22; Appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, Commemorated on June 26; ISABEL FLORENCE HAPGOOD, ECUMENIST and JOURNALIST, 1929, Commemorated June 26 ; Venerable Peter of Constantinople, Commemorated on July 1; The Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Most Holy Mother of God at Blachernae, Commemorated on July 2;

Bulgaria, Old Great Bulgaria
Bulgaria, Old Great Bulgaria; Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria, Commemorated on April 1;

Bulgaria, 480BC-46AD, Odrysian kingdom
Bulgaria, 480BC-46AD, Odrysian kingdom ; Bulgaria, 46-681, Roman Times;

Bulgaria, 46-681, Roman Times
Bulgaria, 46-681, Roman Times;

Bulgaria, 681-1018, First Bulgarian Empire
Bulgaria, 681-1018, First Bulgarian Empire ; St John-Vladimir the Prince of Bulgaria, the Greatmartyr and Miracle-worker, Commemorated on May 22;

Bulgaria, 1185-1422, Second Bulgarian Empire
Bulgaria, 1185-1422, Second Bulgarian Empire; St Philothea of Thrace, the Protectress of Romania, Commemorated on December 7;

Bulgaria, 1362-1919, Caliphates, Ottoman, Turk, first based in Adrianople
Ottoman Caliphate, first based in Adrianople, 1362-1919 (The Turks);

Bulgarian History Folder

Bulgaria, 480BC-46AD Folder, Odrysian kingdom

Bulgaria, 30-681, Folder, Roman Times

Bulgaria, 000, 1st Century, Apostles Andrew, Herman, Centurion Cornelius

Bulgaria, 46, Andrew first called, to Thrace Bulgaria, Patra, Danube, Black Sea, Crimea, Dniepr, Kiev, Novgorod, Sinope
Russia,Kiev, 30-70, Andrew t Apostle, first called, Peter's bro, J t Forerunner's closest disciple w J t Theologian, f Bethsaida, fisherman, sent to Jesus, to Asia M, Thrace, Macedonia, Danube, Black Sea, Crimea, Dniepr, Kiev, Novgorod, Byzantium, Rome, Sinope, Patra, miracles w preaching, crucified ; Kiev, 1st Century, Saint Andrew the Apostle; Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called, Commemorated on November 30; Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called was the first of the Apostles to follow Christ, he later brought his own brother, the holy Apostle Peter, to Christ (John 1:35-42). future apostle was from Bethsaida, and from his youth he turned with all his soul to God. did not enter into marriage, he worked with his brother as a fisherman. the holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John began to preach, Saint Andrew became his closest disciple. Christ to be the Lamb of God, Saint John the Baptist himself sent to Christ his own two disciples, the future Apostles Andrew and John the Theologian. the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, Saint Andrew went to the Eastern lands preaching the Word of God. went through Asia Minor, Thrace, Macedonia, he reached the River Danube, went along the coast of the Black Sea, through Crimea, the Black Sea region and along the River Dniepr he climbed to the place where the city of Kiev now stands. stopped overnight on the hills of Kiev. Rising in the morning, he said to those disciples that were with him: “See these hills? Upon these hills shall shine forth the beneficence of God, and there will be a great city here, and God shall raise up many churches.” apostle went up around the hills, blessed them and set up a cross. prayed, he went up even further along the Dniepr and reached a settlement of the Slavs, where Novgorod was built. here the apostle went through the land of the Varangians towards Rome for preaching, again he returned to Thrace, where in the small village of Byzantium, the future Constantinople, he founded the Church of Christ. name of the holy Apostle Andrew links the mother, the Church of Constantinople, with her daughter, the Russian Church. his journeys the First-Called Apostle endured many sufferings and torments from pagans: they cast him out of their cities and they beat him. Sinope they pelted him with stones, but remaining unharmed, the persistent disciple of Christ continued to preach to people about the Savior. the prayers of the Apostle, the Lord worked miracles. By the labors of the holy Apostle Andrew, Christian Churches were established, for which he provided bishops and clergy. final city to which the Apostle came was the city of Patra, where he was destined to suffer martyrdom. Lord worked many miracles through His disciple in Patra. The infirm were made whole, and the blind received their sight. the prayers of the Apostle, the illustrious citizen Sosios recovered from serious illness and Maximilla and Stratokles, the wife and brother of the governor of Patra, were healed. miracles accomplished by the Apostle and his fiery speech enlightened almost all the citizens of the city of Patra with the true Faith. pagans remained at Patra, but among them was the prefect of the city, Aegeatos. The Apostle Andrew repeatedly turned to him with the words of the Gospel. But even the miracles of the Apostle did not convince Aegeatos. holy Apostle with love and humility appealed to his soul, striving to reveal to him the Christian mystery of life eternal, through the wonderworking power of the Holy Cross of the Lord. angry Aegeatos gave orders to crucify the apostle. The pagan thought he might undo Saint Andrew’s preaching if he were to put him to death on the cross. Andrew the First-Called accepted the decision of the prefect with joy and with prayer to the Lord, went willingly to the place of execution. order to prolong the suffering of the saint, Aegeatos gave orders not to nail the saint’s hands and feet, but to tie them to the cross. For two days the apostle taught the citizens who gathered about. people, in listening to him, with all their souls pitied him and tried to take Saint Andrew down from the cross. a riot of the people, Aegeatos gave orders to stop the execution. the holy apostle began to pray that the Lord would grant him death on the cross. as the soldiers tried to take hold of the Apostle Andrew, they lost control of their hands. crucified apostle, having given glory to God, said: “Lord Jesus Christ, receive my spirit.” a blazing ray of divine light illumined the cross and the martyr crucified upon it. When the light faded, the holy Apostle Andrew had already given up his holy soul to the Lord. the wife of the prefect, had the body of the saint taken down from the cross, and buried him with honor. few centuries later, under the emperor Constantine the Great, the relics of the holy Apostle Andrew were solemnly transferred to Constantinople and placed in the church of the Holy Apostles beside the relics of the holy Evangelist Luke and Saint Paul’s disciple Saint Timothy.

Bulgaria, 41-54, Cornelius, Centurion, Peter, sheet, eat everything, salvation, Skepsis, idols, earthquake, wife and c
Palestine Centurion, 1st Century, Cornelius the Centurion; was a Roman centurion who is considered by Christians to be the first Gentile to convert to the faith, as related in Acts of the Apostles (see Ethiopian eunuch for the competing tradition). The baptism of Cornelius is an important event in the history of the early Christian church. account[edit] was a centurion in the Cohors II Italica Civium Romanorum, mentioned as Cohors Italica in the Vulgate.[2][3] He was stationed in Caesarea, the capital of Roman Iudaea province.[4] He is depicted in the New Testament as a God-fearing man[5] who always prayed and was full of good works and deeds of alms. Cornelius receives a vision in which an angel of God tells him that his prayers have been heard; he understands that he has been chosen for a higher alternative. The angel then instructs Cornelius to send the men of his household to Joppa, where they will find Simon Peter, who is residing with a tanner by the name of Simon (Acts 10:5ff). conversion of Cornelius comes after a separate vision given to Simon Peter himself (Acts 10:10–16). In the vision, Simon Peter sees all manner of beasts and fowl being lowered from Heaven in a sheet. A voice commands Simon Peter to eat. When he objects to eating those animals that are unclean according to Mosaic Law, the voice tells him not to call unclean that which God has cleansed.[6] Cornelius' men arrive, Simon Peter understands that through this vision the Lord commanded the Apostle to preach the Word of God to the Gentiles. Peter accompanies Cornelius' men back to Caesarea.[6] When Cornelius meets Simon Peter, he falls at Peter's feet. Simon Peter raises the centurion and the two men share their visions. Simon Peter tells of Jesus' ministry and the Resurrection; the Holy Spirit descends on everyone at the gathering. The Jews among the group are amazed that Cornelius and other uncircumcised should begin speaking in tongues, praising God. Thereupon Simon Peter commands that Cornelius and his followers, "kinsmen and near friends", be baptized.[7] The controversial aspect of Gentile conversion is taken up later at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15). situation of Judea[edit] into account that Judea had been within the Hellenic orbit since the conquest of Alexander the Great, there was time for wise men and philosophers, both Greek and Jewish, to exchange knowledge, thus beginning the syncretism between Hellenism and Judaism, a phenomenon that occurred in the rest of his empire. Later with the arrival of the Romans (already Hellenized), there were no problems of religious tolerance (except in the case of the Zealots), since thanks to the interpretatio graeca exported by the Macedonians, it was possible to identify Caelus (Roman god) or Uranus (his Greek equivalent) and Yahweh as the Supreme God himself, allowing conversion cases like Cornelius.[8][9][10] this painting by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout an angel appears to the Roman centurion Cornelius. The angel tells him to seek out St. Peter.[11] The Walters Art Museum. any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? — Acts 10:47 Cornelius is considered to be one of the first Gentiles converted to Christianity.[12] baptism of Cornelius is an important event in the history of the early Christian church, along with the conversion and baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch. The Christian church was first formed around the original disciples and followers of Jesus, all of whom, including Jesus himself, were Galilean, except for Judas, who was Judean. All males in the Judean community were Jews: they were circumcised and observed the Law of Moses. The reception of Cornelius sparked a debate among the leaders of the new community of followers of Jesus, culminating in the decision to allow Gentiles to become Christians without conforming to Jewish requirements for circumcision, as recounted in Acts 15. Certain traditions hold Cornelius as becoming either the first bishop of Caesarea, or the bishop of Scepsis in Mysia.[4][7] feast day on the new Martyrologium Romanum is 20 October. He is commemorated in the Orthodox tradition on 13 September.[6] is honored[13] with a Lesser Feast on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America[14] on January 4.[15] When Governors Island in New York City was a military installation, the Episcopal Church maintained a stone chapel there dedicated to him.[16] Greek-French philosopher Cornelius Castoriadis is named after him.[17] Martyr Demetrius with his wife and son, at Skepsis on the Hellespont, Commemorated on September 11 ; Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion, Commemorated September 13 ; Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion: Soon after the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross and His Ascension into Heaven, a centurion by the name of Cornelius settled at Caesarea in Palestine. He had lived previously in Thracian Italy. Although he was a pagan, he distinguished himself by deep piety and good deeds, as the holy Evangelist Luke says (Acts 10:1). The Lord did not disdain his virtuous life, and so led him to the knowledge of truth and to faith in Christ. Cornelius was praying in his home. An angel of God appeared to him and said that his prayer had been heard and accepted by God. The angel commande him to send people to Joppa to find Simon, also called Peter. Cornelius immediately fulfilled the command. those people were on their way to Joppa, the Apostle Peter was at prayer, and he had a vision: three times a great sheet was lowered down to him, filled with all kinds of beasts and fowl. He heard a voice from Heaven commanding him to eat everything. When the apostle refused to eat food which Jewish Law regarded as unclean, the voice said: “What God hath cleansed, you must not call common” (Acts 10:15). this vision the Lord commanded the Apostle Peter to preach the Word of God to the pagans. When the Apostle Peter arrived at the house of Cornelius in the company of those sent to meet him, he was received with great joy and respect by the host together with his kinsmen and comrades. fell down at the feet of the apostle and requested to be taught the way of salvation. Saint Peter talked about the earthly life of Jesus Christ, and spoke of the miracles and signs worked by the Savior, and of His teachings about the Kingdom of Heaven. Then Saint Peter told him of the Lord’s death on the Cross, His Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, Cornelius believed in Christ and was baptized with all his family. He was the first pagan to receive Baptism. retired from the world and went preaching the Gospel together with the Apostle Peter, who made him a bishop. When the Apostle Peter, together with his helpers Saints Timothy and Cornelius, was in the city of Ephesus, he learned of a particularly vigorous idol-worship in the city of Skepsis. Lots were drawn to see who would go there, and Saint Cornelius was chosen. the city lived a prince by the name of Demetrius, learned in the ancient Greek philosophy, hating Christianity and venerating the pagan gods, in particular Apollo and Zeus. Learning about the arrival of Saint Cornelius in the city, he immediately summoned him and asked him the reason for his coming. Saint Cornelius answered that he came to free him from the darkness of ignorance and lead him to knowledge of the True Light. prince, not comprehending the meaning of what was said, became angry and demanded that he answer each of his questions. When Saint Cornelius explained that he served the Lord and that the reason for his coming was to announce the Truth, the prince became enraged and demanded that Cornelius offer sacrifice to the idols. saint asked to be shown the gods. When he entered the pagan temple, Cornelius turned towards the east and uttered a prayer to the Lord. There was an earthquake, and the temple of Zeus and the idols situated in it were destroyed. All the populace, seeing what had happened, were terrified. prince was even more vexed and began to take counsel together with those approaching him, about how to destroy Cornelius. They bound the saint and took him to prison for the night. At this point, one of his servants informed the prince that his wife and child had perished beneath the rubble of the destroyed temple. a certain while, one of the pagan priests, by the name of Barbates, reported that he heard the voice of the wife and son somewhere in the ruins and that they were praising the God of the Christians. The pagan priest asked that the imprisoned one be released, in gratitude for the miracle worked by Saint Cornelius, and the wife and son of the prince remained alive. joyful prince hastened to the prison in the company of those about him, declaring that he believed in Christ and asking him to bring his wife and son out of the ruins of the temple. Saint Cornelius went to the destroyed temple, and through prayer the suffering were freed. this the prince Demetrius, and all his relatives and comrades accepted holy Baptism. Saint Cornelius lived for a long time in this city, converted all the pagan inhabitants to Christ, and made Eunomios a presbyter in service to the Lord. Saint Cornelius died in old age and was buried not far from the pagan temple he destroyed.

Bulgaria, 30-60, 1st Century, Apostle Andrew and Saints Inna, Pinna and Rimma
Martyrs Inna, Pinna, and Rimma, disciples of the Apostle Andrew, in Scythia, Commemorated on January 20; Holy Martyrs Inna, Pinna and Rimma were Slavs from northern Scythia (modern Bulgaria), and they were disciples of the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. They preached the Gospel of Christ and they baptized many barbarians who converted to the true Faith. They were seized by the local chieftain, but they would not deny Christ, nor would they offer sacrifice to idols. was wintertime, and the rivers were so frozen that not only people, but also horses with carts could travel on the ice. The chieftain had the saints tied to logs on the ice, and gradually lowered them into the freezing water. When the ice reached their necks, they surrendered their blessed souls to the Lord. Martyr Inna the Disciple of Apostle Andrew in Scythia, Commemorated on June 20; transfer of the relics of Saints Inna, Pinna, and Rimma to Alushta took place during the first-second centuries. These holy martyrs are also commemorated on January 20.

Bulgaria, 30-70, Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Bishop of Philippopolis on the Roman Road Via Militarius
Bulgaria, 30-70, Apostle Hermes of the Seventy; Holy Apostle Hermas of the Seventy was bishop at Philippopolis, and died a martyr in the first century. In the Epistle to the Romans, the holy Apostle Paul commands the Romans to greet Hermas (Rom 16:14) (Rom 16:14). Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Commemorated November 5 ; Saints Patrobus, Hermes, Linus, Gaius, and Philologus, Apostles of the Seventy, preached the Gospel in various cities, each enduring various hardships in their service as bishops. Saint Patrobus (Rom 16:14) was Bishop of Neopolis (now Naples) and Puteoli in Italy. Saint Hermes was bishop in the city of Philippoplis where he died a martyr. Saint Linus (2 Tim 4:21) was a successor to the Apostle Peter at Rome. Saint Gaius (Rom 16:23), was Bishop of Ephesus after Saint Timothy. The Apostle Andrew consecrated Saint Philologus (Rom 16:15) as bishop of the city of Sinope (in the Black Sea region). Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; no longer there at OCA Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 8; Hermes is mentioned by the Holy Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans (16:14). According to Tradition, he was the Bishop of Dalmatia and reposed in peace. In the Synaxarion of Hippolyte Delehaye (1902) he is called Ermylos. In the Paris Codex 13 f. 296 he is listed on April 8 along with with Herodion, Asynkritos (Bishop of Hyrkania in Asia), Phlegon (Bishop of Marathon), Rufus and his mother (whom Saint Paul refers to as his mother, as well), Epaphras, and Agabos. Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 31 ; Holy Apostle Hermas was a bishop in Philippopolis, Thrace. He was a Greek, but he spent some time in Rome. The holy Apostle Paul greets him in the Epistle to the Romans (Rom 16:14). The Apostle Hermas endured much grief from the pagans for preaching the Gospel, but he died in peace. to Tradition, Saint Hermas is the author of The Shepherd, an instructive book based on revelations from angels.

Bulgaria, 100, 2nd Century Folder, Virginmartyr Glyceria at Heraclea

Bulgaria, 177, Virginmartyr Glyceria at Heraclea
Bulgaria, 177, Virginmartyr Glyceria at Heraclea, Commemorated on May 13; Heraclea Sintica; Hieromartyr Philip the Bishop of Heraclea, Commemorated on August 20; St Anastasius of the Strumitza Eparchy, Commemorated on August 29; 40 Women Martyrs at Heraclea, in Thrace, Commemorated September 1 ; St Sebastiana the Martyr and Disciple of St Paul the Apostle at Heraclea, Commemorated September 16 ; Venerable Philotheus the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on October 8 ; Martyr Pausilippus of Heraclea in Thrace, Commemorated on April 8 ; Virginmartyr Glyceria at Heraclea, Commemorated on May 13

Bulgaria, 200, 3rd Century Folder, Sophia the castle of Roman Emperor

Bulgaria, 250, 3rd Century, Dorostolum, chosen to imitate and die as Saturn, he rejected indulgence, and confessed Christ
Bulgaria, 250 or 3rd Century, Dorostolum, Bulgaria, chosen to imitate and die as Saturn, he rejected the indulgence, immoral pleasures, and confessed Christ, many saved, he tortured cruelly and beheaded; Dorostolum (Dorostorum); Martyr Dasius of Dorostorum, Commemorated November 20 ; Holy Martyr Dasius lived during the third century in the city of Dorostorum on the Danube River. inhabitants of the city were preparing for a festival in honor of the pagan god Saturn. custom, thirty days before the celebration they selected a handsome youth, dressed him in fine clothing, accorded him royal honors, and he would go forth in public made up like Saturn. thirty days, he would indulge in wicked deeds and immoral pleasures. On the day of the feast he was brought before the idols and put to the sword as a sacrifice to Saturn. choice of his compatriots fell upon Saint Dasius, since in the city there was not a more handsome youth. of this, the saint said, “If I am fated to die, then it’s better to die for Christ as a Christian.” He openly confessed his faith in Christ before his fellow citizens and refused to take part in the shameful ritual. He denounced the impiety and error of the idolaters and converted many of them to Christ. on the orders of the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (305-311), he was beheaded after cruel tortures.

Bulgaria, 284-305, Orentios, Thrace, Bulgaria, Orentios killed Hun leader, honors, refused w, brothers exiled Georgia, died on t
Bulgaria, 284-305, Thrace, Bulgaria (Via Militarius, Via Egnatia, Maritza River 8), Orentios killed Scythian (Hun) leader, honors but asked to sac to idols, refused, brothers detained, exiled to Caucasus, all died on trip ; Thrace; Seven Martyred Brothers: Orentius, Pharnacius, Eros, Firmus, Firminus, Cyriacus, and Longinus, in Georgia, Commemorated on June 24; Orentios, Pharnakios, Erotas, Phirmos, Phirminos, Kyriakos, and Longinus were brothers, who were known for their courage and served as soldiers in Thrace during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. a battle with the Scythians, Saint Orentios killed their fierce and intrepid leader, Mararon. He received many honors for this achievement, but then he was asked to participate in a sacrifice that was being offered to the idols in thanksgiving for his victory. The Christian hero absolutely refused to do this, declaring that he had defeated his foe by the power of Jesus Christ, whom he worshiped as the one true God. They did not punish him right away, because of his bravery, but he and his brothers were detained. some time, they were questioned. All seven declared, as with one mouth, that they would remain faithful to Christ until their last breath, and that the Savior would judge them on the Last Day. After saying this, they were sentenced to exile in the Caucasus. after another, the seven brothers died on the journey from their hardships and suffering. but they endured their afflictions without complaint. Erotas was the first to depart this life; he perished at Parembol on June 22. Next, Orentios was thrown into the sea with a stone tied around his neck. Pharnakios reposed on July 3 at Kordila. Phirmos and Phirminos received their heavenly crowns on July 7 at Aspara on the eastern shores of the Black Sea. Kyriakos went to the Lord on July 14 at Ziganeia, and Longinus gave his soul into God's hands on July 28 while on board a ship. The storm-tossed vessel went aground at Pitinda (Pitsnda), and so the last holy martyr was buried there. pray to these holy martyrs to protect us from our enemies. In Greek usage these saints are commemorated on June 25.

Bulgaria, 293-311, Sophia, Castle of Roman emperor Galerius 293-311, Dacian Empire, not Roman E
Galerius, Sophia, Castle of Roman emperor Galerius; accusations[edit] to Lactantius, Galerius affirmed his Dacian identity and avowed himself the enemy of the Roman name once made emperor, even proposing that the empire should be called, not the Roman, but the Dacian Empire, much to the horror of the patricians and senators. Lactantius further states that Galerius exhibited anti-Roman attitude as soon as he had attained the highest power, treating the Roman citizens with ruthless cruelty, like the conquerors treated the conquered, all in the name of the same treatment that the victorious Trajan had applied to the conquered Dacians, forefathers of Galerius, two centuries before.[41] Galerius Valerius Maximianus (c. 258 - May 311) was Roman emperor from 305 to 311. his reign he campaigned, aided by Diocletian, against the Sassanid Empire, sacking their capital Ctesiphon in 299. also campaigned across the Danube against the Carpi, defeating them in 297 and 300. he was a staunch opponent of Christianity, Galerius ended the Diocletianic Persecution when he issued an Edict of Toleration in Serdica in 311. life[edit] was born near Serdica,[14] in Dacia Ripensis, later named Dacia Mediterranea, though some modern scholars consider the strategic site where he later built his palace named after his mother – Felix Romuliana (Gamzigrad) – his birth and funeral place.[12] father was a Thracian and his mother Romula had left Roman Dacia because of the Carpians' attacks.[15][16]: 19  He originally followed his father's occupation, that of a herdsman, where he was nicknamed Armentarius, herdsman. Galerius' father-in-law and senior emperor served with distinction as a soldier under Emperors Aurelian and Probus, and in 293 at the establishment of the Tetrarchy, was designated Caesar along with Constantius Chlorus, receiving in marriage Diocletian's daughter Valeria (later known as Galeria Valeria), and at the same time being entrusted with the care of the Illyrian provinces. a few years campaigning against Sarmatians and Goths on the Danube, he received command of the legions on the eastern imperial limits. Soon after his appointment, Galerius was dispatched to Egypt to fight the rebellious cities Busiris and Coptos.[17] with Persia[edit] See also: Roman relations with the Parthians and Sassanids and Roman–Persian Wars counterinvasion[edit] 294, Narseh, a son of Shapur I, who had been passed over for the Sassanid succession, came into power in Persia. Narseh probably moved to eliminate Bahram III, a young man installed by a noble named Vahunam in the wake of Bahram II's death in 293.[18]: 292 [19]: 69  In early 294, Narseh sent Diocletian the customary package of gifts, but within Persia, he was destroying every trace of his immediate predecessors, erasing their names from public monuments. He sought to identify himself with the warlike reigns of Ardashir (r. 226–41) and Shapur (r. 241–72), who had sacked Roman Antioch and captured Emperor Valerian.[19]: 69–70  295 or 296, Narseh declared war on Rome. He appears to have first invaded western Armenia, retaking the lands delivered to Tiridates in the peace of 287. He occupied the lands there until the following year.[18][20]: 149 [21]: 292 [22] historian Ammianus Marcellinus, circa 320–395, is the only source detailing the initial invasion of Armenia.[23] Southern (1999, 149) dates the invasion to 295; Barnes (1982, 17, 293) mentions an earlier, unsuccessful invasion by Narseh based on the fact that the title Persici Maximi was given to all four emperors; Odahl (2004, 59) concurs with Barnes and suggests that Saracen princes in the Syrian desert collaborated with Narseh's invasion. then moved south into Roman Mesopotamia, where he inflicted a severe defeat on Galerius, then commander of the eastern forces, in the region between Carrhae (Harran, Turkey) and Callinicum (Raqqa, Syria).[21] may or may not have been present at the battle,[18]: 652  but presented himself soon afterwards at Antioch, where the official version of events was made clear: Galerius was to take all the blame for the affair. Antioch, Diocletian forced Galerius to walk a mile in advance of his imperial cart while still clad in the purple robes of an emperor.[18][21]: 292–3  The message conveyed was clear; the loss at Carrhae was not due to the failings of the empire's soldiers, but due to the failings of their commander, and Galerius' failures would not be accepted.[24] Galerius' position at the head of the caravan possibly was merely the conventional organization of an imperial progression, designed to show a Caesar's deference to his Augustus.[25] of Galerius attacking Narseh on the Arch of Galerius at Thessaloniki, Greece, the city where Galerius carried out most of his administrative actions.[20]: 151  army was reinforced probably in the spring of 298 by new contingents collected from the empire's Danubian holdings.[26] did not advance from Armenia and Mesopotamia leaving Galerius to lead the offensive in 298 with an attack on northern Mesopotamia via Armenia.[24] may or may not have been present to assist the campaign.[27] retreated to Armenia to fight Galerius' force, to Narseh's disadvantage; the rugged Armenian terrain was favorable to Roman infantry, but not to Sassanid cavalry. Local aid gave Galerius the advantage of surprise over the Persian forces, and, in two successive battles, Galerius secured victories over Narseh.[24][26] the second encounter, the Battle of Satala in 298, Roman forces seized Narseh's camp, his treasury, his harem, and his wife.[24][26] Narseh's wife would live out the remainder of the war in Daphne, a suburb of Antioch, serving as a constant reminder to the Persians of the Roman victory.[24] advanced into Media and Adiabene, winning continuous victories, most prominently near Theodosiopolis (Erzurum),[20]: 151  securing Nisibis (Nusaybin) before 1 October 298. He moved down the Tigris, taking Ctesiphon, and gazing onwards to the ruins of Babylon before returning to Roman territory via the Euphrates.[26] source ever specifically claims that Ctesiphon was sacked, but it is assumed to have been, primarily due to the seizure of Narseh's wife and harem.[20]: 150  negotiations[edit] had previously sent an ambassador to Galerius to plead for the return of his wife and children, but Galerius had dismissed this ambassador, reminding him of how Shapur had treated Valerian.[26] Romans, in any case, treated Narseh's captured family well perhaps seeking to evoke comparisons to Alexander and his beneficent conduct towards the family of Darius III.[24] negotiations began in the spring of 299, with both Diocletian and Galerius presiding. Their magister memoriae (secretary) Sicorius Probus was sent to Narseh to present terms.[26] conditions of the Peace of Nisibis were heavy:[24] Persia would give up territory to Rome, making the Tigris the boundary between the two empires. terms specified that Armenia was returned to Roman domination with the fort of Ziatha as its border; Caucasian Iberia would pay allegiance to Rome under a Roman appointee; now under Roman rule, would become the sole conduit for trade between Persia and Rome; and Rome would exercise control over the five satrapies between the Tigris and Armenia: Ingilene, Sophanene (Sophene), Arzanene (Aghdznik), Corduene, and Zabdicene (near modern Hakkâri, Turkey). regions included the passage of the Tigris through the Anti-Taurus range; the Bitlis pass, the quickest southerly route into Persian Armenia; and access to the Tur Abdin plateau. these territories, Rome would have an advance station north of Ctesiphon, and would be able to slow any future advance of Persian forces through the region.[28] the terms of the peace, Tiridates would regain both his throne and the entirety of his ancestral claim, and Rome would secure a wide zone of cultural influence in the region.[26] Because the empire was able to sustain such constant warfare on so many fronts, it has been taken as a sign of the essential efficacy of the Diocletianic system and the goodwill of the army towards the tetrarchic enterprise.[20]: 150  as Augustus[edit] of Galerius the elevation of Constantius I and Galerius to the rank of Augustus, two new Caesars were required to take their place. The two persons whom Galerius promoted to the rank of Caesar were very much his creatures, and he hoped to enhance his authority throughout the empire with their elevation.[29] was Maximinus Daza, whose mother was Galerius' sister. An inexperienced youth with little formal education, he was invested with the purple, exalted to the dignity of Caesar, and assigned the command of Egypt and Syria. Second was Severus, Galerius' comrade in arms; he was sent to Milan to receive the possession of Italy and Africa. According to the forms of the constitution, Severus acknowledged the supremacy of the western emperor, but he was absolutely devoted to the commands of his benefactor Galerius, who, reserving to himself the intermediate countries from the confines of Italy to those of Syria, firmly established his power over three-quarters of the empire.[29] hopes were dashed when his colleague Constantius died at York in 306 and the legions elevated his son Constantine to the position of Augustus. Galerius only discovered this when he received a letter from Constantine, who informed him of his father's death, modestly asserted his natural claim to the succession, and respectfully lamented that the enthusiastic violence of his troops had not allowed him to obtain the imperial purple in the regular and constitutional manner. The first emotions of Galerius were those of surprise, disappointment, and rage, and as he could seldom restrain his passions, he threatened to burn both the letter and the messenger.[30][31][32][33] however, when he had time to reconsider his position, he inevitably saw that his chances of winning a war against Constantine were doubtful at best. Galerius was well aware of Constantine's strengths – Constantine had been his guest for some time at Nicomedia – and knew that Constantius' legions were wildly devoted to his son.[29] Therefore, without either condemning or ratifying the choice of the Roman army, Galerius accepted the son of his deceased colleague as the ruler of the provinces beyond the Alps; but he gave him only the title of Caesar, and the fourth rank among the Roman princes, whilst he conferred the vacant place of Augustus on his favourite Severus. ambitious spirit of Galerius was only just over this disappointment when he beheld the unexpected loss of Italy to Maxentius, who was married to his daughter Valeria Maximilla.[34] Galerius’ need for additional revenue had persuaded him to make a very strict and rigorous examination of the property of his subjects for the purpose of a general taxation. A very minute survey was taken of their real estates and, wherever there was the slightest suspicion of concealment, torture was used to obtain a sincere declaration of their personal wealth. Italy had traditionally been exempt from any form of taxation, but Galerius ignored this precedent, and the officers of the revenue already began to number the Roman people, and to settle the proportion of the new taxes. Italy began to murmur against this indignity and Maxentius used this sentiment to declare himself emperor in Italy, to the fury of Galerius. Therefore, Galerius ordered his colleague Severus to immediately march to Rome, in the full confidence that, by his unexpected arrival, he would easily suppress the rebellion.[29] Severus was captured after his troops deserted to their old commander Maximian, who had once again been elevated to the rank of co-emperor, this time by his son Maxentius. Severus was later executed. Palace of Galerius in Zaječar, Serbia, today an UNESO World Heritage Site importance of the occasion needed the presence and abilities of Galerius. At the head of a powerful army collected from Illyricum and the East, he entered Italy, determined to avenge Severus and to punish the rebellious Romans.[citation needed] But due to the skill of Maximian, Galerius found every place hostile, fortified, and inaccessible; and though he forced his way as far as Narni, within sixty miles of Rome, his control in Italy was confined to the narrow limits of his camp. that he was facing ever-greater difficulties, Galerius made the first advances towards reconciliation, and dispatched two officers to tempt the Romans by the offer of a conference, and the declaration of his paternal regard for Maxentius, reminding them that they would obtain much more from his willing generosity than anything that might have been obtained through a military campaign. The offers of Galerius were rejected with firmness, his friendship refused, and it was not long before he discovered that, unless he retreated, he would share Severus' fate. It was not a moment too soon; large monetary gifts from Maxentius to his soldiers had corrupted the fidelity of the Illyrian legions. When Galerius finally began his withdrawal from Italy, it was only with great difficulty that he managed to stop his veterans deserting him.[29] frustration, Galerius allowed his legions to ravage the countryside as they passed northwards. Maxentius declined to make a general engagement. so many emperors now in existence, in 308 Galerius, together with the retired emperor Diocletian and the now active Maximian, called an imperial 'conference' at Carnuntum on the River Danube to rectify the situation and bring some order back into the imperial government.[citation needed] Here it was agreed that Galerius’ long-time friend and military companion Licinius, who had been entrusted by Galerius with the defense of the Danube while Galerius was in Italy, would become Augustus in the West, with Constantine as his Caesar. In the East, Galerius remained Augustus and Maximinus remained his Caesar. Maximian was to retire, and Maxentius was declared a usurper. ’ plan soon failed. The news of Licinius’ promotion was no sooner carried into the East, than Maximinus, who governed the provinces of Egypt and Syria, rejected his position as Caesar, and, notwithstanding the prayers as well as arguments of Galerius, exacted the equal title of Augustus.[29] For the first, and indeed for the last time, six emperors administered the Roman world. Though the opposition of interest, and the memory of a recent war, divided the empire into two great hostile powers, their mutual fears and the fading authority of Galerius produced an apparent tranquility in the imperial government. last years of Galerius saw him relinquishing his aspirations towards being the supreme ruler of the empire, though he managed to retain the position of first among equals. He spent the remainder of his years enjoying himself and ordering some important public works, such as discharging into the Danube the superfluous waters of Lake Pelso, and cutting down the immense forests that encompassed it.[29] of Christians[edit] Main article: Diocletian Persecution of the Arch of Galerius in Thessaloniki. had lived pleasantly during most of the rule of Diocletian. The persecutions that began with an edict of February 24, 303, were credited by Christians to Galerius' work, as he was a fierce advocate of the old ways and old gods. Christian houses of assembly were destroyed, for fear of sedition in secret gatherings.[citation needed] was not anti-Christian during the first part of his reign, and historians have claimed that Galerius decided to prod him into persecuting them by secretly burning the Imperial Palace and blaming it on Christian saboteurs. Regardless of who was at fault for the fire, Diocletian's rage was aroused and he began one of the last and greatest Christian persecutions in the history of the Roman Empire.[citation needed] was at the insistence of Galerius that the last edicts of persecution against the Christians were published, beginning on February 24, 303, and this policy of repression was maintained by him until the appearance of the general edict of toleration, issued from Nicomedia in April 311, apparently during his last bout of illness (see Edict of Toleration by Galerius). Galerius's last request was that Christians should pray for him as he suffered with a painful and fatal illness; he died six days later.[35] one of the leading figures in the persecutions, Galerius later admitted that the policy of trying to eradicate Christianity had failed, saying: "wherefore, for this our indulgence, they ought to pray to their God for our safety, for that of the republic, and for their own, that the republic may continue uninjured on every side, and that they may be able to live securely in their homes." Lactantius gives the text of the edict in his moralized chronicle of the bad ends to which all the persecutors came, De Mortibus Persecutorum.[36] This marked the end of official persecution of Christians. Christianity was officially legalized in the Roman Empire two years later in 313 by Constantine and Licinius in the Edict of Milan.[citation needed] died in late April or early May 311[37] from a horribly gruesome disease described by Eusebius[38] and Lactantius,[39] possibly some form of bowel cancer, gangrene or Fournier gangrene. was buried in his mausoleum at Gamzigrad-Romuliana, which was part of the palace he built at his birthplace, today's Zaječar in Serbia. Several lumps composed of corroded iron ring mail (lorica hamata) have been found at the site. This mail armour may have been worn by the wax ﬁgure of the emperor that was burned during the imperial funeral and apotheosis ceremony.[40] The entire site has been inscribed into the World Heritage List in June 2007. accusations[edit] to Lactantius, Galerius affirmed his Dacian identity and avowed himself the enemy of the Roman name once made emperor, even proposing that the empire should be called, not the Roman, but the Dacian Empire, much to the horror of the patricians and senators. Lactantius further states that Galerius exhibited anti-Roman attitude as soon as he had attained the highest power, treating the Roman citizens with ruthless cruelty, like the conquerors treated the conquered, all in the name of the same treatment that the victorious Trajan had applied to the conquered Dacians, forefathers of Galerius, two centuries before.[41] Greatmartyr Theodore the Tyro (œthe ), Commemorated on February 17;

Bulgaria, 293-311, Emperor, Maximian Galerius, Fanatic Pagan, horrible disease, ended D Persecution
Rome, 305-311, Emperor Maximian Galerius ; Galerius, Sophia, Castle of Roman emperor Galerius; accusations[edit] to Lactantius, Galerius affirmed his Dacian identity and avowed himself the enemy of the Roman name once made emperor, even proposing that the empire should be called, not the Roman, but the Dacian Empire, much to the horror of the patricians and senators. Lactantius further states that Galerius exhibited anti-Roman attitude as soon as he had attained the highest power, treating the Roman citizens with ruthless cruelty, like the conquerors treated the conquered, all in the name of the same treatment that the victorious Trajan had applied to the conquered Dacians, forefathers of Galerius, two centuries before.[41] Galerius Valerius Maximianus (c. 258 - May 311) was Roman emperor from 305 to 311. his reign he campaigned, aided by Diocletian, against the Sassanid Empire, sacking their capital Ctesiphon in 299. also campaigned across the Danube against the Carpi, defeating them in 297 and 300. he was a staunch opponent of Christianity, Galerius ended the Diocletianic Persecution when he issued an Edict of Toleration in Serdica in 311. life[edit] was born near Serdica,[14] in Dacia Ripensis, later named Dacia Mediterranea, though some modern scholars consider the strategic site where he later built his palace named after his mother – Felix Romuliana (Gamzigrad) – his birth and funeral place.[12] father was a Thracian and his mother Romula had left Roman Dacia because of the Carpians' attacks.[15][16]: 19  He originally followed his father's occupation, that of a herdsman, where he was nicknamed Armentarius, herdsman. Galerius' father-in-law and senior emperor served with distinction as a soldier under Emperors Aurelian and Probus, and in 293 at the establishment of the Tetrarchy, was designated Caesar along with Constantius Chlorus, receiving in marriage Diocletian's daughter Valeria (later known as Galeria Valeria), and at the same time being entrusted with the care of the Illyrian provinces. a few years campaigning against Sarmatians and Goths on the Danube, he received command of the legions on the eastern imperial limits. Soon after his appointment, Galerius was dispatched to Egypt to fight the rebellious cities Busiris and Coptos.[17] with Persia[edit] See also: Roman relations with the Parthians and Sassanids and Roman–Persian Wars counterinvasion[edit] 294, Narseh, a son of Shapur I, who had been passed over for the Sassanid succession, came into power in Persia. Narseh probably moved to eliminate Bahram III, a young man installed by a noble named Vahunam in the wake of Bahram II's death in 293.[18]: 292 [19]: 69  In early 294, Narseh sent Diocletian the customary package of gifts, but within Persia, he was destroying every trace of his immediate predecessors, erasing their names from public monuments. He sought to identify himself with the warlike reigns of Ardashir (r. 226–41) and Shapur (r. 241–72), who had sacked Roman Antioch and captured Emperor Valerian.[19]: 69–70  295 or 296, Narseh declared war on Rome. He appears to have first invaded western Armenia, retaking the lands delivered to Tiridates in the peace of 287. He occupied the lands there until the following year.[18][20]: 149 [21]: 292 [22] historian Ammianus Marcellinus, circa 320–395, is the only source detailing the initial invasion of Armenia.[23] Southern (1999, 149) dates the invasion to 295; Barnes (1982, 17, 293) mentions an earlier, unsuccessful invasion by Narseh based on the fact that the title Persici Maximi was given to all four emperors; Odahl (2004, 59) concurs with Barnes and suggests that Saracen princes in the Syrian desert collaborated with Narseh's invasion. then moved south into Roman Mesopotamia, where he inflicted a severe defeat on Galerius, then commander of the eastern forces, in the region between Carrhae (Harran, Turkey) and Callinicum (Raqqa, Syria).[21] may or may not have been present at the battle,[18]: 652  but presented himself soon afterwards at Antioch, where the official version of events was made clear: Galerius was to take all the blame for the affair. Antioch, Diocletian forced Galerius to walk a mile in advance of his imperial cart while still clad in the purple robes of an emperor.[18][21]: 292–3  The message conveyed was clear; the loss at Carrhae was not due to the failings of the empire's soldiers, but due to the failings of their commander, and Galerius' failures would not be accepted.[24] Galerius' position at the head of the caravan possibly was merely the conventional organization of an imperial progression, designed to show a Caesar's deference to his Augustus.[25] of Galerius attacking Narseh on the Arch of Galerius at Thessaloniki, Greece, the city where Galerius carried out most of his administrative actions.[20]: 151  army was reinforced probably in the spring of 298 by new contingents collected from the empire's Danubian holdings.[26] did not advance from Armenia and Mesopotamia leaving Galerius to lead the offensive in 298 with an attack on northern Mesopotamia via Armenia.[24] may or may not have been present to assist the campaign.[27] retreated to Armenia to fight Galerius' force, to Narseh's disadvantage; the rugged Armenian terrain was favorable to Roman infantry, but not to Sassanid cavalry. Local aid gave Galerius the advantage of surprise over the Persian forces, and, in two successive battles, Galerius secured victories over Narseh.[24][26] the second encounter, the Battle of Satala in 298, Roman forces seized Narseh's camp, his treasury, his harem, and his wife.[24][26] Narseh's wife would live out the remainder of the war in Daphne, a suburb of Antioch, serving as a constant reminder to the Persians of the Roman victory.[24] advanced into Media and Adiabene, winning continuous victories, most prominently near Theodosiopolis (Erzurum),[20]: 151  securing Nisibis (Nusaybin) before 1 October 298. He moved down the Tigris, taking Ctesiphon, and gazing onwards to the ruins of Babylon before returning to Roman territory via the Euphrates.[26] source ever specifically claims that Ctesiphon was sacked, but it is assumed to have been, primarily due to the seizure of Narseh's wife and harem.[20]: 150  negotiations[edit] had previously sent an ambassador to Galerius to plead for the return of his wife and children, but Galerius had dismissed this ambassador, reminding him of how Shapur had treated Valerian.[26] Romans, in any case, treated Narseh's captured family well perhaps seeking to evoke comparisons to Alexander and his beneficent conduct towards the family of Darius III.[24] negotiations began in the spring of 299, with both Diocletian and Galerius presiding. Their magister memoriae (secretary) Sicorius Probus was sent to Narseh to present terms.[26] conditions of the Peace of Nisibis were heavy:[24] Persia would give up territory to Rome, making the Tigris the boundary between the two empires. terms specified that Armenia was returned to Roman domination with the fort of Ziatha as its border; Caucasian Iberia would pay allegiance to Rome under a Roman appointee; now under Roman rule, would become the sole conduit for trade between Persia and Rome; and Rome would exercise control over the five satrapies between the Tigris and Armenia: Ingilene, Sophanene (Sophene), Arzanene (Aghdznik), Corduene, and Zabdicene (near modern Hakkâri, Turkey). regions included the passage of the Tigris through the Anti-Taurus range; the Bitlis pass, the quickest southerly route into Persian Armenia; and access to the Tur Abdin plateau. these territories, Rome would have an advance station north of Ctesiphon, and would be able to slow any future advance of Persian forces through the region.[28] the terms of the peace, Tiridates would regain both his throne and the entirety of his ancestral claim, and Rome would secure a wide zone of cultural influence in the region.[26] Because the empire was able to sustain such constant warfare on so many fronts, it has been taken as a sign of the essential efficacy of the Diocletianic system and the goodwill of the army towards the tetrarchic enterprise.[20]: 150  as Augustus[edit] of Galerius the elevation of Constantius I and Galerius to the rank of Augustus, two new Caesars were required to take their place. The two persons whom Galerius promoted to the rank of Caesar were very much his creatures, and he hoped to enhance his authority throughout the empire with their elevation.[29] was Maximinus Daza, whose mother was Galerius' sister. An inexperienced youth with little formal education, he was invested with the purple, exalted to the dignity of Caesar, and assigned the command of Egypt and Syria. Second was Severus, Galerius' comrade in arms; he was sent to Milan to receive the possession of Italy and Africa. According to the forms of the constitution, Severus acknowledged the supremacy of the western emperor, but he was absolutely devoted to the commands of his benefactor Galerius, who, reserving to himself the intermediate countries from the confines of Italy to those of Syria, firmly established his power over three-quarters of the empire.[29] hopes were dashed when his colleague Constantius died at York in 306 and the legions elevated his son Constantine to the position of Augustus. Galerius only discovered this when he received a letter from Constantine, who informed him of his father's death, modestly asserted his natural claim to the succession, and respectfully lamented that the enthusiastic violence of his troops had not allowed him to obtain the imperial purple in the regular and constitutional manner. The first emotions of Galerius were those of surprise, disappointment, and rage, and as he could seldom restrain his passions, he threatened to burn both the letter and the messenger.[30][31][32][33] however, when he had time to reconsider his position, he inevitably saw that his chances of winning a war against Constantine were doubtful at best. Galerius was well aware of Constantine's strengths – Constantine had been his guest for some time at Nicomedia – and knew that Constantius' legions were wildly devoted to his son.[29] Therefore, without either condemning or ratifying the choice of the Roman army, Galerius accepted the son of his deceased colleague as the ruler of the provinces beyond the Alps; but he gave him only the title of Caesar, and the fourth rank among the Roman princes, whilst he conferred the vacant place of Augustus on his favourite Severus. ambitious spirit of Galerius was only just over this disappointment when he beheld the unexpected loss of Italy to Maxentius, who was married to his daughter Valeria Maximilla.[34] Galerius’ need for additional revenue had persuaded him to make a very strict and rigorous examination of the property of his subjects for the purpose of a general taxation. A very minute survey was taken of their real estates and, wherever there was the slightest suspicion of concealment, torture was used to obtain a sincere declaration of their personal wealth. Italy had traditionally been exempt from any form of taxation, but Galerius ignored this precedent, and the officers of the revenue already began to number the Roman people, and to settle the proportion of the new taxes. Italy began to murmur against this indignity and Maxentius used this sentiment to declare himself emperor in Italy, to the fury of Galerius. Therefore, Galerius ordered his colleague Severus to immediately march to Rome, in the full confidence that, by his unexpected arrival, he would easily suppress the rebellion.[29] Severus was captured after his troops deserted to their old commander Maximian, who had once again been elevated to the rank of co-emperor, this time by his son Maxentius. Severus was later executed. Palace of Galerius in Zaječar, Serbia, today an UNESO World Heritage Site importance of the occasion needed the presence and abilities of Galerius. At the head of a powerful army collected from Illyricum and the East, he entered Italy, determined to avenge Severus and to punish the rebellious Romans.[citation needed] But due to the skill of Maximian, Galerius found every place hostile, fortified, and inaccessible; and though he forced his way as far as Narni, within sixty miles of Rome, his control in Italy was confined to the narrow limits of his camp. that he was facing ever-greater difficulties, Galerius made the first advances towards reconciliation, and dispatched two officers to tempt the Romans by the offer of a conference, and the declaration of his paternal regard for Maxentius, reminding them that they would obtain much more from his willing generosity than anything that might have been obtained through a military campaign. The offers of Galerius were rejected with firmness, his friendship refused, and it was not long before he discovered that, unless he retreated, he would share Severus' fate. It was not a moment too soon; large monetary gifts from Maxentius to his soldiers had corrupted the fidelity of the Illyrian legions. When Galerius finally began his withdrawal from Italy, it was only with great difficulty that he managed to stop his veterans deserting him.[29] frustration, Galerius allowed his legions to ravage the countryside as they passed northwards. Maxentius declined to make a general engagement. so many emperors now in existence, in 308 Galerius, together with the retired emperor Diocletian and the now active Maximian, called an imperial 'conference' at Carnuntum on the River Danube to rectify the situation and bring some order back into the imperial government.[citation needed] Here it was agreed that Galerius’ long-time friend and military companion Licinius, who had been entrusted by Galerius with the defense of the Danube while Galerius was in Italy, would become Augustus in the West, with Constantine as his Caesar. In the East, Galerius remained Augustus and Maximinus remained his Caesar. Maximian was to retire, and Maxentius was declared a usurper. ’ plan soon failed. The news of Licinius’ promotion was no sooner carried into the East, than Maximinus, who governed the provinces of Egypt and Syria, rejected his position as Caesar, and, notwithstanding the prayers as well as arguments of Galerius, exacted the equal title of Augustus.[29] For the first, and indeed for the last time, six emperors administered the Roman world. Though the opposition of interest, and the memory of a recent war, divided the empire into two great hostile powers, their mutual fears and the fading authority of Galerius produced an apparent tranquility in the imperial government. last years of Galerius saw him relinquishing his aspirations towards being the supreme ruler of the empire, though he managed to retain the position of first among equals. He spent the remainder of his years enjoying himself and ordering some important public works, such as discharging into the Danube the superfluous waters of Lake Pelso, and cutting down the immense forests that encompassed it.[29] of Christians[edit] Main article: Diocletian Persecution of the Arch of Galerius in Thessaloniki. had lived pleasantly during most of the rule of Diocletian. The persecutions that began with an edict of February 24, 303, were credited by Christians to Galerius' work, as he was a fierce advocate of the old ways and old gods. Christian houses of assembly were destroyed, for fear of sedition in secret gatherings.[citation needed] was not anti-Christian during the first part of his reign, and historians have claimed that Galerius decided to prod him into persecuting them by secretly burning the Imperial Palace and blaming it on Christian saboteurs. Regardless of who was at fault for the fire, Diocletian's rage was aroused and he began one of the last and greatest Christian persecutions in the history of the Roman Empire.[citation needed] was at the insistence of Galerius that the last edicts of persecution against the Christians were published, beginning on February 24, 303, and this policy of repression was maintained by him until the appearance of the general edict of toleration, issued from Nicomedia in April 311, apparently during his last bout of illness (see Edict of Toleration by Galerius). Galerius's last request was that Christians should pray for him as he suffered with a painful and fatal illness; he died six days later.[35] one of the leading figures in the persecutions, Galerius later admitted that the policy of trying to eradicate Christianity had failed, saying: "wherefore, for this our indulgence, they ought to pray to their God for our safety, for that of the republic, and for their own, that the republic may continue uninjured on every side, and that they may be able to live securely in their homes." Lactantius gives the text of the edict in his moralized chronicle of the bad ends to which all the persecutors came, De Mortibus Persecutorum.[36] This marked the end of official persecution of Christians. Christianity was officially legalized in the Roman Empire two years later in 313 by Constantine and Licinius in the Edict of Milan.[citation needed] died in late April or early May 311[37] from a horribly gruesome disease described by Eusebius[38] and Lactantius,[39] possibly some form of bowel cancer, gangrene or Fournier gangrene. was buried in his mausoleum at Gamzigrad-Romuliana, which was part of the palace he built at his birthplace, today's Zaječar in Serbia. Several lumps composed of corroded iron ring mail (lorica hamata) have been found at the site. This mail armour may have been worn by the wax ﬁgure of the emperor that was burned during the imperial funeral and apotheosis ceremony.[40] The entire site has been inscribed into the World Heritage List in June 2007. accusations[edit] to Lactantius, Galerius affirmed his Dacian identity and avowed himself the enemy of the Roman name once made emperor, even proposing that the empire should be called, not the Roman, but the Dacian Empire, much to the horror of the patricians and senators. Lactantius further states that Galerius exhibited anti-Roman attitude as soon as he had attained the highest power, treating the Roman citizens with ruthless cruelty, like the conquerors treated the conquered, all in the name of the same treatment that the victorious Trajan had applied to the conquered Dacians, forefathers of Galerius, two centuries before.[41] Greatmartyr Euphemia the All-praised, Commemorated on July 11 ; Martyr Paul at Caesarea, in Palestine, Commemorated July 16 ; Martyr and Archdeacon Euplus of Catania, Commemorated on August 11; Martyr Lucius, Commemorated August 20 ; Martyr Bassa of Edessa, and her sons, Commemorated on August 21; Martyr Agathonicus of Nicomedia, and others who suffered under Maximian, Commemorated on August 22; Martyr Lupus the Slave of St Demetrius of Thessalonica, Commemorated on August 23 ; Martyr Adrian of Nicomedia, Commemorated on August 26 ; 3,628 Martyrs who suffered at Nicomedia, Commemorated on September 2 ; Hieromartyr Anthimus the Bishop of Nicomedia, Commemorated on September 3; Martyr Eudoxius, Commemorated September 6 ; Martyr Menodora at Nicomedia, Commemorated on September 10 ; Martyr Theodotus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on September 15 ; 156 Martyrs in Palestine, Commemorated on September 17 ; Martyr Peleus the Bishop of Palestine, Commemorated on September 17 ; Hieromartyr Hierotheus the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated October 4 ; Martyr Callisthene and her father Audactus of Ephesus, Commemorated on October 4; Martyr Theotecnus of Antioch, Commemorated on October 10 ; Venerable Hilarion the Great, Commemorated on October 21; Martyr Cyrenia in Cilicia, Commemorated on November 1; Repose of St Alexander Nevsky, Commemorated November 23 ; NICHOLAS OF MYRA, FRIEND OF CHILDREN, GIVER OF GIFTS, CLIMBER OF CHIMNEYS, ETC. (6 DEC 326) ; Greatmartyr Catherine of Alexandria, Commemorated on November 24; Hieromartyr Peter the Archbishop of Alexandria, Commemorated on November 25; Greatmartyr Barbara at Heliopolis, in Syria, Commemorated on December 4; Martyr Juliana at Heliopolis, in Syria, Commemorated on December 4; St Nicholas the Wonderworker and Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, Commemorated on December 6; St Sophronius the Archbishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on December 9; Martyr Menas of Alexandria, Commemorated on December 10; Martyr Elias in Cilicia, Commemorated on December 19; Martyr Philetairus of Nicomedia, Commemorated on December 30; Venerable Syncletica of Alexandria, Commemorated on January 5; Martyr Peter of Anium, at Hieropolis, Commemorated on January 13; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15; Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great, Commemorated on January 17; Martyr Julian of Emesa, Commemorated on February 6; Virginmartyr Ennatha of Palestine, Commemorated on February 10; Hieromartyr Blaise the Bishop of Sebaste, Commemorated on February 11; Greatmartyr Theodore the Tyro ("œthe Recruit"Â), Commemorated on February 17; Uncovering of the relics of the Martyr Menas of Alexandria, Commemorated on February 17; Martyr Victor of Phrygia, Commemorated on February 18 ; Martyr Archippus of the Seventy Apostles, Commemorated on February 19; Martyr Maximus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated February 19; Martyr Maurice at Apamea in Syria, Commemorated on February 22; Martyr Eutropius of Amasea, Commemorated on March 3 ; Hieromartyr Basil of Cherson, Commemorated on March 7; Martyr Urpasianus of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 9; Martyr Urpasianus of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 9 ; Martyr Alexander of Macedonia, Commemorated on March 13 ; Martyr Julian of Anazarbus, Commemorated on March 16; Martyr Papas of Lyconia, Commemorated on March 16; Virginmartyr Alexandra of Amisus, Commemorated on March 20; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Hieromartyr Irenaeus the Bishop of Sirmium in Hungary, Commemorated on March 26; Martyr Matrona of Thessalonica, Commemorated on March 27; Martyr Amphianus (Apphianus) of Lycia, Commemorated on April 2 ; Martyr Polycarp of Alexandria, Commemorated on April 2 ; Virginmartyr Theodosia of Tyre, Commemorated on April 3 ; Martyr Rufinus the Deacon at Sinope, Commemorated on April 7; St Akaki Asistavi of Georgia, Commemorated on May 7; Martyr Hesychius of Antioch, Commemorated on May 10; Martyr Basiliscus the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on May 22; Virginmartyr Theodosia of Tyre, Commemorated on May 29; Martyr Marcian of Egypt, Commemorated on June 5; Hieromartyr Marcellinus the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on June 7; Hieromartyr Sisinius the Deacon of Rome, Commemorated on June 7; Martyr Priscilla of Rome, Commemorated on June 7; Martyr Doulas of Cilicia, Commemorated on June 15; Venerable Paisius the Great, Commemorated on June 19; Hieromartyr Methodius the Bishop of Patara, Commemorated on June 20; Martyr Aristocles the Presbyter of Cyprus, Commemorated on June 20; Translation of the relics of the Holy and Wonderworking Unmercenary John, Commemorated on June 28 ;

Bulgaria, 300, 4th Century Folder, Christianity dominant, Gothic Civil Wars

Bulgaria, 300, Christianity the dominant religion in Bulgaria
Bulgaria, 864-865, Bulgaria, 300, Christianity the dominant religion in Bulgaria; St. Photius the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on February 6

Bulgaria, 303, Martyrs Dada, Maximus, and Quinctilian, at Dorostolum, Bulgaria, devil, angel, Lord commanded us to endure
Bulgaria, , Martyrs Dada, Maximus, and Quinctilian, at Dorostolum, Bulgaria (Silistra, Danube River 14.5, Southeast of Bucharest), pagan feast, withdrew, caught at prayer, confessed, salvation of their souls, devil appeared, angel appeared, Lord commanded us to endure, tortured several days, beheaded; Dorostolum (Dorostorum); Martyr Dada at Dorostolum, Commemorated on April 28; Martyrs Dada, Maximus and Quinctilian suffered under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), who issued a decree requiring everyone to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods during the public festivals, and to put Christians to death. and Gabinius, the emperor’s representatives in Dorostolum, made a sumptuous feast, attended not only by the inhabitants of the city, but also people from the surrounding villages. the festivities, someone reported to the emperor that three brothers, Dada, Maximus and Quinctilian, did not obey the imperial decree and withdrew themselves into the Ozovia forest. Soldiers were sent after them, who caught the holy brothers at prayer and led them forth for trial. governors interrogated the brothers, who confessed themselves Christians. Tarquinius offered to make Saint Maximus a pagan priest of Zeus, but the saint called Zeus a foul adulterer and again confessed the True God. attempted to reason with Saints Dada and Quinctilian. They said that their brother was well versed in the Holy Scripture and they would follow him in everything. They threw the martyrs into prison, but they thought only of the salvation of their souls. At midnight when the saints were asleep, the devil appeared to them. When the martyrs woke, they beheld an angel who said, “Fear not, for God your hope brings you to Himself. He is not far from you and will sustain you.” the morning, Tarquinius told the brothers that the gods had revealed their will to him in a dream: they were to be put to death if they did not offer sacrifice. The martyrs answered that the Lord had commanded them to endure torments for His sake. tortures and interrogations continued for several days from morning to evening. Finally, they sentenced the martyrs to death, led them out under guard to their forest and beheaded them with a sword.

Bulgaria, 305 approx., Martyr Alexander of Rome at Drizipara
Drizipara, Bulgaria (on Via Egnatia, Martyr Alexander of Rome); Martyr Alexander of Rome, Commemorated on May 13;

Bulgaria, 305-311, M's Theodotus, Maximus& Asklepiodote, Gov Tiris , lightning bolt hit him on judgement seat
Marcianopolis (Lake Beloslav); Martyr Theodotus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on September 15 ; Holy Martyr Theodotus suffered with Saints Maximus and Asklepiodote, at the beginning of the fourth century under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311). Eminent citizens of the city of Marcianopolis, Maximus, and Asklepiodote led a devout Christian life. By their example they brought many to faith in Christ and to holy Baptism. the persecution Tiris, the governor of Thrace, went around the city subject to him and persecuted those believing in Christ. He summoned Maximus and Asklepiodote before him and demanded they abandon the Christian Faith. When the martyrs refused, he ordered that they be beaten. a certain pious man named Theodotus, began to reproach the governor for his inhumanity and cruelty. They seized him also, and hanging him on a tree, they tortured him with iron hooks. After this, they threw the three martyrs into prison. Tiris traveled for two weeks more and took the holy martyrs along with him. the city of Adrianopolis he put them to still greater tortures, commanding that their bodies be scorched with white-hot plates. In the midst of their suffering they heard a Voice from Heaven encouraging them to persevere. After several days of torture they threw the martyrs to be eaten by wild beasts in the circus, but instead the she-bear released upon Saints Maximus and Theodotus began to cuddle up to them. Asklepiodote was tied to a bull, but she seemed to be rooted to the spot, and did not budge. Tiris resumed the journey and stopped in the village of Saltis before reaching the city of Philippopolis. Again he urged the martyrs to renounce Christ. When they refused, he ordered them to be beheaded. God’s wrath overtook him when a bolt of lightning struck him as he sat upon the judgment seat. St Sebastiana the Martyr and Disciple of St Paul the Apostle at Heraclea, Commemorated on September 16 ; Martyr Melitina of Marcianopolis, Commemorated September 16 ;

Bulgaria, 305-311, Emperor, Maximian Galerius, Fanatic Pagan, horrible disease, ended D Persecution
Rome, 305-311, Emperor Maximian Galerius ; Galerius, Sophia, Castle of Roman emperor Galerius; accusations[edit] to Lactantius, Galerius affirmed his Dacian identity and avowed himself the enemy of the Roman name once made emperor, even proposing that the empire should be called, not the Roman, but the Dacian Empire, much to the horror of the patricians and senators. Lactantius further states that Galerius exhibited anti-Roman attitude as soon as he had attained the highest power, treating the Roman citizens with ruthless cruelty, like the conquerors treated the conquered, all in the name of the same treatment that the victorious Trajan had applied to the conquered Dacians, forefathers of Galerius, two centuries before.[41] Galerius Valerius Maximianus (c. 258 - May 311) was Roman emperor from 305 to 311. his reign he campaigned, aided by Diocletian, against the Sassanid Empire, sacking their capital Ctesiphon in 299. also campaigned across the Danube against the Carpi, defeating them in 297 and 300. he was a staunch opponent of Christianity, Galerius ended the Diocletianic Persecution when he issued an Edict of Toleration in Serdica in 311. life[edit] was born near Serdica,[14] in Dacia Ripensis, later named Dacia Mediterranea, though some modern scholars consider the strategic site where he later built his palace named after his mother – Felix Romuliana (Gamzigrad) – his birth and funeral place.[12] father was a Thracian and his mother Romula had left Roman Dacia because of the Carpians' attacks.[15][16]: 19  He originally followed his father's occupation, that of a herdsman, where he was nicknamed Armentarius, herdsman. Galerius' father-in-law and senior emperor served with distinction as a soldier under Emperors Aurelian and Probus, and in 293 at the establishment of the Tetrarchy, was designated Caesar along with Constantius Chlorus, receiving in marriage Diocletian's daughter Valeria (later known as Galeria Valeria), and at the same time being entrusted with the care of the Illyrian provinces. a few years campaigning against Sarmatians and Goths on the Danube, he received command of the legions on the eastern imperial limits. Soon after his appointment, Galerius was dispatched to Egypt to fight the rebellious cities Busiris and Coptos.[17] with Persia[edit] See also: Roman relations with the Parthians and Sassanids and Roman–Persian Wars counterinvasion[edit] 294, Narseh, a son of Shapur I, who had been passed over for the Sassanid succession, came into power in Persia. Narseh probably moved to eliminate Bahram III, a young man installed by a noble named Vahunam in the wake of Bahram II's death in 293.[18]: 292 [19]: 69  In early 294, Narseh sent Diocletian the customary package of gifts, but within Persia, he was destroying every trace of his immediate predecessors, erasing their names from public monuments. He sought to identify himself with the warlike reigns of Ardashir (r. 226–41) and Shapur (r. 241–72), who had sacked Roman Antioch and captured Emperor Valerian.[19]: 69–70  295 or 296, Narseh declared war on Rome. He appears to have first invaded western Armenia, retaking the lands delivered to Tiridates in the peace of 287. He occupied the lands there until the following year.[18][20]: 149 [21]: 292 [22] historian Ammianus Marcellinus, circa 320–395, is the only source detailing the initial invasion of Armenia.[23] Southern (1999, 149) dates the invasion to 295; Barnes (1982, 17, 293) mentions an earlier, unsuccessful invasion by Narseh based on the fact that the title Persici Maximi was given to all four emperors; Odahl (2004, 59) concurs with Barnes and suggests that Saracen princes in the Syrian desert collaborated with Narseh's invasion. then moved south into Roman Mesopotamia, where he inflicted a severe defeat on Galerius, then commander of the eastern forces, in the region between Carrhae (Harran, Turkey) and Callinicum (Raqqa, Syria).[21] may or may not have been present at the battle,[18]: 652  but presented himself soon afterwards at Antioch, where the official version of events was made clear: Galerius was to take all the blame for the affair. Antioch, Diocletian forced Galerius to walk a mile in advance of his imperial cart while still clad in the purple robes of an emperor.[18][21]: 292–3  The message conveyed was clear; the loss at Carrhae was not due to the failings of the empire's soldiers, but due to the failings of their commander, and Galerius' failures would not be accepted.[24] Galerius' position at the head of the caravan possibly was merely the conventional organization of an imperial progression, designed to show a Caesar's deference to his Augustus.[25] of Galerius attacking Narseh on the Arch of Galerius at Thessaloniki, Greece, the city where Galerius carried out most of his administrative actions.[20]: 151  army was reinforced probably in the spring of 298 by new contingents collected from the empire's Danubian holdings.[26] did not advance from Armenia and Mesopotamia leaving Galerius to lead the offensive in 298 with an attack on northern Mesopotamia via Armenia.[24] may or may not have been present to assist the campaign.[27] retreated to Armenia to fight Galerius' force, to Narseh's disadvantage; the rugged Armenian terrain was favorable to Roman infantry, but not to Sassanid cavalry. Local aid gave Galerius the advantage of surprise over the Persian forces, and, in two successive battles, Galerius secured victories over Narseh.[24][26] the second encounter, the Battle of Satala in 298, Roman forces seized Narseh's camp, his treasury, his harem, and his wife.[24][26] Narseh's wife would live out the remainder of the war in Daphne, a suburb of Antioch, serving as a constant reminder to the Persians of the Roman victory.[24] advanced into Media and Adiabene, winning continuous victories, most prominently near Theodosiopolis (Erzurum),[20]: 151  securing Nisibis (Nusaybin) before 1 October 298. He moved down the Tigris, taking Ctesiphon, and gazing onwards to the ruins of Babylon before returning to Roman territory via the Euphrates.[26] source ever specifically claims that Ctesiphon was sacked, but it is assumed to have been, primarily due to the seizure of Narseh's wife and harem.[20]: 150  negotiations[edit] had previously sent an ambassador to Galerius to plead for the return of his wife and children, but Galerius had dismissed this ambassador, reminding him of how Shapur had treated Valerian.[26] Romans, in any case, treated Narseh's captured family well perhaps seeking to evoke comparisons to Alexander and his beneficent conduct towards the family of Darius III.[24] negotiations began in the spring of 299, with both Diocletian and Galerius presiding. Their magister memoriae (secretary) Sicorius Probus was sent to Narseh to present terms.[26] conditions of the Peace of Nisibis were heavy:[24] Persia would give up territory to Rome, making the Tigris the boundary between the two empires. terms specified that Armenia was returned to Roman domination with the fort of Ziatha as its border; Caucasian Iberia would pay allegiance to Rome under a Roman appointee; now under Roman rule, would become the sole conduit for trade between Persia and Rome; and Rome would exercise control over the five satrapies between the Tigris and Armenia: Ingilene, Sophanene (Sophene), Arzanene (Aghdznik), Corduene, and Zabdicene (near modern Hakkâri, Turkey). regions included the passage of the Tigris through the Anti-Taurus range; the Bitlis pass, the quickest southerly route into Persian Armenia; and access to the Tur Abdin plateau. these territories, Rome would have an advance station north of Ctesiphon, and would be able to slow any future advance of Persian forces through the region.[28] the terms of the peace, Tiridates would regain both his throne and the entirety of his ancestral claim, and Rome would secure a wide zone of cultural influence in the region.[26] Because the empire was able to sustain such constant warfare on so many fronts, it has been taken as a sign of the essential efficacy of the Diocletianic system and the goodwill of the army towards the tetrarchic enterprise.[20]: 150  as Augustus[edit] of Galerius the elevation of Constantius I and Galerius to the rank of Augustus, two new Caesars were required to take their place. The two persons whom Galerius promoted to the rank of Caesar were very much his creatures, and he hoped to enhance his authority throughout the empire with their elevation.[29] was Maximinus Daza, whose mother was Galerius' sister. An inexperienced youth with little formal education, he was invested with the purple, exalted to the dignity of Caesar, and assigned the command of Egypt and Syria. Second was Severus, Galerius' comrade in arms; he was sent to Milan to receive the possession of Italy and Africa. According to the forms of the constitution, Severus acknowledged the supremacy of the western emperor, but he was absolutely devoted to the commands of his benefactor Galerius, who, reserving to himself the intermediate countries from the confines of Italy to those of Syria, firmly established his power over three-quarters of the empire.[29] hopes were dashed when his colleague Constantius died at York in 306 and the legions elevated his son Constantine to the position of Augustus. Galerius only discovered this when he received a letter from Constantine, who informed him of his father's death, modestly asserted his natural claim to the succession, and respectfully lamented that the enthusiastic violence of his troops had not allowed him to obtain the imperial purple in the regular and constitutional manner. The first emotions of Galerius were those of surprise, disappointment, and rage, and as he could seldom restrain his passions, he threatened to burn both the letter and the messenger.[30][31][32][33] however, when he had time to reconsider his position, he inevitably saw that his chances of winning a war against Constantine were doubtful at best. Galerius was well aware of Constantine's strengths – Constantine had been his guest for some time at Nicomedia – and knew that Constantius' legions were wildly devoted to his son.[29] Therefore, without either condemning or ratifying the choice of the Roman army, Galerius accepted the son of his deceased colleague as the ruler of the provinces beyond the Alps; but he gave him only the title of Caesar, and the fourth rank among the Roman princes, whilst he conferred the vacant place of Augustus on his favourite Severus. ambitious spirit of Galerius was only just over this disappointment when he beheld the unexpected loss of Italy to Maxentius, who was married to his daughter Valeria Maximilla.[34] Galerius’ need for additional revenue had persuaded him to make a very strict and rigorous examination of the property of his subjects for the purpose of a general taxation. A very minute survey was taken of their real estates and, wherever there was the slightest suspicion of concealment, torture was used to obtain a sincere declaration of their personal wealth. Italy had traditionally been exempt from any form of taxation, but Galerius ignored this precedent, and the officers of the revenue already began to number the Roman people, and to settle the proportion of the new taxes. Italy began to murmur against this indignity and Maxentius used this sentiment to declare himself emperor in Italy, to the fury of Galerius. Therefore, Galerius ordered his colleague Severus to immediately march to Rome, in the full confidence that, by his unexpected arrival, he would easily suppress the rebellion.[29] Severus was captured after his troops deserted to their old commander Maximian, who had once again been elevated to the rank of co-emperor, this time by his son Maxentius. Severus was later executed. Palace of Galerius in Zaječar, Serbia, today an UNESO World Heritage Site importance of the occasion needed the presence and abilities of Galerius. At the head of a powerful army collected from Illyricum and the East, he entered Italy, determined to avenge Severus and to punish the rebellious Romans.[citation needed] But due to the skill of Maximian, Galerius found every place hostile, fortified, and inaccessible; and though he forced his way as far as Narni, within sixty miles of Rome, his control in Italy was confined to the narrow limits of his camp. that he was facing ever-greater difficulties, Galerius made the first advances towards reconciliation, and dispatched two officers to tempt the Romans by the offer of a conference, and the declaration of his paternal regard for Maxentius, reminding them that they would obtain much more from his willing generosity than anything that might have been obtained through a military campaign. The offers of Galerius were rejected with firmness, his friendship refused, and it was not long before he discovered that, unless he retreated, he would share Severus' fate. It was not a moment too soon; large monetary gifts from Maxentius to his soldiers had corrupted the fidelity of the Illyrian legions. When Galerius finally began his withdrawal from Italy, it was only with great difficulty that he managed to stop his veterans deserting him.[29] frustration, Galerius allowed his legions to ravage the countryside as they passed northwards. Maxentius declined to make a general engagement. so many emperors now in existence, in 308 Galerius, together with the retired emperor Diocletian and the now active Maximian, called an imperial 'conference' at Carnuntum on the River Danube to rectify the situation and bring some order back into the imperial government.[citation needed] Here it was agreed that Galerius’ long-time friend and military companion Licinius, who had been entrusted by Galerius with the defense of the Danube while Galerius was in Italy, would become Augustus in the West, with Constantine as his Caesar. In the East, Galerius remained Augustus and Maximinus remained his Caesar. Maximian was to retire, and Maxentius was declared a usurper. ’ plan soon failed. The news of Licinius’ promotion was no sooner carried into the East, than Maximinus, who governed the provinces of Egypt and Syria, rejected his position as Caesar, and, notwithstanding the prayers as well as arguments of Galerius, exacted the equal title of Augustus.[29] For the first, and indeed for the last time, six emperors administered the Roman world. Though the opposition of interest, and the memory of a recent war, divided the empire into two great hostile powers, their mutual fears and the fading authority of Galerius produced an apparent tranquility in the imperial government. last years of Galerius saw him relinquishing his aspirations towards being the supreme ruler of the empire, though he managed to retain the position of first among equals. He spent the remainder of his years enjoying himself and ordering some important public works, such as discharging into the Danube the superfluous waters of Lake Pelso, and cutting down the immense forests that encompassed it.[29] of Christians[edit] Main article: Diocletian Persecution of the Arch of Galerius in Thessaloniki. had lived pleasantly during most of the rule of Diocletian. The persecutions that began with an edict of February 24, 303, were credited by Christians to Galerius' work, as he was a fierce advocate of the old ways and old gods. Christian houses of assembly were destroyed, for fear of sedition in secret gatherings.[citation needed] was not anti-Christian during the first part of his reign, and historians have claimed that Galerius decided to prod him into persecuting them by secretly burning the Imperial Palace and blaming it on Christian saboteurs. Regardless of who was at fault for the fire, Diocletian's rage was aroused and he began one of the last and greatest Christian persecutions in the history of the Roman Empire.[citation needed] was at the insistence of Galerius that the last edicts of persecution against the Christians were published, beginning on February 24, 303, and this policy of repression was maintained by him until the appearance of the general edict of toleration, issued from Nicomedia in April 311, apparently during his last bout of illness (see Edict of Toleration by Galerius). Galerius's last request was that Christians should pray for him as he suffered with a painful and fatal illness; he died six days later.[35] one of the leading figures in the persecutions, Galerius later admitted that the policy of trying to eradicate Christianity had failed, saying: "wherefore, for this our indulgence, they ought to pray to their God for our safety, for that of the republic, and for their own, that the republic may continue uninjured on every side, and that they may be able to live securely in their homes." Lactantius gives the text of the edict in his moralized chronicle of the bad ends to which all the persecutors came, De Mortibus Persecutorum.[36] This marked the end of official persecution of Christians. Christianity was officially legalized in the Roman Empire two years later in 313 by Constantine and Licinius in the Edict of Milan.[citation needed] died in late April or early May 311[37] from a horribly gruesome disease described by Eusebius[38] and Lactantius,[39] possibly some form of bowel cancer, gangrene or Fournier gangrene. was buried in his mausoleum at Gamzigrad-Romuliana, which was part of the palace he built at his birthplace, today's Zaječar in Serbia. Several lumps composed of corroded iron ring mail (lorica hamata) have been found at the site. This mail armour may have been worn by the wax ﬁgure of the emperor that was burned during the imperial funeral and apotheosis ceremony.[40] The entire site has been inscribed into the World Heritage List in June 2007. accusations[edit] to Lactantius, Galerius affirmed his Dacian identity and avowed himself the enemy of the Roman name once made emperor, even proposing that the empire should be called, not the Roman, but the Dacian Empire, much to the horror of the patricians and senators. Lactantius further states that Galerius exhibited anti-Roman attitude as soon as he had attained the highest power, treating the Roman citizens with ruthless cruelty, like the conquerors treated the conquered, all in the name of the same treatment that the victorious Trajan had applied to the conquered Dacians, forefathers of Galerius, two centuries before.[41] Greatmartyr Euphemia the All-praised, Commemorated on July 11 ; Martyr Paul at Caesarea, in Palestine, Commemorated July 16 ; Martyr and Archdeacon Euplus of Catania, Commemorated on August 11; Martyr Lucius, Commemorated August 20 ; Martyr Bassa of Edessa, and her sons, Commemorated on August 21; Martyr Agathonicus of Nicomedia, and others who suffered under Maximian, Commemorated on August 22; Martyr Lupus the Slave of St Demetrius of Thessalonica, Commemorated on August 23 ; Martyr Adrian of Nicomedia, Commemorated on August 26 ; 3,628 Martyrs who suffered at Nicomedia, Commemorated on September 2 ; Hieromartyr Anthimus the Bishop of Nicomedia, Commemorated on September 3; Martyr Eudoxius, Commemorated September 6 ; Martyr Menodora at Nicomedia, Commemorated on September 10 ; Martyr Theodotus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on September 15 ; 156 Martyrs in Palestine, Commemorated on September 17 ; Martyr Peleus the Bishop of Palestine, Commemorated on September 17 ; Hieromartyr Hierotheus the Bishop of Athens, Commemorated October 4 ; Martyr Callisthene and her father Audactus of Ephesus, Commemorated on October 4; Martyr Theotecnus of Antioch, Commemorated on October 10 ; Venerable Hilarion the Great, Commemorated on October 21; Martyr Cyrenia in Cilicia, Commemorated on November 1; Repose of St Alexander Nevsky, Commemorated November 23 ; NICHOLAS OF MYRA, FRIEND OF CHILDREN, GIVER OF GIFTS, CLIMBER OF CHIMNEYS, ETC. (6 DEC 326) ; Greatmartyr Catherine of Alexandria, Commemorated on November 24; Hieromartyr Peter the Archbishop of Alexandria, Commemorated on November 25; Greatmartyr Barbara at Heliopolis, in Syria, Commemorated on December 4; Martyr Juliana at Heliopolis, in Syria, Commemorated on December 4; St Nicholas the Wonderworker and Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, Commemorated on December 6; St Sophronius the Archbishop of Cyprus, Commemorated on December 9; Martyr Menas of Alexandria, Commemorated on December 10; Martyr Elias in Cilicia, Commemorated on December 19; Martyr Philetairus of Nicomedia, Commemorated on December 30; Venerable Syncletica of Alexandria, Commemorated on January 5; Martyr Peter of Anium, at Hieropolis, Commemorated on January 13; Venerable Paul of Thebes, Commemorated on January 15; Venerable and God-bearing Father Anthony the Great, Commemorated on January 17; Martyr Julian of Emesa, Commemorated on February 6; Virginmartyr Ennatha of Palestine, Commemorated on February 10; Hieromartyr Blaise the Bishop of Sebaste, Commemorated on February 11; Greatmartyr Theodore the Tyro ("œthe Recruit"Â), Commemorated on February 17; Uncovering of the relics of the Martyr Menas of Alexandria, Commemorated on February 17; Martyr Victor of Phrygia, Commemorated on February 18 ; Martyr Archippus of the Seventy Apostles, Commemorated on February 19; Martyr Maximus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated February 19; Martyr Maurice at Apamea in Syria, Commemorated on February 22; Martyr Eutropius of Amasea, Commemorated on March 3 ; Hieromartyr Basil of Cherson, Commemorated on March 7; Martyr Urpasianus of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 9; Martyr Urpasianus of Nicomedia, Commemorated on March 9 ; Martyr Alexander of Macedonia, Commemorated on March 13 ; Martyr Julian of Anazarbus, Commemorated on March 16; Martyr Papas of Lyconia, Commemorated on March 16; Virginmartyr Alexandra of Amisus, Commemorated on March 20; GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR, APOSTLE TO ARMENIA (23 March 332); Hieromartyr Irenaeus the Bishop of Sirmium in Hungary, Commemorated on March 26; Martyr Matrona of Thessalonica, Commemorated on March 27; Martyr Amphianus (Apphianus) of Lycia, Commemorated on April 2 ; Martyr Polycarp of Alexandria, Commemorated on April 2 ; Virginmartyr Theodosia of Tyre, Commemorated on April 3 ; Martyr Rufinus the Deacon at Sinope, Commemorated on April 7; St Akaki Asistavi of Georgia, Commemorated on May 7; Martyr Hesychius of Antioch, Commemorated on May 10; Martyr Basiliscus the Bishop of Comana, Commemorated on May 22; Virginmartyr Theodosia of Tyre, Commemorated on May 29; Martyr Marcian of Egypt, Commemorated on June 5; Hieromartyr Marcellinus the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on June 7; Hieromartyr Sisinius the Deacon of Rome, Commemorated on June 7; Martyr Priscilla of Rome, Commemorated on June 7; Martyr Doulas of Cilicia, Commemorated on June 15; Venerable Paisius the Great, Commemorated on June 19; Hieromartyr Methodius the Bishop of Patara, Commemorated on June 20; Martyr Aristocles the Presbyter of Cyprus, Commemorated on June 20; Translation of the relics of the Holy and Wonderworking Unmercenary John, Commemorated on June 28 ;

Bulgaria, 307, Demetrios of Thrace, Bulgaria, a slav, tortured, martyred
Thrace; Martyr Demetrios of Thrace, Commemorated on November 15 Demetrios was a Slav from the village of Davoudio (Dabuda) in Thrace, which was near the town of Amapasos. He was arrested in the time of Emperor Maximian and the Archon Publius, about the year 298 (some sources say 307). After suffering many tortures for Christ, he was finally beheaded.

Bulgaria, 308, Heraclea Sintica, Bulgaria, no idol sacrifice, tortured by Licinius, beheaded, burned, metal balls in mouth, stab
Bulgaria, 308, Heraclea Sintica, Thrace, Bulgaria (Strumitza Mouth, Strymon River 9), not sacrifice to idols, Tortured by Licinius, beheaded, burned, metal balls in mouth, stabbed; Heraclea Sintica; 40 Women Martyrs at Heraclea, in Thrace, Commemorated September 1 ; 40 Holy Virgins and Saint Ammoun the Deacon, were from Adrianopolis in Macedonia. Deacon Ammoun was their guide in Christian Faith. were captured by Baudos the governor, and were tortured because they would not offer sacrifice to idols. holy martyrs endured many cruel torments, which were intended to force them to renounce Christ and worship idols. they were sent to Heraclea in Thrace to appear before the tyrant Licinius. The valiant martyrs remained unshakeable, however. Ammoun and eight of the virgins were beheaded, ten virgins were burned, six of them died after heated metal balls were put into their mouths, six were stabbed with knives, and the rest were struck in the mouth and stabbed in the heart with swords.

Bulgaria, 343, Council of Sardica, in Lydia? Thrace, Bulgaria
Council of Sardica ; St Cyril the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated on March 18;

Bulgaria, 376-382, Fritigern, Gothic War of 376-382
Fritigern; Gothic War (376-“382) ; Greatmartyr Nicetas the Goth, Commemorated on September 15; Thervingi people;

Bulgaria, 372, Gothic Saint, Nicetas the Goth, danube region, ven by Rus, soldier, archangel Michael, Cilicia
Byzantine Period, Gothic Saint, 372, Nicetas the Goth; is a Christian martyr of the 4th century, venerated particularly in the Russian Orthodox Church. His feastday is 15 September.[1] a Gothic soldier, lived in the Danube region at the margins of the Byzantine Empire.[2] Presumably, he received his Greek name on the occasion of his baptism by the Gothic bishop Theophilus, a participant in the First Ecumenical Council. Pagan Goths began to oppose the spread of Christianity, which resulted in internecine strife. Nicetas fought in the Gothic civil war between the pagan Athanaric and the Christian Fritigern. the defeat of Athanaric and after the invention of Gothic alphabets by Ulfilas, Nicetas worked intensely among the Goths.[2 He was condemned to the stake in 372. According to his Passio, the devil, shaped as an angel, induced Nicetas to sacrifice to the pagan gods for saving his life; Nicetas, however, put him to flight by means of prayer and assisted by archangel Michael. His body was buried it in Cilicia, and later transferred to Constantinople. Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, and Cyprus there are several churches and monasteries named after St Nicetas. See Church of Saint Nicetas. Nicetas is prayed to for the preservation of children from birth defects.[2] Byzantine Period, Gothic Civil War, 376-382, Eastern Roman Empire; Greatmartyr Nicetas the Goth, Commemorated on September 15; Holy Great Martyr Nicetas was a Goth (a Germanic tribe). He was born and lived on the banks of the Danube River, suffering for Christ in the year 372. The Christian Faith was already spreading throughout the territory of the Goths at that time. Saint Nikḗtas believed in Christ and was baptized by the Gothic bishop Theophilos, who participated in the First Ecumenical Council. Pagan Goths started to oppose the spread of Christianity, which resulted in a civil war. Fritigern, at the head of a Christian army, defeated the pagan Athanaric, the Christian Faith continued to spread among the Goths. The Arian bishop Ulfilas, the successor to Bishop Theophilos, created a Gothic alphabet and translated many priestly books into the Gothic language. Saint Nicetas worked tirelessly among his fellow Goths to teach them about Christ. Through his personal example and inspired words, he brought many of them to the Christian Faith. his defeat, however, Athanaric managed to regroup his forces. He returned to his own country and regained his former power. Since he remained a pagan, he continued to hate the Christians and persecuted them, seeking revenge for the humiliation he had endured at their hands. Nikḗtas had to contend against both visible and invisible enemies. In opposing these invisible enemies, he converted many pagans to Christ, and strengthened the faithful for the contest of martyrdom. Filled with zeal for God, the Saint denounced the persecutor Athanaric for his cruelty and impiety, because he subjected the Christians to severe torments. Nicetas prevailed against both of these enemies. He trampled the devil underfoot, and defeated Athanaric in battle. The cruel tormentor was troubled because he was unable to convert Saint Nikḗtas to his own impiety, and so he resolved to capture the Saint and put him to death. Nicetas endured many tortures, and then he was thrown into a fire. Although his body was not burnt by the fire, he surrendered his soul to God, and his relics were illumined by a radiant light. By night, a Christian named Marianus, took the body of Saint Nicetas, and buried it in Cilicia. Afterward, it was transferred to Constantinople. Part of the relics of the Great Martyr Nicetas were later given to the monastery of Vysokie Dechani in Serbia. Thus Saint Nicetas received an unfading crown of glory from Christ on September 15, 372. pray to Saint Nicetas for the preservation of children from birth defects. AMBROSE OF MILAN, BISHOP AND DOCTOR (7 DEC 397);

Bulgaria, 372, Novoniketa Icon, Dacia, appeared on boy' chest in the night, Niketas baptised right away
Temple of St. Nicetas the Martyr on Shvivaya Hill beyond Yauza; Icon of the Mother of God of Novoniketa, Commemorated on September 15; is one of the most ancient icons of the Mother of God. It appeared to the holy martyr Nikḗtas (+ September 15, 372). Saint Nikḗtas, a former soldier, was a disciple of Bishop Theophilos of the Goths. Even before he was baptized, he saw a Child in a dream, holding a Cross in His hand. When he awakened, he thought about this for a long time, but was unable to understand what this vision signified. A Christian girl named Juliana, who had a special revelation from God, told him to look down at his chest. his unspeakable surprise, Nikḗtas found an Icon of the Mother of God on his chest. She held her divine Child on her lap, and He was holding a Cross in His hand. "This is the same Icon I saw in my dream," the startled Nikḗtas cried. The appearance of the Icon made such an impression on him that he was baptized right away. afterward, the persecution of Christians began, and Saint Nikḗtas received the crown of martyrdom along with many other confessors. When he was being led to the place of execution, he had on his chest, under his clothes, the Icon of the Mother of God which had appeared to him. was established that the Novonikḗta Icon of the Mother of God should be commemorated on the day of Saint Nikḗtas's martyrdom. list of miracles from this Icon is in Moscow, in the court cathedral, which is dedicated to the All-Merciful Savior, at the Gate of Saint Nikḗtas.

Bulgaria, 378, Battle of Adrianople, Thrace, Gothic Civil War of 376-382, Valens dies by fire
Bulgaria, Battle of Adrianople, 378, Gothic Civil War of 376-382 ; Venerable Isaac the Ascetic of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople, Commemorated on August 3; Greatmartyr Nicetas the Goth, Commemorated on September 15 ;

Bulgaria, 400, 5th Century Folder, Daniel the Stylite

Bulgaria, 420-480, Daniel t Stylite, Thracian Wilderness, after Stylite Simeon visited Samosata, prophecy his S
Syria, 420-480, Daniel the Stylite, Samosata, Armenia (Euphrates River 3), mother dedicated him, after 5 yrs received name, left for manastery at 12, angelic garb, Stylite Simeon visited, prophecy his S, ascetic life, S place vision, Thrace wilderness, on p 33 yrs, healing, prayers for B Emperors, great fire prophecy, gracious words, 80 yrs; Samosata; Venerable Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople, Commemorated on December 11 ; Daniel the Stylite was born in the village of Bethara, near the city of Samosata in Mesopotamia. mother Martha was childless for a long while and in her prayers she vowed that if she had a child, she would dedicate him to the Lord. Her prayers were heard, and Martha soon gave birth to a son, who was without a name until he was five years of age. boy’s parents desired that since he was born through the good-will of God, he should also receive his name from God. took their son to a monastery located nearby and approached the igumen. The igumen gave orders to take down one of the service books, and unrolled it at random. He found the Prophet Daniel (December 17) mentioned in it. Thus did the boy receive his name. parents asked that he might remain at the monastery, but the igumen would not accept him, since he was still only a small boy. At twelve years of age, saying nothing to anyone, the child left home for the monastery. parents were happy when they learned where their son was, and they went to the monastery. Seeing that he was still going about in his worldly clothes, they besought that the igumen should clothe him in the angelic garb. That Sunday the igumen fulfilled their request, but permitted them often to visit their son. The brethren of the monastery were astonished at the saint’s ascetical efforts. Saint Simeon the Stylite (September 1) visited the monastery. He foretold to the young monk that he too would undertake the feat of pillar-dwelling. Daniel continued with his ascetic life in seclusion. the place of a new exploit was revealed to him in a vision, he withdrew into the Thracian wilderness together with two disciples. They set up a pillar, upon which Saint Daniel dwelt for 33 years. thronged to the pillar, the unfortunate and those who were sick, and all received help and healing from Saint Daniel. emperors also sought the prayers of the holy ascetic. most notable of the saint’s predictions was about a great fire in Constantinople. Saint Daniel possessed also the gift of gracious words. He guided many onto the path of correcting their lives. The monk reposed in his eightieth year.

Bulgaria, 600, 7th Century Folder, Bulgars 632-668, Old Great Bularia

Bulgars, 7th Century, Old Great Bulgaria, 632-668
Bulghars, 7th Century, Old Great Bulgaria, 632-668; Bulgars, 7th Century; Martyr Manuel the Bishop in Bulgaria, Commemorated on January 22;

Bulgaria, 681-1018, Folder, First Bulgarian Empire Folder

Bulgaria, 681-699, 7th Century Folder, Pagan

Bulgaria, 700, 8th Century Folder, Pagan

Bulgaria, 768-777, Telerig of Bulgaria, Tsar, Byzantine war, treaty, breaks t by failing to grab people, fled tB, bChristian
Bulgaria, 768-777, Telerig of Bulgaria, Tsar, 1774 Constantine V against B, disembarked, Byzantine &B Treaty, however 1774 T raided Berzitia, macedonia tTransfer population tBulgaria, but C V resounding victory, contrary black sea winds failed subsequent attack oBulgarai, Teleg emissary to C V for refuge with assurances, T suceeded, agents betrayed by CV, B retaliation didn't happen, 1777 Telerig fled to Leo IV, in C Teleg became Christian, married Eirene's cousin; Bulgarian Tsar, 768-777, Telerig of Bulgaria; (Bulgarian: Телериг) was the ruler of Bulgaria from 768 to 777. Telerig is first mentioned by Byzantine sources in 774, he is considered as he immediate successor of Pagan, who was murdered in 768. May 774, Byzantine Emperor Constantine V embarked on a major expedition against Bulgaria, his field army on land and dispatched a fleet of 2000 ships carrying horsemen towards the Danube Delta. The fleet disembarked in the vicinity of Varna, but Constantine did not press his potential advantage and inexplicably retreated. afterwards, both sides signed a truce promising the cessation of hostilities. in October 774, Telerig sent an army of 12,000 men to raid Berzitia, Macedonia, and transfer its population to Bulgaria. a large army of 80,00 troops, Constantine surprised the Bulgarians and won a resounding victory. subsequent attack on Bulgaria failed since the imperial fleet had encountered contrary winds in the Black Sea. then sent a secret emissary to Constantine that indicated his intention to flee Bulgaria and to seek refuge with the emperor and sought assurances of hospitality and a list of Byzantines who might help him. succeeded in having Constantine betray his own agents in Bulgaria, who were duly rounded up and executed. expected Byzantine retaliation failed to materialise, as Constantine died in 775. spite of his apparent success, Telerig found it necessary to flee to the new Byzantine emperor, Leo IV the Khazar, in 777. The Byzantine government gave Telerig asylum and the title of patrikios. converted to Christianity under the name of Theophylaktos and married a cousin of Empress Eirene. Venerable Peter of Constantinople, Commemorated on July 1 ;

Bulgaria, 777-803, Kardam of Bulgaria, Tsar, order restored by standing ground against Byzantium i791, 792, 796, so C dethroned
Bulgaria, 777-803, Kardam of Bulgaria, Bulgarian Tsar, restoration of order in Bulgaria by standing ground against Constine VI i791, 792, 796, so C dethroned by mother Irene in 797 ; Bulgarian Tsar, 777-803, Kardam of Bulgaria ; was the ruler of the First Bulgarian Empire (777 – after 796/before 803). name of Kardam is first encountered in the Byzantine sources in 791, when Emperor Constantine VI embarked on an expedition against Bulgaria, in retaliation for Bulgarian incursions in the Struma valley since 789. Kardam pre-empted the Byzantine invasion and met the enemy near Adrianople in Thrace. The Byzantine army was defeated and turned to flight. Bulgarian Empire (680- 803). Shown are battles of Kardam 792 Constantine VI led another army against the Bulgarians and encamped at Marcellae (near Karnobat), which he proceeded to fortify. arrived with his army on July 20 and occupied the neighboring heights. After some time passed with the two forces sizing up, VI gave in to the reassuring advice of a "false prophet" and ordered the attack. But the Byzantine forces lost formation and once again were defeated and turned to flight, while Kardam captured the imperial tent and the emperor's servants. his return to Constantinople, Constantine VI signed a peace treaty and undertook to pay an annual tribute to Bulgaria. 796 the imperial government was recalcitrant and Kardam found it necessary to demand the tribute while threatening to devastate Thrace if it were not paid. to the chronicler Theophanes the Confessor, VI mocked the demand by having dung sent instead of gold as "fitting tribute" and promising to lead a new army against the elderly Kardam at Marcellae. again the emperor headed north, and once again he encountered Kardam in the vicinity of Adrianople. armies faced each other for 17 days without entering into battle, while the two monarchs probably engaged in negotiations. In the end conflict was averted and the peace resumed on the same terms as in 792. reign of Kardam represents the restoration of order in Bulgaria, which had suffered from a rapid turnover of rulers and had been repeatedly defeated by the Byzantines in the third quarter of the 8th century. not only stood his ground against Constantine VI (who was trying to emulate his much more successful grandfather and namesake Constantine V), he may have succeeded in precipitating a crisis at the Byzantine court, where Constantine VI's repeated failures undermined the emperor's position and he was dethroned by his mother Irene in 797. probably did not long survive his opponent, as he is not heard of after 796 and was already dead in 803. Venerable Peter of Constantinople, Commemorated on July 1 ;

Bulgaria, 800-864, 9th Century Folder, Pagan

Bulgaria, 801-833, Boyan or Enravota, Bulgarian Saint, converted by Byzantine captive (Kinamon) first Bulgarian Saint
Bulgaria, 800-833, Bulgarian Saint, Boyan or Enravota; Enravota or Boyan was the eldest son of Omurtag of Bulgaria and the first Bulgarian Christian martyr, as well as the earliest Bulgarian saint to be canonized. in the early 9th century, Enravota was the elder brother of Malamir of Bulgaria, who succeeded their father Omurtag to the Bulgarian throne in 831. was possibly deprived of the throne because he favoured Christianity, which the boyars feared might endanger the court. long after the death of Omurtag, Enravota asked his brother to release a pious Byzantine captive who had been imprisoned by Omurtag. The captive's sermons persuaded Enravota to convert to Christianity and be baptized. informed of his brother's deeds, Malamir attempted to make him renounce Christianity, but did not succeed. Enravota was killed on the order of Malamir, around 833. 11th-century chronicler Theophylact of Bulgaria claimed he delivered the following prophetic speech before his death: faith, which I now die for, will spread and increase across the whole Bulgarian land, although you may wish to oppress it with my death. In any case, the Sign of Christ will establish itself and churches of God will be built everywhere and pure priests will serve the pure God and will deliver "sacrifice of praise and confession" to the invigorating Trinity. Idols, and priests as well, and their ungodly temples, will crumble and will turn into nothing, as if they had not existed. Besides, you alone (to Malamir), after many years, will cast away your ungodly soul without receiving anything in reward for your cruelty. In the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Enravota's feast day is 28 March. Bulgarian Tsar, 852-889, Boris I ; St Clement the Bishop of Ochrid and Enlightener of the Bulgarians, Commemorated on November 25; Martyr Enravota - Boyan, the Prince of Bulgaria, Commemorated on March 28; St. Boris (in Holy Baptism Michael), Equal of the Apostles, Prince and Baptizer of Bulgaria, Commemorated on May 2; St Boris (in Holy Baptism Michael), Equal of the Apostles, Prince and Baptizer of Bulgaria, Commemorated on May 2 ;

Bulgaria, 801-833, Boyan or Enravota, death sentence fBro Malomir (Vladimir), Fulfilled prophecy Christian Bulgarian Land
Bulgaria, 801-833, Boyan, Prince of Bulgaria, bro Malomir (Vladimir) ascended Tzar, free Kinamon, K converts B, ascetic, M demands renounce, B despises idols, death sentence, prophecy Christian Bulgarian Land & death overtake you, so prophecy fulfilled when Presian son Boris christianized Bulgaria; Plisk; Martyr Boyan, Prince of Bulgaria, Commemorated on March 28; Holy Martyr Boyan, Prince of Bulgaria, suffered for Christ around the year 830. his pagan brother Malomir [Vladimir] ascended the Bulgarian throne, Prince Boyan asked him to free the learned Christian Kinamon, who had been in prison for a long time for refusing to participate in pagan sacrifices under Prince Obrit (Krutogon), Prince Malomir’s predecessor. consented and gave Kinamon to Prince Boyan as a slave. spoke to Boyan about Christianity, telling him of the errors of paganism and that belief in Christ is necessary for salvation. At the end of their conversation he told the prince, “Without Jesus Christ there is no light for the mind, no life for the soul. He alone is the Teacher of mankind and our Savior. By His death, He has reconciled fallen mankind with God. If you do not wish to perish, believe in the Lord Jesus.” Boyan recognized the truth of his words, and was inspired to ask for Baptism. newly-converted prince was filled with a love of prayer, fasting and contemplation of God. learning about the conversion of his brother to Christianity, demanded that he renounce the Christian Faith and return to paganism. Instead, the holy Prince Boyan answered, “I despise the pagan idols and I revere Christ, the true God. No one shall separate me from the love of Christ.” Malomir, hearing his brother’s reply, sentenced him to death. his martyric death, the holy martyr-prince declared: “The faith for which I now die will spread throughout the Bulgarian land. You vainly imagine that you will stop it by killing me. Temples to the true God will be built, and priests will offer Him true worship. The idols and their foul sacrifices, however, will vanish.” Then he said to his brother Malomir, “You will gain nothing from your cruelty, and death will soon overtake you.” holy martyr was killed by the sword, and his predictions to his brother were the first to be fulfilled. Malomir soon died, and since he had no heir, his elder brother Presian (836-852) succeeded to the throne. Prince Presian’s son, the holy Prince Boris, in holy Baptism Michael (May 2) later Christianized the Bulgarian nation. Thus the prophecy of the holy Martyr Prince Boyan was fulfilled.

Bulgaria, 802-811, Nicholas, resisted inkeeper's daughter, fought Bulgars, only survivor, spared, left world, clairvoyance
Mongols, Khzaria, 802-811, Nicholas, monk of Bulgaria, resisted inkeeper's daughter, fought Bulgars, only survivor, vison, spared because overcame temptation, left world, settled in cave, schemamonk, unceasing prayer for fallen soldiers, granted clairvoyance; Bulgars; Venerable Nicholas the Monk of Bulgaria, Commemorated on December 24; Nicholas the Former General was a military commander under the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros I (802-811). He was ordered to lead his troops against the Bulgars. On the eve of battle he was approached by the innkeeper’s daughter, but he resisted her shameless attempts to seduce him. his comrades perished in the battle, but Nicholas remained alive. It was revealed to him in a vision that his life was spared because he had overcome temptation. After this Saint Nicholas left the world and settled into a cave. He became a schemamonk, and prayed unceasingly for his fallen soldiers. By his great ascetic efforts he so pleased the Lord, that he was granted the gift of clairvoyance.

Bulgaria, 803-814, Krum, Bulgarian Tsar, doubled Bulgaria in size, wars with Byzantium
Bulgarian Tsar, 803-814, Krum ; [A], often referred to as Krum the Fearsome was the Khan of Bulgaria from sometime between 796 and 803 until his death in 814. During his reign the Bulgarian territory doubled in size, spreading from the middle Danube to the Dnieper and from Odrin to the Tatra Mountains. His able and energetic rule brought law and order to Bulgaria and developed the rudiments of state organization.[1][2] Venerable Peter of Constantinople, Commemorated on July 1 ; Peter was born into a patrician family at Constantinople at the end of the eighth century. During the reign of the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros (802-811) Peter was commissioned as an officer and participated in the campaigns of the Greek army against Bulgaria. one particular battle the emperor was mortally wounded, and Peter was one of many soldiers taken captive. night, while he was praying, the holy Evangelist John the Theologian appeared to him in a vision and released him from captivity. Having returned to Constantinople, Saint Peter left the world and withdrew into a monastery on Mount Olympus (in Asia Minor) and became a monk. There he passed his time in constant ascetic efforts for 34 years under the guidance of Saint Joannicius the Great (November 4). Saint Peter lived all his monastic life in strict fasting and constant vigil, wearing a prickly hair-shirt and going barefoot. He lived the final eight years of his life at Constantinople, where he founded a church and a monastery named for Saint Euandrus. Peter died in 854 in the seventieth year of his life, and was buried in his monastery.

Bulgaria, 811, Martyr Manuel, Bishop of Thrace, Bulgaria (Via Egnatia, Maritza River 8) and 377 Companions slain by Bulgars
Bulgaria, 811, Martyr Manuel, Bishop of Thrace, Bulgaria (Via Egnatia, Maritza River 8) and 377 Companions slain by Bulgars; Thrace; 377 Martyred Companions in Bulgaria, Commemorated on January 22; 377 Christians were captured in Thrace by the Bulgars, and were slain in various ways. the martyrs where the bishops Manuel, George, Peter, and Leontius; and the presbyters Sionius, Gabriel, John, Leontius and Parodus.

Bulgaria, 814-831, Omurtag, Tsar, 30 year peace w Byzantines, coped w Franks, Builder
Bulgarian Tsar, 814-831, Omurtag of Bulgaria; (or Omortag) was a Great Khan (Kanasubigi)[3] of Bulgaria from 814 to 831. He is known as "the Builder". the very beginning of his reign he signed a 30-year peace treaty with the neighboring Byzantine Empire which remained in force to the end of his life. Omurtag successfully coped with the aggressive policy of the Frankish Empire to take Bulgaria's north-western lands and suppressed the unrest among several Slavic tribes. He made administrative reforms which increased the power and the authority of the central government. His reign was marked with a strong development of Bulgarian architecture with a number of significant construction projects Venerable Peter of Constantinople, Commemorated on July 1 ;

Bulgaria, 831-836, Malamir, Tsar, executed bro christian Enravota (Boyan), 20yr? peace ended by Theophilos
Bulgarian Tsar, 831-836, Malamir ; was the ruler of Bulgaria 831–836. was a son of Omurtag and a grandson of Krum. His name may be of Slavic origin, which would make him the first Bulgar khan to possess a Slavic name; this has led to the speculation that his mother was a Slav, although that cannot be proven. Another theory is that it was an Iranian name, as there is an Iranian city named Malamir. became ruler of Bulgaria in 831 on the death of his father Omurtag, because his older brother Enravota (Voin) had forfeited his right to the succession by becoming a Christian. It is possible that Malamir was young and inexperienced at the time of his accession, and that affairs of state were managed by his kavhan (kaukhanos) Isbul. 833, Malamir executed his brother Enravota for refusing to renounce Christianity. After the expiration of the original 20-year peace treaty(?) with the Byzantine Empire in 836, emperor Theophilos ravaged the regions inside the Bulgarian frontier. The Bulgarians retaliated, and under the leadership of Isbul they reached Adrianople. At this time, if not earlier, the Bulgarians annexed Philippopolis (Plovdiv) and its environs. Several surviving monumental inscriptions from this reign make reference to the Bulgarian victories and others to the continuation of construction activities in and near Pliska. Malamir died in 836, allegedly as retribution for his execution of his older brother. several older studies, Malamir is identified with his successor Presian I, and it is assumed that he survived until the 850s as the direct predecessor of Boris I. This is very unlikely, as Malamir is attested as having been succeeded by his nephew (the son of his brother Zvinitsa), while Boris I was preceded by his father Presian I. Zlatarski resolved the problems in the fragmentary sources by determining that Malamir's unnamed nephew and successor was in fact Presian I, and Boris I was the latter's son. 17th century Volga Bulgar compilation Cagfar TarÃxÄ± (a work of disputed authenticity) represents Balamir (i.e., Malamir) as the son of YomyrÄak (i.e., Omurtag), and as the brother of SabanÅ¡a (i.e., Zvinica), who was the father of BirdÅ¾ihan (i.e., Presian I). Knoll on Greenwich Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, is named for Khan Malamir of Bulgaria. Martyr Enravota - Boyan, the Prince of Bulgaria, Commemorated on March 28;

Bulgaria, 831-836, Malamir of Bulgaria, Tzar, Vladimir, Pagan
Bulgaria, 831-836, Malamir of Bulgaria, Vladimir, Pagan; Martyr Enravota - Boyan, the Prince of Bulgaria, Commemorated on March 28;

Bulgaria, 836-852, Presian I of Bulgaria, Tzar, Pagan, Bulgarian expansion in Macedonia, war w Serbia
Bulgaria, 836-852, Tzar, Presian I of Bulgaria; was the Khan of Bulgaria from 836–852. He ruled during an extensive expansion in Macedonia. composite picture of the Byzantine sources indicates that Presian I was the son of Zvinitsa, who was a son of Omurtag. In several older studies Presian is identified with his short-lived predecessor Malamir and it is assumed that this single character survived until the 850s as the direct predecessor of Boris I. This is very unlikely, as Malamir is attested as having been succeeded by his nephew (the son of his brother Zvinitsa), while Boris I was preceded by his father Presian. Zlatarski resolved the problems in the fragmentary sources by determining that Malamir’s unnamed nephew and successor was in fact Presian, and Boris I was the latter’s son. 17th century Volga Bulgar compilation Cagfar Tarixi, a work of disputed authenticity, represents Birdzhan (i.e., Presian) as the son of Sabansa (i.e., Zvinitsa), which may lend support to the interpretation of his origins now dominant in Bulgarian historiography.[clarification needed] with Serbia and Byzantium[edit] Inscription, sixth plate, Museum, Philippi, Greece. may have been young and inexperienced at the time of his accession, and state affairs may have been dominated by the minister Isbul, as under Presian's uncle Malamir. In 837, soon after Presian's accession, the Slavs in the vicinity of Thessalonica rebelled against the Byzantine Empire. Theophilos sought Bulgarian support in putting down the rebellion, but simultaneously arranged for his fleet to sail through the Danube delta and undertake a clandestine evacuation of some of the Byzantine captives settled in trans-Danubian Bulgaria by Krum and Omurtag. under Presian retaliation Isbul campaigned along the Aegean coasts of Thrace and Macedonia and captured the city of Philippi, where he set up a surviving memorial inscription set up in a local church. Isbul's campaign may have resulted in the establishment of Bulgarian suzerainty over the Slavic tribe of the Smolyani. reign coincides with the extension of Bulgarian control over the Slavic tribes in and around Macedonia. It is known that the Serbs and Bulgars lived in peace until Presian invaded Serbian territory in 839, during the last years of Theophilos.[1] Vlastimir, the Knez of Serbia, united several Serbian tribes,[2] and Emperor Theophilos (r. 829–842) granted the Serbs independence;[3] thus, the Serbs acknowledged the nominal overlordship of the Emperor.[1] The annexation of western Macedonia by the Bulgars changed the political situation. Malamir or Presian may have seen a threat in the Serb consolidation, and opted to subjugate them in the midst of the conquest of Slav lands.[1] Another reason might have been that the Byzantines wanted to divert attention in order to cope with the Slav Uprising in the Peloponnese, and so sent the Serbs to instigate the war.[4] Presian[5] invaded Serbian territory in 839. The invasion led to a 3-year war, in which Vlastimir was victorious;[6] Presian was driven out of Serbian territory by Vlastimir's army.[4] In addition to making no territorial gains, Presian suffered heavy losses due to the Serbian tactical advantage in the hills.[7] The war ended with the death of Theophilos in 842, which released Vlastimir from his obligations to the Byzantine Empire.[8] died in 852, and was succeeded by his son Boris I. Bulgaria, 831-836, Malamir of Bulgaria, Vladimir, Pagan; Martyr Enravota - Boyan, the Prince of Bulgaria, Commemorated on March 28;

Bulgaria, 852-889, Boris I, Tsar, Christian, autocephalous Bulgarian Church
Bulgarian Tsar, 852-889, Boris I ; St Clement the Bishop of Ochrid and Enlightener of the Bulgarians, Commemorated on November 25; Martyr Enravota - Boyan, the Prince of Bulgaria, Commemorated on March 28; St Boris (in Holy Baptism Michael), Equal of the Apostles, Prince and Baptizer of Bulgaria, Commemorated on May 2 ;

Bulgaria, 855-867, Michael t soldier of Potouka, saintly child, commander, allies fled, rushed center, killed beast on way home
Bulgaria, 855-867, Michael t soldier of Potouka, Bulgaria (Yantra River 2.3, across river from Trnovo), saintly child, commander, Greek allies fled, prayed, rushed center, killed lake beast on way home, died, relics healed, 1800 r transferred to Wallacia; Potuka; Righteous Michael the soldier of Potouka, Bulgaria, Commemorated on November 22 ; Michael the Soldier of Bulgaria, among the first of the Bulgarians to become Christian, lived in the city of Potuka during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Michael III (855-867). still an infant, he was known as a “saintly child.” his youth he led a blameless life, possessed the fear of God, fasted, generously distributed alms to the poor, visited the sick, and was meek and humble. twenty-four years of age Saint Michael was made commander of a troop of soldiers. that time, the Turks were warring against Christians, and Saint Michael inspired his troops by his bravery in battle. the allies of the Bulgarians, the Greeks, fled from the field of battle, he fell to the ground and prayed with tears for the deliverance of the Christians. he led his own soldiers against the enemy. Rushing into the center of the enemy formation, he put them into disarray, and remained unharmed himself. homeward after a battle, he rescued the inhabitants of a certain city in the Raipha wilderness from a huge beast which emerged from a lake and attacked children. came to see this brave soldier when they heard that he had slain the beast they once worshiped as a god. He preached the Gospel to them, and turned them from demon worship and human sacrifice. after he returned home, Saint Michael surrendered his soul to the Lord, Whom he had loved since his youth. He wrought many miracles after death, healing those who came to him with faith. transfer of the relics of the saint from Potuka to Trnovo occurred in the year 1206, and at the beginning of the nineteenth century, they were transferred to Wallachia.

Bulgaria, 860-916, Clement of Ochrid, Enlightener of Bulgarians, s in Slavonic, first s author
Bulgarian Saint, 860-916, Saint Clement of Ohrid; St Clement the Bishop of Ochrid and Enlightener of the Bulgarians, Commemorated on November 25; Clement, Bishop of Ochrid, Equal of the Apostles, Nahum, Savva, Gorazd and Angelar1 were Slavs, disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodios (May 11). At first they lived as ascetics in Moravia, where Saint Gorazd succeeded Saint Methodios as bishop. He was fluent in Slavonic, Greek and Latin. Saints Clement, Nahum, Angelar and Savva were priests. Enlighteners of the Slavs were opposed by German missionaries, who had the support of the Pope and the patronage of the Moravian Prince Svyatopolk. The struggle centered around the questions of the need for Divine Services in Slavonic, the Filioque, and Saturday fasting. Pope Stephen VI prohibited the use of Slavonic in church. proponents of the three-tongued heresy (who wanted to use only Hebrew, Greek, or Latin for Church Services), after setting aside the ancestral language of the Slavic peoples, brought the disciples of Saint Methodios to trial, including Saint Clement. They subjected them to fierce torture: dragging them through thorns, and holding them in prison for a long time, just as they had done with their Spiritual Father, Saint Methodios. 886, some of the prisoners were sold to slave-traders, and ended up in the Venice marketplace. The ambassador of the Byzantine Emperor Basil the Macedonian went to Venice, ransomed the Saints and took them to Constantinople. The older confessors were banished. It is not known where Saint Gorazd went, nor where Saint Savva found shelter. Saints Nahum and Angelar went to Bulgaria. 907 Moravia collapsed under the onslaught of the Magyars, and Moravian refugees by the same routes followed earlier by the Saints they had exiled. Bulgarians received the Slavonic confessors with respect and requested them to conduct Divine Services in the Slavonic language. The Bulgarian Prince Boris sought people such as the disciples of Saint Methodios, who labored for the enlightenment of his nation. Right away, the Saints began to study Slavonic books collected by the Bulgarian nobles. Angelar soon reposed, and Saint Clement was appointed to teach at Kutmichivitsa, in southwest Macedonia. In the Eastern Church, a teacher had to be a worthy person, someone known for his devout life, and who was able to speak well in public. Saint Clement was a teacher while he was still in Moravia. In Bulgaria, he worked as an instructor until 893. He organized a school at the princely court, which was highly regarded by the time of Simeon's reign. In southwest Macedonia he created separate schools for adults and children. Clement instructed the children in reading and in writing. The total number of his students was enormous. Those chosen and accepted for ordination amounted to 3500 men. In the year 893, Saint Clement became Bishop of Dremvitsa, or Velitsa, and Saint Nahum took his place. Clement was the first Bulgarian hierarch to serve, preach and write in the Slavonic language. To this end he systematically trained clergy from among the Slavic people. The holy bishop labored for the glory of God into his old age. When his strength failed, and he was unable to fulfill his responsibilities in the cathedral, he asked Tsar Simeon to let him retire. Tsar urged the Saint not to abandon his cathedral, and Saint Clement agreed to continue his episcopal service. After this he went to Okhrid, to a monastery he founded. There he continued his work of translation, including some important portions of the Pentecostarion. Clement became seriously ill and departed to the Lord in the year 916. His body was placed in a coffin, which he had made with his own hands, and was buried at Okhrid's Saint Panteleimon Monastery. Clement is considered the first Slavonic author. Not only did he continue the translation work begun by Saints Cyril and Methodios, he also left behind works of his own composition, the first samples of Slavonic spiritual literature. of the lessons and sermons of Saint Clement were brought to Russia, where they were read and lovingly copied by devout Russian Christians. relics of Saints Gorazd and Angelar rest near Berat in Albania, and Saint Nahum’s relics are in the monastery which bears his name, near Lake Okhrid. Clement is also commemorated on November 22 (Greek usage), on November 25 (his Name Day), and on July 27 (the day of his blessed repose). St Boris (in Holy Baptism Michael), Equal of the Apostles, Prince and Baptizer of Bulgaria, Commemorated on May 2 ;

Bulgaria, 864-865, Bulgaria converted to the Church, Christianity officially adopted
Bulgaria, 864-865, Bulgaria converted to the Church, Christianity officially adopted; St. Photius the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on February 6

Bulgaria, 864-899, 9th Century Folder, Orthodox

Bulgaria, 864-865, Bulgaria converted to the Church, Christianity officially adopted
Bulgaria, 864-865, Bulgaria converted to the Church, Christianity officially adopted; St. Photius the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on February 6; The Placing of the Honorable Robe of the Most Holy Mother of God at Blachernae, Commemorated on July 2;

Bulgaria, 865-885, Byzantine Saints, Cyril and Methodius, created cyrilic alphabet for all slavs, pope did not like that
Constantinople, 835-885, Byzantine Saints, Cyril and Methodius, to the slavs in Pannonia, Great Moravia, and Serbia, created cyrilic alphabet for all slavs, pope did not like that, fled to Bulgaria; (born Constantine, 826–869) and Methodius (815–885) were two brothers and Byzantine Christian theologians and missionaries. For their work evangelizing the Slavs, they are known as the "Apostles to the Slavs".[6] are credited with devising the Glagolitic alphabet, the first alphabet used to transcribe Old Church Slavonic.[7] After their deaths, their pupils continued their missionary work among other Slavs. Both brothers are venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church as saints with the title of "equal-to-apostles". In 1880, Pope Leo XIII introduced their feast into the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1980, Pope John Paul II declared them co-patron saints of Europe, together with Benedict of Nursia.[8] career life two brothers were born in Thessalonica, then located in a Byzantine province with the same name, (today in Greece) – Cyril in about 827–828 and Methodius about 815–820. was reputedly the youngest of seven brothers; he was born Constantine,[9] but was given the name Cyril upon becoming a monk in Rome shortly before his death,[10][11][12] according to the Vita Cyrilli ("The Life of Cyril"). was born Michael and was given the name Methodius upon becoming a monk in Polychron Monastery at Mysian Olympus (present-day Uludağ), in northwest Turkey.[13] father was Leo, a droungarios of the Byzantine theme of Thessalonica, and their mother was Maria. exact ethnic origins of the brothers are unknown, there is controversy as to whether Cyril and Methodius were of Slavic[14] or Greek[15] origin, or both.[16] two brothers lost their father when Cyril was fourteen, and the powerful minister Theoktistos, who was logothetes tou dromou, one of the chief ministers of the Empire, became their protector. was also responsible, along with the regent Bardas, for initiating a far-reaching educational program within the Empire which culminated in the establishment of the University of Magnaura, where Cyril was to teach. Cyril was ordained as priest some time after his education, while his brother Methodius remained a deacon until 867/868.[17] to the Khazars the year 860, Byzantine Emperor Michael III and the Patriarch of Constantinople Photius (a professor of Cyril's at the University and his guiding light in earlier years), sent Cyril on a missionary expedition to the Khazars who had requested a scholar be sent to them who could converse with both Jews and Saracens.[18] has been claimed that Methodius accompanied Cyril on the mission to the Khazars, but this may be a later invention.[citation needed] account of his life presented in the Latin "Legenda" claims that he learned the Khazar language while in Chersonesos, in Taurica (today Crimea). his return to Constantinople, Cyril assumed the role of professor of philosophy at the University while his brother had by this time become a significant figure in Byzantine political and administrative affairs, and an abbot of his monastery.[citation needed] to the Slavs Moravia Cyril and Methodius, painting by Jan Matejko, 1885 862, the brothers began the work which would give them their historical importance. year Prince Rastislav of Great Moravia requested that Emperor Michael III and the Patriarch Photius send missionaries to evangelize his Slavic subjects. His motives in doing so were probably more political than religious. Rastislav had become king with the support of the Frankish ruler Louis the German, but subsequently sought to assert his independence from the Franks. It is a common misconception that Cyril and Methodius were the first to bring Christianity to Moravia, but the letter from Rastislav to Michael III states clearly that Rastislav's people "had already rejected paganism and adhere to the Christian law."[19] Rastislav is said to have expelled missionaries of the Roman Church and instead turned to Constantinople for ecclesiastical assistance and, presumably, a degree of political support.[20] Emperor quickly chose to send Cyril, accompanied by his brother Methodius.[21] The request provided a convenient opportunity to expand Byzantine influence. Their first work seems to have been the training of assistants. 863, they began the task of translating the Gospels and necessary liturgical books into the language now known as Old Church Slavonic[22] and traveled to Great Moravia to promote it.[23] They enjoyed considerable success in this endeavour. they came into conflict with German ecclesiastics who opposed their efforts to create a specifically Slavic liturgy. the purpose of this mission, they devised the Glagolitic alphabet, the first alphabet to be used for Slavonic manuscripts. The Glagolitic alphabet was suited to match the specific features of the Slavic language. Its descendant script, the Cyrillic, is still used by many languages today.[20] brothers wrote the first Slavic Civil Code, which was used in Great Moravia. language derived from Old Church Slavonic, known as Church Slavonic, is still used in liturgy by several Orthodox Churches and also in some Eastern Catholic churches. is impossible to determine with certainty exactly what the brothers translated. The New Testament and the Psalms seem to have been the first, followed by other lessons from the Old Testament.[citation needed] The "Translatio" speaks only of a version of the Gospels by Cyril, and the "Vita Methodii" only of the "evangelium Slovenicum," though other liturgical selections may also have been translated. is it known for sure which liturgy, that of Rome or that of Constantinople, they took as a source. may well have used the Roman alphabet, as suggested by liturgical fragments which adhere closely to the Latin type. This view is confirmed by the "Prague Fragments" and by certain Old Glagolitic liturgical fragments brought from Jerusalem to Kiev and discovered there by Izmail Sreznevsky—probably the oldest document for the Slavonic tongue; these adhere closely to the Latin type, as is shown by the words "Mass," "Preface," and the name of one Felicitas. any case, the circumstances were such that the brothers could hope for no permanent success without obtaining the authorization of Rome. to Rome Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome. Fresco in San Clemente mission of Constantine and Methodius had great success among Slavs in part because they used the people's native language rather than Latin or Greek. Great Moravia, Constantine and Methodius also encountered missionaries from East Francia, representing the western or Latin branch of the Church, and more particularly representing the Carolingian Empire as founded by Charlemagne, and committed to linguistic, and cultural uniformity. They insisted on the use of the Latin liturgy, and they regarded Moravia and the Slavic peoples as part of their rightful mission field. friction developed, the brothers, unwilling to be a cause of dissension among Christians, decided to travel to Rome to see the Pope, and seek a solution that would avoid quarreling between missionaries in the field. 867, Pope Nicholas I (858-867) invited the brothers to Rome. Their evangelizing mission in Moravia had by this time become the focus of a dispute with Archbishop Adalwin of Salzburg (859–873) and Bishop Ermanrich of Passau (866-874), who claimed ecclesiastical control of the same territory and wished to see it use the Latin liturgy exclusively. with the relics of Saint Clement and a retinue of disciples, and passing through Pannonia (the Balaton Principality), where they were well received by Prince Koceľ. activity in Pannonia made a continuation of conflicts inevitable with the German episcopate, and especially with the bishop of Salzburg, to whose jurisdiction Pannonia had belonged for seventy-five years. As early as 865, Bishop Adalwin was found to exercise Episcopal rights there, and the administration under him was in the hands of the archpriest Riehbald. The latter was obliged to retire to Salzburg, but his superior was naturally disinclined to abandon his claims. brothers sought support from Rome, and arrived there in 868, where they were warmly received. This was partly due to their bringing with them the relics of Saint Clement; the rivalry with Constantinople as to the jurisdiction over the territory of the Slavs would incline Rome to value the brothers and their influence.[20] Pope Adrian II (867-872) gave Methodius the title of Archbishop of Sirmium (now Sremska Mitrovica in Serbia) and sent him back in 869, with jurisdiction over all of Moravia and Pannonia, and authorisation to use the Slavonic Liturgy.[24] brothers were praised for their learning and cultivated for their influence in Constantinople. Anastasius Bibliothecarius would later call Cyril "a man of apostolic life" and "a man of great wisdom".[25] project in Moravia found support from Pope Adrian II, who formally authorized the use of the new Slavic liturgy. Methodius was ordained as priest by the pope himself, and five Slavic disciples were ordained as priests (Saint Gorazd, Saint Clement of Ohrid and Saint Naum) and as deacons (Saint Angelar and Saint Sava) by the prominent bishops Formosus and Gauderic.[26] and Methodius along with these five disciples are collectively venerated (mainly by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church) as "Seven Saints".[27] The newly made priests officiated in their own languages at the altars of some of the principal churches. Feeling his end approaching, Cyril became a Basilian monk, was given the new name Cyril,[28] and died in Rome fifty days later (14 February 869). There is some question as to assertion of the Translatio (ix.) that he was made a bishop. statement of the "Vita" that Methodius was made bishop in 870 and not raised to the dignity of an archbishop until 873 is contradicted by the brief of Pope John VIII, written in June 879, according to which Adrian consecrated him archbishop; John includes in his jurisdiction not only Great Moravia and Pannonia, but Serbia as well. alone Saint Cyril and Methodius by Stanislav Dospevski, Bulgarian painter now continued the work among the Slavs alone; not at first in Great Moravia, but in Pannonia (in the Balaton Principality), owing to the political circumstances of the former country, where Rastislav had been taken captive by his nephew Svatopluk in 870, then delivered over to Carloman of Bavaria, and condemned in a diet held at Regensburg at the end of 870. the same time, the East Frankish rulers and their bishops decided to remove Methodius. The archiepiscopal claims of Methodius were considered such an injury to the rights of Salzburg that he was captured and forced to answer to East Frankish bishops: Adalwin of Salzburg, Ermanrich of Passau, and Anno of Freising. a heated discussion, they declared the deposition of the intruder, and ordered him to be sent to Germany, where he was kept prisoner in a monastery for two and a half years.[29] spite of the strong representations of the Conversio Bagoariorum et Carantanorum, written in 871 to influence the pope, though not avowing this purpose, Rome declared emphatically for Methodius, and sent a bishop, Paul of Ancona, to reinstate him and punish his enemies, after which both parties were commanded to appear in Rome with the legate. Thus in 873, new Pope John VIII (872-882) secured the release of Methodius, but instructed him to stop using the Slavonic Liturgy.[30] final years papal will prevailed, and Methodius secured his freedom and his archiepiscopal authority over both Great Moravia and Pannonia, though the use of Slavonic for the mass was still denied to him. authority was restricted in Pannonia when after Koceľ's death the principality was administered by German nobles; but Svatopluk now ruled with practical independence in Great Moravia, and expelled the German clergy. This apparently secured an undisturbed field of operation for Methodius, and the Vita (x.) depicts the next few years (873–879) as a period of fruitful progress. seems to have disregarded, wholly or in part, the prohibition of the Slavonic liturgy; and when Frankish clerics again found their way into the country, and the archbishop's strictness had displeased the licentious Svatopluk, this was made a cause of complaint against him at Rome, coupled with charges regarding the Filioque. 878, Methodius was summoned to Rome on charges of heresy and using Slavonic. This time Pope John was convinced by the arguments that Methodius made in his defence and sent him back cleared of all charges, and with permission to use Slavonic. Carolingian bishop who succeeded him, Witching, suppressed the Slavonic Liturgy and forced the followers of Methodius into exile. Many found refuge with Knyaz Boris of Bulgaria, under whom they reorganised a Slavic-speaking Church. Meanwhile, Pope John's successors adopted a Latin-only policy which lasted for centuries. vindicated his orthodoxy at Rome, the more easily as the creed was still recited there without the Filioque, and promised to obey in regard to the liturgy. The other party was conciliated by giving him a Swabian, Wiching, as his coadjutor. When relations were strained between the two, John VIII steadfastly supported Methodius; but after his death (December 882) the archbishop's position became insecure, and his need of support induced Goetz to accept the statement of the Vita (xiii.) that he went to visit the Eastern emperor. was not until after Methodius' death, which is placed on 6 April 885,[31] that the animosity erupted into an open conflict. whom Methodius had designated as his successor, was not recognised by Pope Stephen V. The same Pope forbade the use of the Slavic liturgy[32] and placed the infamous Wiching as Methodius' successor. latter exiled the disciples of the two brothers from Great Moravia in 885. fled to the First Bulgarian Empire, where they were welcomed and commissioned to establish theological schools. they and scholar Saint Clement of Ohrid[33] devised the Cyrillic script on the basis of the Glagolitic. gradually replaced Glagolitic as the alphabet of the Old Church Slavonic language, which became the official language of the Bulgarian Empire and later spread to the Eastern Slav lands of Kievan Rus'. eventually spread throughout most of the Slavic world to become the standard alphabet in the Eastern Orthodox Slavic countries. Cyril and Methodius' efforts also paved the way for the spread of Christianity throughout Eastern Europe. body was buried in the main cathedral church of Great Moravia. Until today it remains an open question which city was capital of Great Moravia and therefore the place of Methodius' eternal rest remains unknown.[34] of the Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets are the oldest known Slavic alphabets, and were created by the two brothers and their students, to translate the Gospels and liturgical books[22] into the Slavic languages.[35] The early Glagolitic alphabet was used in Great Moravia between 863 (the arrival of Cyril and Methodius) and 885 (the expulsion of their students) for government and religious documents and books, and at the Great Moravian Academy (Veľkomoravské učilište) founded by Cyril, where followers of Cyril and Methodius were educated, by Methodius himself among others. The alphabet has been traditionally attributed to Cyril. That attribution has been confirmed explicitly by the papal letter Industriae tuae (880) approving the use of Old Church Slavonic, which says that the alphabet was "invented by Constantine the Philosopher". The term invention need not exclude the possibility of the brothers having made use of earlier letters, but implies only that before that time the Slavic languages had no distinct script of their own. early Cyrillic alphabet was developed in the First Bulgarian Empire[36] and later finalized and spread by disciples Kliment and Naum in the Ohrid and Preslav schools of Tsar Boris I of Bulgaria[37] as a simplification of the Glagolitic alphabet which more closely resembled the Greek alphabet. It was developed by the disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodius at the Preslav Literary School at the end of the 9th century. the death of Cyril, Clement of Ohrid accompanied Methodius from Rome to Pannonia and Great Moravia. After the death of Methodius in 885, Clement headed the struggle against the German clergy in Great Moravia along with Gorazd. After spending some time in jail, he was expelled from Great Moravia, and in 885 or 886 reached the borders of the Bulgarian Empire together with Naum of Preslav, Angelarius, and possibly Gorazd (according to other sources, Gorazd was already dead by that time). The four of them were afterwards sent to the Bulgarian capital of Pliska, where they were commissioned by Tsar Boris I of Bulgaria to instruct the future clergy of the state in the Slavonic language. the adoption of Christianity in 865, religious ceremonies in Bulgaria were conducted in Greek by clergy sent from the Byzantine Empire. Fearing growing Byzantine influence and weakening of the state, Boris viewed the adoption of the Old Slavonic language as a way to preserve the political independence and stability of Bulgaria, so he established two literary schools (academies), in Pliska and Ohrid, where theology was to be taught in the Slavonic language. While Naum of Preslav stayed in Pliska working on the foundation of the Pliska Literary School, Clement was commissioned by Boris I to organise the teaching of theology to future clergymen in Old Church Slavonic at the Ohrid Literary School. For seven years (886-893) Clement taught some 3,500 students in the Slavonic language and the Glagolitic alphabet. CYRIL AND METHODIUS, MISSIONARIES TO THE SLAVS (14 FEB 869); Repose of St Cyril, Equal of the Apostles and Teacher of the Slavs, Commemorated on February 14 ; Equal of the Apostles and Teacher of the Slavs, Cyril, Commemorated on May 11;

Bulgaria, 886-916, Nahum of Ochrid, Cyril&Methodius, monastery w Clement of O, wonderworker, slavonic translator
Albania, 850-916, Nahum of Ochrid, Cyril&Methodius, of Five Followers, great learning, languages, Rome to Orchrid, monastery w Clement of O, wonderworker, prayer, slavonic translator, incorrupt relics; Ochrid (largest city on Lake Ochrid); St Nahum of Ochrid, the Disciple of St Cyril and Methodius, Equal of the Apostles, Commemorated December 23 ; Nahum was a disciple of Saints Cyril and Methodius (May 11), one of their coworkers known as the Five Followers. Nahum was a man of great learning, and he spoke several languages. After a visit to Rome, he settled on the shores of Lake Ochrid. There he built a monastery at the time when Saint Clement of Ochrid (July 27) was serving as a bishop. monks gathered around Saint Nahum, who was known as a great wonderworker and a man of prayer. also labored to translate the Holy Scriptures from Greek into Slavonic. Nahum fell asleep in the Lord in 910, and his holy relics continue to work miracles of healing for those who venerate them in faith.

Bulgaria, 889-893, Tsar, Vladimir, Serb Wars, Pagan, tried end Christianity, deposed&blinded by his f
Bulgarian Tsar, 889-893, Vladimir of Bulgaria; was the ruler of the First Bulgarian Empire from 889 to 893. 853 or 854, the Bulgar Army led by Vladimir, the son of Boris I of Bulgaria, invaded Serbia in an attempt to exact vengeance for the previous defeat of Presian in 839-842 against Vlastimir. Serbian Army, led by Mutimir and his brothers, defeated the Bulgars, capturing Vladimir and 12 boyars.[1] Boris I and Mutimir agreed on peace (and perhaps an alliance[1]), and Mutimir sent his sons Pribislav and Stefan to the border to escort the prisoners, where they exchanged items as a sign of peace. Boris gave them "rich gifts", while he was given "two slaves, two falcons, two dogs, and 80 furs". became ruler (Tzar) of Bulgaria when his father Boris-Mihail I (Boris adopted the name Mihail - Michael - after his baptism) decided to retire to a monastery after a reign of 36 years. Preserved seals with the inscription "Michael the Monk, who is archon of the Bulgarians" suggest, however, that Boris I never fully relinquished his power. was the oldest of Boris-Mihail's sons and possibly the only one of them who had been born before Boris' adoption of Christianity.[2] to Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitos, Vladimir had taken part in a Bulgarian invasion of the Serbian lands, predating the Christianization of Bulgaria. little that is known about his reign includes a military alliance he concluded in 892 with the East Frankish (German) King Arnulf of Carinthia against Great Moravia which, having in mind the interests of the Byzantine Empire, was indirectly aimed against Constantinople. This was a serious straying from the pro-Byzantine policy of his father. is mainly remembered for his attempt to eliminate Christianity in Bulgaria and the re-institution of Paganism. This event is written of by Constantine of Preslav in his Didactic Gospel. started the process of destroying the Christian temples and persecuting of the clergymen, because he regarded them as instruments of Byzantium and its efforts to influence the Bulgarian kingdom. Vladimir-Rasate's actions were not well received by the population and the aristocracy, and he was only supported by a few of the boyars. Therefore, in 893, Boris I left the monastery he inhabited and dispossessed his son. He blinded Vladimir and put him in a dungeon, where his trails vanish. placed his third son Simeon on the Bulgarian throne during the Council of Preslav, itself a direct consequence of Vladimir-Rasate's ill-fated attempt to restore paganism.[3] Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18;

Bulgaria, 893-927, Tsar, Simeon I, won against Byzantines, Serbs and Magyars, greatest expansion
Bulgarian Tsar, 893-927, Simeon I of Bulgaria; Simeon ruled over Bulgaria from 893 to 927,[3] during the First Bulgarian Empire. Simeon's successful campaigns against the Byzantines, Magyars and Serbs led Bulgaria to its greatest territorial expansion ever,[4] making it the most powerful state in contemporary Eastern and Southeast Europe.[5] His reign was also a period of unmatched cultural prosperity and enlightenment later deemed the Golden Age of Bulgarian culture.[6] During Simeon's rule, Bulgaria spread over a territory between the Aegean, the Adriatic and the Black Sea.[7][8] The newly independent Bulgarian Orthodox Church became the first new patriarchate besides the Pentarchy, and Bulgarian Glagolitic and Cyrillic translations of Christian texts spread all over the Slavic world of the time.[9] It was at the Preslav Literary School in the 890s that the Cyrillic alphabet was developed.[10][11][12] Halfway through his reign, Simeon assumed the title of Emperor (Tsar),[13] having prior to that been styled Prince (Knyaz).[14] Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18;

Bulgaria, 896-946, John of Rila, cow calf river story, beans story, appearance for relics story
Bulgarian Saint, 896-946, John of Rila ; Repose of Venerable John, Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18; John of Rila, the great spiritual ascetic of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and Heavenly Protector of the Bulgarian nation, was born in the year 876 in the village of Skrino in the Sredets district [now Sofia]. he had been orphaned, the boy became a cowherd in order to avoid people. Once the rich man beat him for losing a cow with its calf. The boy cried long and he prayed, that God would help him. When he found the cow with the calf, the water at that time flowed high and strong in the River Struma. The young cowherd prayed, he placed his own tattered shirt on the water, made the Sign of the Cross over it, took up the calf in his arms and went with it, as though on dry land, to the other bank of the river where the cow was. rich man, hidden in the forest, was frightened upon seeing this miracle. He rewarded the youth generously, then sent him away from his home. Having given away his things, the boy left his village. Where and when the saint took monastic tonsure is unknown. the very beginning he lived an ascetical life on top of a high and barren hill, eating only wild plants. His cell was made from brushwood. After a short time, robbers fell upon him by night, beat him, and drove him away. Later, he found a deep cave and settled in it. Soon, his nephew Saint Luke also came to live there. secretly left the home of his parents and went into the wilderness where the Saint was living. After much effort, he succeeded in finding him. At first the blessed one, seeing him from afar, thought this was a demonic temptation, and so he prayed. Like many solitaries, Saint John was bothered by demons, who assumed the shape of wild animals and tried to force him to leave. As Luke approached, he made prostration and asked for Saint John's blessing. That convinced the ascetic that it was truly his nephew, and not a delusion. He blessed Luke and asked why he had come. The young man told him of his desire to share his way of life, and was permitted to remain. Luke emulated Saint John the Forerunner, who had lived in the wilderness from childhood. could not endure Saint John's holy life of prayer and fasting. Moved by the devil, an acquaintance of Luke's father found him overwhelmed by grief and upset by his son's disappearance, so he said, "Your brother John came by night, took your son, and has him even now. Unless you rescue the boy, he will become food for the wild beasts. Come, and I will show you where he is, and then you can go and take your child." Luke's father heard this, he became furious and cursed his innocent brother. When they came near the place, the acquaintance showed him John's cave from afar and departed. The brother went on and found the Saint. He reproached him, calling him a deceiver and an evil man who had stolen his son. tried to kill the venerable one with a heavy stick and some stones, but Saint John just stood there saying nothing. The father seized the boy and took him from the wilderness, intending to bring him back to the world. The blessed man, knew that the child would fall into the snares of the devil, was overcome with sorrow and tears. Hefell to his knees and prayed: "Lord Jesus Christ, behold the affliction of my heart, and grant me a sign of Thy mercy. Thou hast said, 'Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven' (Matthew 19:24). they had walked a short distance, a snake bit Luke, and at once he died a painless death. The father did not know what to do. He returned to Saint John and repented of his actions. With profound sorrow, he revealed what had happened. Saint John told him to bury the boy and return to his home. The Saint was comforted in his sorrow and he glorified God, because by means of a physical death, He had saved the child from the future death of his soul. Saint John often visited the grave of his righteous nephew, which became his favorite place of solitude. John spent twelve years in the desolate cave, and then he went into the Rila wilderness and settled in the hollow of a tree. He fasted and prayed a great deal, wept incessantly, and ate only grass. Seeing such endurance, God caused beans to grow, which he ate for a long time. The beans and his exploits made him known to people. a flock of frightened sheep ran along the hilly steep paths, and did not stop until the place where the monk lived. The shepherds, following after the flock, with astonishment saw the hermit, who amicably greeted them: “You arrive here hungry. Pick some of my beans and eat.” All ate and were satisfied. One gathered many beans in reserve. Along the way home he offered them to his comrades, but there were no beans in the pilfered pods. The shepherds turned back penitent, and the Elder stood there, saying with a smile: “See, children, these fruits are appointed by God for subsistence in the wilderness.” that time they began to bring to the monk the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits, which he healed by prayer. Fleeing celebrity, the monk went from his beloved tree-hollow and settled on a high and rocky crag difficult of access, where he dwelt for seven years under the open sky. Reports about the great ascetic reached even the Bulgarian king Peter (927-969), who wanted to meet him. Saint John wrote a letter, refusing such a meeting out of humility. on Saint John accepted under him the guidance of monks, who built a monastery with a church in the cave where Saint John formerly lived. He wisely tended his flock and died on August 18, 946 at 70 years of age. years before his end he wrote in his own hand “A Testament to Disciples,” one of the finest creations of Old Bulgarian literature. The holy life of the ascetic and the remarkable mercies of God through his prayers were a fine preaching of the Christian Faith in the newly-baptized Bulgarian land. In the uneasy time of struggle of Bulgaria with Byzantium, under the west Bulgarian king Samuel (976-1014), Saint John appeared to his disciples, commanding them to transfer his relics to Sredets (Sofia), where the Bulgarian Patriarch Damian (927-972) was hiding. It is presumed that the transfer of relics took place in the year 980. later, the right hand of Saint John of Rila was transferred to Russia (presumably to the city of Rila, where a church was constructed in the name of Saint John of Rila, with a chapel dedicated to the martyrs Florus and Laurus, on the day of their commemoration (August 18) on which he died). name of Saint John was known and loved by the Russian people from antiquity. Data about the death of the saint is preserved, especially in Russian sources (the Menaion for August in the twelfth century, in the Mazurinsk Chronicle). the year 1183, the Hungarian king Bela II (1174-1196), during a campaign against the Greeks, seized the chest with the relics of Saint John, together with other booty, and took it to the city of Esztergom. the year 1187, after he embellished the reliquary, he sent back the holy relics with great honor. On October 19, 1238 the relics of Saint John were solemnly transferred to the new capital, Trnovo, and put in a church dedicated to the saint. On July 1, 1469 the holy relics of Saint John of Rila were returned to the Rila monastery, where they rest to the present day, granting grace-filled help to all the believers. St John-Vladimir the Prince of Bulgaria, the Greatmartyr and Miracle-worker, Commemorated on May 22;

Bulgaria, 900, 10th Century Folder, Orthodox

Bulgaria, 901-946, Saint John of Rila, A Testament to Disciples
Bulgaria, 900-946, Saint John of Rila; Translation of the relics of Venerable St John the Abbot of Rila in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 19 ; we commemorate the transfer of the relics of Saint John, Abbot of Rila in Bulgaria (1238). relics of Saint John were transferred from the city of Sredets [Sofia] to Trnovo, the capital of the Bulgarian realm, in the year 1238. See August 18 for his Life. Repose of Venerable John, Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18; John of Rila, the great spiritual ascetic of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and Heavenly Protector of the Bulgarian nation, was born in the year 876 in the village of Skrino in the Sredets district [now Sofia]. he had been orphaned, the boy became a cowherd in order to avoid people. Once the rich man beat him for losing a cow with its calf. The boy cried long and he prayed, that God would help him. When he found the cow with the calf, the water at that time flowed high and strong in the River Struma. The young cowherd prayed, he placed his own tattered shirt on the water, made the Sign of the Cross over it, took up the calf in his arms and went with it, as though on dry land, to the other bank of the river where the cow was. rich man, hidden in the forest, was frightened upon seeing this miracle. He rewarded the youth generously, then sent him away from his home. Having given away his things, the boy left his village. Where and when the saint took monastic tonsure is unknown. the very beginning he lived an ascetical life on top of a high and barren hill, eating only wild plants. His cell was made from brushwood. After a short time, robbers fell upon him by night, beat him, and drove him away. Later, he found a deep cave and settled in it. Soon, his nephew Saint Luke also came to live there. secretly left the home of his parents and went into the wilderness where the Saint was living. After much effort, he succeeded in finding him. At first the blessed one, seeing him from afar, thought this was a demonic temptation, and so he prayed. Like many solitaries, Saint John was bothered by demons, who assumed the shape of wild animals and tried to force him to leave. As Luke approached, he made prostration and asked for Saint John's blessing. That convinced the ascetic that it was truly his nephew, and not a delusion. He blessed Luke and asked why he had come. The young man told him of his desire to share his way of life, and was permitted to remain. Luke emulated Saint John the Forerunner, who had lived in the wilderness from childhood. could not endure Saint John's holy life of prayer and fasting. Moved by the devil, an acquaintance of Luke's father found him overwhelmed by grief and upset by his son's disappearance, so he said, "Your brother John came by night, took your son, and has him even now. Unless you rescue the boy, he will become food for the wild beasts. Come, and I will show you where he is, and then you can go and take your child." Luke's father heard this, he became furious and cursed his innocent brother. When they came near the place, the acquaintance showed him John's cave from afar and departed. The brother went on and found the Saint. He reproached him, calling him a deceiver and an evil man who had stolen his son. tried to kill the venerable one with a heavy stick and some stones, but Saint John just stood there saying nothing. The father seized the boy and took him from the wilderness, intending to bring him back to the world. The blessed man, knew that the child would fall into the snares of the devil, was overcome with sorrow and tears. Hefell to his knees and prayed: "Lord Jesus Christ, behold the affliction of my heart, and grant me a sign of Thy mercy. Thou hast said, 'Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven' (Matthew 19:24). they had walked a short distance, a snake bit Luke, and at once he died a painless death. The father did not know what to do. He returned to Saint John and repented of his actions. With profound sorrow, he revealed what had happened. Saint John told him to bury the boy and return to his home. The Saint was comforted in his sorrow and he glorified God, because by means of a physical death, He had saved the child from the future death of his soul. Saint John often visited the grave of his righteous nephew, which became his favorite place of solitude. John spent twelve years in the desolate cave, and then he went into the Rila wilderness and settled in the hollow of a tree. He fasted and prayed a great deal, wept incessantly, and ate only grass. Seeing such endurance, God caused beans to grow, which he ate for a long time. The beans and his exploits made him known to people. a flock of frightened sheep ran along the hilly steep paths, and did not stop until the place where the monk lived. The shepherds, following after the flock, with astonishment saw the hermit, who amicably greeted them: “You arrive here hungry. Pick some of my beans and eat.” All ate and were satisfied. One gathered many beans in reserve. Along the way home he offered them to his comrades, but there were no beans in the pilfered pods. The shepherds turned back penitent, and the Elder stood there, saying with a smile: “See, children, these fruits are appointed by God for subsistence in the wilderness.” that time they began to bring to the monk the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits, which he healed by prayer. Fleeing celebrity, the monk went from his beloved tree-hollow and settled on a high and rocky crag difficult of access, where he dwelt for seven years under the open sky. Reports about the great ascetic reached even the Bulgarian king Peter (927-969), who wanted to meet him. Saint John wrote a letter, refusing such a meeting out of humility. on Saint John accepted under him the guidance of monks, who built a monastery with a church in the cave where Saint John formerly lived. He wisely tended his flock and died on August 18, 946 at 70 years of age. years before his end he wrote in his own hand “A Testament to Disciples,” one of the finest creations of Old Bulgarian literature. The holy life of the ascetic and the remarkable mercies of God through his prayers were a fine preaching of the Christian Faith in the newly-baptized Bulgarian land. In the uneasy time of struggle of Bulgaria with Byzantium, under the west Bulgarian king Samuel (976-1014), Saint John appeared to his disciples, commanding them to transfer his relics to Sredets (Sofia), where the Bulgarian Patriarch Damian (927-972) was hiding. It is presumed that the transfer of relics took place in the year 980. later, the right hand of Saint John of Rila was transferred to Russia (presumably to the city of Rila, where a church was constructed in the name of Saint John of Rila, with a chapel dedicated to the martyrs Florus and Laurus, on the day of their commemoration (August 18) on which he died). name of Saint John was known and loved by the Russian people from antiquity. Data about the death of the saint is preserved, especially in Russian sources (the Menaion for August in the twelfth century, in the Mazurinsk Chronicle). the year 1183, the Hungarian king Bela II (1174-1196), during a campaign against the Greeks, seized the chest with the relics of Saint John, together with other booty, and took it to the city of Esztergom. the year 1187, after he embellished the reliquary, he sent back the holy relics with great honor. On October 19, 1238 the relics of Saint John were solemnly transferred to the new capital, Trnovo, and put in a church dedicated to the saint. On July 1, 1469 the holy relics of Saint John of Rila were returned to the Rila monastery, where they rest to the present day, granting grace-filled help to all the believers. Blessed Peter the King of Bulgaria, Commemorated on January 30; Translation of the relics of the Venerable John of Rila from Trnovo to Rila, Commemorated on July 1;

Bulgaria, 907-916, Clement of Ochrid, Bulgaria&Macedonia, Cyril&Method disciple, Slavonic s, Slavery, ransomed, Bulgaria
Albania, 850-916, Clement of Ochrid, Albania, disciple of Cyril and Methodios, services in Slavonic, sold as slaves in 886, ransomed from Venice, Moravia colapsed 907, to Bulgaria, Slavonic s, teach in Kutmichivisa Clement of Ohrid (c. 830-840 – 916) was one of the first Medieval Bulgarian saints,[6] scholar, writer and enlightener of the Slavs.[7][8][9][10][11] was one of the most prominent disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodius and is often associated with the creation of the Glagolitic and Cyrillic scripts, especially their popularisation among Christianised Slavs. was the founder of the Ohrid Literary School and is regarded as a patron of education and language by some Slavic people. is considered to be the first bishop of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church,[12][13] one of the Seven Apostles of Bulgarian Orthodox Church and one of the premier saints of modern Bulgaria.[14] mission of Saint Clement was the crucial factor which transformed the Slavs in Macedonia into Bulgarians.[15] Saint Clement is also the patron saint of North Macedonia, the city of Ohrid[5] and the Macedonian Orthodox Church.[16][17] Ochrid (largest city on Lake Ochrid); Slavs; St Clement the Bishop of Ochrid and Enlightener of the Bulgarians, Commemorated on November 25 ; Clement, Bishop of Ochrid, Equal of the Apostles, Nahum, Savva, Gorazd and Angelar1 were Slavs, disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodios (May 11). first they lived as ascetics in Moravia, where Saint Gorazd succeeded Saint Methodios as bishop. He was fluent in Slavonic, Greek and Latin. Saints Clement, Nahum, Angelar and Savva were priests. Enlighteners of the Slavs were opposed by German missionaries, who had the support of the Pope and the patronage of the Moravian Prince Svyatopolk. struggle centered around the questions of the need for Divine Services in Slavonic, the Filioque, and Saturday fasting. Pope Stephen VI prohibited the use of Slavonic in church. proponents of the three-tongued heresy (who wanted to use only Hebrew, Greek, or Latin for Church Services), after setting aside the ancestral language of the Slavic peoples, brought the disciples of Saint Methodios to trial, including Saint Clement. They subjected them to fierce torture: dragging them through thorns, and holding them in prison for a long time, just as they had done with their Spiritual Father, Saint Methodios. 886, some of the prisoners were sold to slave-traders, and ended up in the Venice marketplace. The ambassador of the Byzantine Emperor Basil the Macedonian went to Venice, ransomed the Saints and took them to Constantinople. The older confessors were banished. It is not known where Saint Gorazd went, nor where Saint Savva found shelter. Saints Nahum and Angelar went to Bulgaria. 907 Moravia collapsed under the onslaught of the Magyars, and Moravian refugees by the same routes followed earlier by the Saints they had exiled. Bulgarians received the Slavonic confessors with respect and requested them to conduct Divine Services in the Slavonic language. Bulgarian Prince Boris sought people such as the disciples of Saint Methodios, who labored for the enlightenment of his nation. Right away, the Saints began to study Slavonic books collected by the Bulgarian nobles. Angelar soon reposed, and Saint Clement was appointed to teach at Kutmichivitsa, in southwest Macedonia. In the Eastern Church, a teacher had to be a worthy person, someone known for his devout life, and who was able to speak well in public. Saint Clement was a teacher while he was still in Moravia. In Bulgaria, he worked as an instructor until 893. He organized a school at the princely court, which was highly regarded by the time of Simeon's reign. In southwest Macedonia he created separate schools for adults and children. Clement instructed the children in reading and in writing. The total number of his students was enormous. Those chosen and accepted for ordination amounted to 3500 men. In the year 893, Saint Clement became Bishop of Dremvitsa, or Velitsa, and Saint Nahum took his place. Clement was the first Bulgarian hierarch to serve, preach and write in the Slavonic language. To this end he systematically trained clergy from among the Slavic people. The holy bishop labored for the glory of God into his old age. When his strength failed, and he was unable to fulfill his responsibilities in the cathedral, he asked Tsar Simeon to let him retire. Tsar urged the Saint not to abandon his cathedral, and Saint Clement agreed to continue his episcopal service. After this he went to Okhrid, to a monastery he founded. There he continued his work of translation, including some important portions of the Pentecostarion. Clement became seriously ill and departed to the Lord in the year 916. His body was placed in a coffin, which he had made with his own hands, and was buried at Okhrid's Saint Panteleimon Monastery. Clement is considered the first Slavonic author. Not only did he continue the translation work begun by Saints Cyril and Methodios, he also left behind works of his own composition, the first samples of Slavonic spiritual literature. of the lessons and sermons of Saint Clement were brought to Russia, where they were read and lovingly copied by devout Russian Christians. relics of Saints Gorazd and Angelar rest near Berat in Albania, and Saint Nahum’s relics are in the monastery which bears his name, near Lake Okhrid. Clement is also commemorated on November 22 (Greek usage), on November 25 (his Name Day), and on July 27 (the day of his blessed repose). His name may come from the Greek word αναγορεύω (to proclaim).

Bulgaria, 927-969, Tsar, Peter I, prosperity, well organized, 933 Serb revolt, 968 Rus Byz attack
Bulgarian Tsar, 927-969, Peter I of Bulgaria; I ( I) (died 30 January 970) was emperor (tsar) of Bulgaria from 27 May 927 to 969. Early reign[edit] Peter I was the son of Simeon I of Bulgaria by his second marriage to the sister of George Sursuvul. Peter had been born early in the 10th century, but it appears that his maternal uncle was very influential at the beginning of his reign. In 913 Peter may have visited the imperial palace at Constantinople together with his older brother Michael. For unspecified reasons, Simeon had forced Michael to become a monk and had named Peter as his successor. To prove himself a worthy successor to his father both at home and in the eyes of foreign governments, Peter began his reign with a military offensive into Byzantine Thrace in 927 which was the last campaign of the Byzantine-“Bulgarian war of 913-“927. Nevertheless, he followed up his quick successes by secretly negotiating a peace treaty before the Byzantine government had a chance to retaliate. Byzantine Emperor Romanos I Lakapenos eagerly accepted the proposal for peace and arranged for a diplomatic marriage between his granddaughter Maria and the Bulgarian monarch. October 927 Peter arrived near Constantinople to meet Romanos and signed the peace treaty, marrying Maria on 8 November in the church of the Zodochos Pege. To signify the new era in Bulgaro-Byzantine relations, the princess was renamed Eirene ("peace"). The extensive Preslav Treasure is thought to represent part of the dowry of the princess. The treaty of 927 actually represents the fruit of Simeon's military successes and diplomatic initiatives, ably continued by his son's government. Peace was obtained with the frontiers restored to those defined in treaties of 897 and 904. The Byzantines recognised the Bulgarian monarch's title of emperor and the autocephalus status of the Bulgarian patriarchate, while the payment of an annual tribute to Bulgaria by the Byzantine Empire was renewed.[1] and incursions[edit] initial successes of Peter's reign were followed by several minor setbacks. Around 930, Peter faced a revolt led by his younger brother Ivan, who was defeated and sent into exile in Byzantium. afterwards Peter's older brother Michael escaped from his monastery and led a more formidable rebellion, which terminated with his early death. youngest brother, Benjamin (also called Bojan), was accused of being a werewolf and magician by the Italian Bishop Liutprand of Cremona, but he apparently posed no threat to Peter's authority. taking advantage of these challenges to Peter's rule, the Prince of Serbia Vaslav Klonimirovi escaped the Bulgarian capital Preslav in 933 and, with tacit Byzantine support, managed to raise a Serbian revolt against Bulgarian rule.[2] The revolt succeeded and Serbia recovered its independence. Peter may have had to also face the incursions of the Magyars, who had been defeated and forced into Pannonia by his father in 896. Perhaps after an initial defeat, Peter came to terms with the enemy and now used Magyar groups as his allies against Serbia. Various Magyar clans and chieftains appear to have begun to settle in what was still Bulgarian territory north of the Danube, where they may have become Bulgarian federates, enjoying independence from the Sa¡d dynasty. This arrangement paved the way for the eventual loss of the region to the Magyars, although that happened over the half-century following Peter's death. Peter apparently allowed these groups to cross Bulgaria and raid Byzantine territories in Thrace and Macedonia, perhaps as an underhanded reaction against Byzantine support for the Serbian rebellion. rule[edit] I presided over a long and relatively peaceful reign, albeit one poorly illuminated by foreign or native sources. In spite of the challenges he encountered soon after his accession and the critical situation at the very end of his life, Peter's Bulgaria appears to have been prosperous and increasingly well organized, with an administrative apparatus noted by foreign travelers and confirmed by the numerous finds of imperial seals. Peter was particularly generous towards the Church, which he endowed lavishly throughout his reign. The emperor's generosity reached such an extent that it was seen as a corrupting factor by even Orthodox clerics, like Cosmas Presbyter. Others chose a path away from the temptations of the secular world, most notably Saint Ivan of Rila, but their ascetic existence still drew the attention of the monarch. Luxury and social tensions may have contributed to the spread of the Bogomil heresy, which Peter duly undertook to combat, soliciting the advice of famous hermits and even his uncle-in-law, Patriarch Theophylact of Constantinople. with Byzantium and Rus[edit] article: Sviatoslav's invasion of Bulgaria with the Byzantine Empire worsened after the death of Peter's wife in the mid-960s. Victorious over the Arabs, Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas refused to pay the annual tribute to Bulgaria in 966, complaining of the Bulgarian alliance with the Magyars, and he undertook a show of force at the Bulgarian border. Dissuaded from a direct attack against Bulgaria, Nikephoros II dispatched a messenger to the Rus prince Sviatoslav Igorevich to arrange a Rus attack against Bulgaria from the north. Death of Emperor Peter I. readily launched a campaign with a vast force of 60,000 troops, routed the Bulgarians on the Danube, and defeated them in a battle near Silistra, seizing some 80 Bulgarian fortresses in 968. Stunned by the success of his ally and suspicious of his actual intentions, Emperor Nikephoros II hastened to make peace with Bulgaria and arranged the marriage of his wards, the underage emperors Basil II and Constantine VIII, to two Bulgarian princesses. Two of Peter's sons were sent to Constantinople as both negotiators and honorary hostages. In the meantime Peter managed to secure the retreat of the Rus forces by inciting Bulgaria's traditional allies, the Pechenegs, to attack Kiev itself. spite of this temporary success and the reconciliation with Byzantium, Bulgaria faced a new invasion by Sviatoslav in 969. The Bulgarians were defeated again, and Peter suffered a stroke, which led him to abdicate and become a monk. He died on 30 January 970. with the military success of his father's reign, Peter has been traditionally considered a weak ruler, who lost lands and prestige, allowed his military forces to decline while his country was ravaged by foreign invaders, and turned Bulgaria into a Byzantine satellite governed by Byzantine agents in the persons of his empress and her retinue. This view has been questioned by more recent scholarship, which emphasizes the affluence and internal peace enjoyed by Bulgarian society during his long reign, re-evaluates the relationship between Bulgaria and its semi-nomadic neighbors (Magyars and Pechenegs), and questions the allegedly sinister role of Romanos' granddaughter and her retinue.[3] While Peter's reign witnessed the spread of the Bogomil heresy, its origins were more demographic (perhaps inspired by Paulicians settled earlier by Byzantine emperors in Thrace) than social, and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church canonized him as a saint. Peter was considered a good ruler in the Middle Ages, and when Bulgaria fell under Byzantine rule (1018–1185), leaders of attempts to restore Bulgarian independence adopted his name to emphasize legitimacy and continuity (both Peter Delyan and Constantine Bodin adopted the royal name of Peter in their attempts to regain the throne from the Byzantines). Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18; Blessed Peter the King of Bulgaria, Commemorated on January 30; Peter, King of Bulgaria, was the son of the militant Bulgarian prince Simeon. Saint Peter was distinguished for his Christian piety, and he often turned to Saint John of Rila (August 18, October 19), asking his prayers, spiritual guidance and advice. Peter concluded peace with Byzantium on terms advantageous for Bulgaria. He also gained recognition from the Patriarch of Constantinople for the autonomy of the Bulgarian Church, and the affirmation of a Patriarchal throne in Bulgaria, benefiting all the Bulgarian Church. Peter aided in the successful extirpation of the Bogomil heresy in his lands. He died in the year 967, at fifty-six years of age.

Bulgaria, 927-969, Bogomilism, heresy, neo gnostic or dualist sect
Bulgaria, 927-969, Bogomilism; Bogomilism was a Christian neo-Gnostic or dualist sect founded in the First Bulgarian Empire by the priest Bogomil during the reign of Tsar Peter I in the 10th century.[1][2][3] It most probably arose in what is today the region of Macedonia.[4][5] Bogomils called for a return to what they considered to be early spiritual teaching, rejecting the ecclesiastical hierarchy, and their primary political tendencies were resistance to the state and church authorities. This helped the movement spread quickly in the Balkans, gradually expanding throughout the Byzantine Empire and later reaching Kievan Rus', Bosnia (Bosnian Church), Dalmatia, Serbia, Italy, and France (Cathars). Bogomils were dualists or Gnostics in that they believed in a world within the body and a world outside the body. They did not use the Christian cross, nor build churches, as they revered their gifted form and considered their body to be the temple. This gave rise to many forms of practice to cleanse oneself through purging,[clarification needed] fasting, celebrating and dancing. Bulgarian Tsar, 927-969, Peter I of Bulgaria; Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18; Blessed Peter the King of Bulgaria, Commemorated on January 30;

Bulgaria, 927-972, Damian, Bulgarian Patriarch, t my relics to Sofia, where Damian is hiding
Bulgarian Patriarch, 927-972, Damian Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18; years before his end he wrote in his own hand “A Testament to Disciples,” one of the finest creations of Old Bulgarian literature. The holy life of the ascetic and the remarkable mercies of God through his prayers were a fine preaching of the Christian Faith in the newly-baptized Bulgarian land. the uneasy time of struggle of Bulgaria with Byzantium, under the west Bulgarian king Samuel (976-1014), Saint John appeared to his disciples, commanding them to transfer his relics to Sredets (Sofia), where the Bulgarian Patriarch Damian (927-972) was hiding. It is presumed that the transfer of relics took place in the year 980. John of Rila, the great spiritual ascetic of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and Heavenly Protector of the Bulgarian nation, was born in the year 876 in the village of Skrino in the Sredets district [now Sofia]. he had been orphaned, the boy became a cowherd in order to avoid people. Once the rich man beat him for losing a cow with its calf. The boy cried long and he prayed, that God would help him. When he found the cow with the calf, the water at that time flowed high and strong in the River Struma. The young cowherd prayed, he placed his own tattered shirt on the water, made the Sign of the Cross over it, took up the calf in his arms and went with it, as though on dry land, to the other bank of the river where the cow was. rich man, hidden in the forest, was frightened upon seeing this miracle. He rewarded the youth generously, then sent him away from his home. Having given away his things, the boy left his village. Where and when the saint took monastic tonsure is unknown. the very beginning he lived an ascetical life on top of a high and barren hill, eating only wild plants. His cell was made from brushwood. After a short time, robbers fell upon him by night, beat him, and drove him away. Later, he found a deep cave and settled in it. Soon, his nephew Saint Luke also came to live there. secretly left the home of his parents and went into the wilderness where the Saint was living. After much effort, he succeeded in finding him. At first the blessed one, seeing him from afar, thought this was a demonic temptation, and so he prayed. Like many solitaries, Saint John was bothered by demons, who assumed the shape of wild animals and tried to force him to leave. As Luke approached, he made prostration and asked for Saint John's blessing. That convinced the ascetic that it was truly his nephew, and not a delusion. He blessed Luke and asked why he had come. The young man told him of his desire to share his way of life, and was permitted to remain. Luke emulated Saint John the Forerunner, who had lived in the wilderness from childhood. could not endure Saint John's holy life of prayer and fasting. Moved by the devil, an acquaintance of Luke's father found him overwhelmed by grief and upset by his son's disappearance, so he said, "Your brother John came by night, took your son, and has him even now. Unless you rescue the boy, he will become food for the wild beasts. Come, and I will show you where he is, and then you can go and take your child." Luke's father heard this, he became furious and cursed his innocent brother. When they came near the place, the acquaintance showed him John's cave from afar and departed. The brother went on and found the Saint. He reproached him, calling him a deceiver and an evil man who had stolen his son. tried to kill the venerable one with a heavy stick and some stones, but Saint John just stood there saying nothing. The father seized the boy and took him from the wilderness, intending to bring him back to the world. The blessed man, knew that the child would fall into the snares of the devil, was overcome with sorrow and tears. Hefell to his knees and prayed: "Lord Jesus Christ, behold the affliction of my heart, and grant me a sign of Thy mercy. Thou hast said, 'Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven' (Matthew 19:24). they had walked a short distance, a snake bit Luke, and at once he died a painless death. The father did not know what to do. He returned to Saint John and repented of his actions. With profound sorrow, he revealed what had happened. Saint John told him to bury the boy and return to his home. The Saint was comforted in his sorrow and he glorified God, because by means of a physical death, He had saved the child from the future death of his soul. Saint John often visited the grave of his righteous nephew, which became his favorite place of solitude. John spent twelve years in the desolate cave, and then he went into the Rila wilderness and settled in the hollow of a tree. He fasted and prayed a great deal, wept incessantly, and ate only grass. Seeing such endurance, God caused beans to grow, which he ate for a long time. The beans and his exploits made him known to people. a flock of frightened sheep ran along the hilly steep paths, and did not stop until the place where the monk lived. The shepherds, following after the flock, with astonishment saw the hermit, who amicably greeted them: “You arrive here hungry. Pick some of my beans and eat.” All ate and were satisfied. One gathered many beans in reserve. Along the way home he offered them to his comrades, but there were no beans in the pilfered pods. The shepherds turned back penitent, and the Elder stood there, saying with a smile: “See, children, these fruits are appointed by God for subsistence in the wilderness.” that time they began to bring to the monk the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits, which he healed by prayer. Fleeing celebrity, the monk went from his beloved tree-hollow and settled on a high and rocky crag difficult of access, where he dwelt for seven years under the open sky. Reports about the great ascetic reached even the Bulgarian king Peter (927-969), who wanted to meet him. Saint John wrote a letter, refusing such a meeting out of humility. on Saint John accepted under him the guidance of monks, who built a monastery with a church in the cave where Saint John formerly lived. He wisely tended his flock and died on August 18, 946 at 70 years of age. years before his end he wrote in his own hand “A Testament to Disciples,” one of the finest creations of Old Bulgarian literature. The holy life of the ascetic and the remarkable mercies of God through his prayers were a fine preaching of the Christian Faith in the newly-baptized Bulgarian land. In the uneasy time of struggle of Bulgaria with Byzantium, under the west Bulgarian king Samuel (976-1014), Saint John appeared to his disciples, commanding them to transfer his relics to Sredets (Sofia), where the Bulgarian Patriarch Damian (927-972) was hiding. It is presumed that the transfer of relics took place in the year 980. later, the right hand of Saint John of Rila was transferred to Russia (presumably to the city of Rila, where a church was constructed in the name of Saint John of Rila, with a chapel dedicated to the martyrs Florus and Laurus, on the day of their commemoration (August 18) on which he died). name of Saint John was known and loved by the Russian people from antiquity. Data about the death of the saint is preserved, especially in Russian sources (the Menaion for August in the twelfth century, in the Mazurinsk Chronicle). the year 1183, the Hungarian king Bela II (1174-1196), during a campaign against the Greeks, seized the chest with the relics of Saint John, together with other booty, and took it to the city of Esztergom. the year 1187, after he embellished the reliquary, he sent back the holy relics with great honor. On October 19, 1238 the relics of Saint John were solemnly transferred to the new capital, Trnovo, and put in a church dedicated to the saint. On July 1, 1469 the holy relics of Saint John of Rila were returned to the Rila monastery, where they rest to the present day, granting grace-filled help to all the believers.

Bulgaria, 931-967, Peter the King of Bulgaria, Christian piety, w John of Rila Monastery
Bulgaria, 931-967, Blessed Peter the King of Bulgaria, Christian piety, John of Rila Monastery, advantageous peace w Byzantium, autonomy of Bulgarian Church, extripation of Bogomil heresy; Rila Monastery ; Blessed Peter the King of Bulgaria, Commemorated January 30 ; Peter, King of Bulgaria, was the son of the militant Bulgarian prince Simeon. Saint Peter was distinguished for his Christian piety, and he often turned to Saint John of Rila (August 18, October 19), asking his prayers, spiritual guidance and advice. Peter concluded peace with Byzantium on terms advantageous for Bulgaria. He also gained recognition from the Patriarch of Constantinople for the autonomy of the Bulgarian Church, and the affirmation of a Patriarchal throne in Bulgaria, benefiting all the Bulgarian Church. Peter aided in the successful extirpation of the Bogomil heresy in his lands. He died in the year 967, at fifty-six years of age.

Bulgaria, 969-971, Tsar. Boris II, hostage, lost Thrace to B, fought Sviaslav of Kiev
Bulgarian Tsar, 969-971. Boris II of Bulgaria ; II was emperor (tsar) of Bulgaria from 969 to 977 (in Byzantine captivity from 971). Boris II was the eldest surviving son of Emperor Peter I of Bulgaria and Maria (renamed Eirene) Lekapena, a granddaughter of Emperor Romanos I Lekapenos of Byzantium. Boris had been born by 931, when he had visited Constantinople together with his mother. Nothing else is known of Boris II's life until 968, when he went to Constantinople again to negotiate a peace settlement with Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas, and apparently to serve as an honorary hostage. This arrangement was intended to put an end to the conflict between Bulgaria and Byzantium, who would now join forces against Prince Sviatoslav I of Kiev, whom the Byzantine emperor had pitted against the Bulgarians. In 969 a new Kievan invasion defeated the Bulgarians again and Peter I abdicated to become a monk. In circumstances that are not entirely clear, Boris II was allowed to return to Bulgaria and sit on his father's throne. (The later Byzantine chronicle of John Skylitzes confounds this with a later event, in which Boris and his brother escaped Constantinople after the so-called rebellion of the Kometopouloi in Macedonia.) The Byzantine emperor John Tzimisces returns in triumph in Constantinople with the captured Boris II and Preslav Icon Boris II was unable to stem the Kievan advance, and found himself forced to accept Sviatoslav of Kiev as his ally and puppet-master, turning against the Byzantines. A Kievan campaign into Byzantine Thrace was defeated at the Battle of Arkadioupolis in 970, and the new Byzantine Emperor John I Tzimiskes advanced northwards. Failing to secure the defense of the Balkan passes, Sviatoslav allowed the Byzantines to penetrate into Moesia and lay siege to the Bulgarian capital Preslav. Although Bulgarians and Ruses joined in defending the city, the Byzantines managed to set afire the wooden structures and roofs by missiles, and took the fortress. Boris II now became a captive of John I Tzimiskes, who continued to pursue the Kievan Army, besieging Sviatoslav in DrÄƒstÄƒr (Silistra), while claiming to act as Boris' ally and protector, and treating the Bulgarian monarch with due respect. After Sviatoslav had come to terms and set out for Kiev, the Byzantine emperor returned to Constantinople in triumph. Far from liberating Bulgaria as he had claimed, John brought along Boris II and his family, together with the contents of the Bulgarian imperial treasury in 971. In a public ceremony in Constantinople, Boris II was ritually divested of his imperial insignia and was given the Byzantine court title of magistros as compensation. The Bulgarian lands in Thrace and lower Moesia now became part of the Byzantine Empire and were placed under Byzantine governors. Although the ceremony in 971 had been intended as a symbolic termination of the Bulgarian empire, the Byzantines were unable to assert their control over the western provinces of Bulgaria. These remained under the rule of their own governors, and especially of a noble family led by four brothers called the Kometopouloi (i.e., "the sons of the Count"), named David, Moses, Aron, and Samuel. The movement was regarded as a "revolt" by the Byzantine emperor, but it apparently saw itself as a sort of regency for the captive Boris II. As they began to raid neighboring territories under Byzantine rule, the Byzantine government resorted to a stratagem intended to compromise the leadership of this "revolt". This involved allowing Boris II and his brother Roman to escape from their honorary captivity at the Byzantine court, in the hope that their arrival in Bulgaria would cause a division between the Kometopouloi and other Bulgarian leaders. As Boris II and Roman entered the region under Bulgarian control in 977, Boris II dismounted and went ahead of his brother. Mistaken for a Byzantine notable due to his attire, Boris was shot in the chest by a deaf and mute border patrol. Roman managed to identify himself to the other guards and was duly accepted as emperor. Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18;

Bulgaria, 971-997, Tsar, Roman of Bulgaria, B hostage, Sviatoslav and Tzimiskes pawn, castrated
toBulgarian Tsar, 971-997, Roman of Bulgaria; ( 930s-“997) was emperor (tsar) of Bulgaria from 977 to 991, being in Byzantine captivity thereafter still claiming the title. Reign[edit] Roman was the second surviving son of Emperor Peter I of Bulgaria by his marriage with Maria (renamed Eirene) Lekapene, the granddaughter of the Byzantine Emperor Romanos I Lekapenos.[1] It is possible that he had the double name Roman-Simeon, but this may be due to confusion with another man in the sources. He was born around 930, and had probably visited Constantinople with his mother and older brothers soon after 931. We know nothing about Roman’s life until 968, when he joined his older brother Boris in Constantinople to negotiate a peace agreement between Bulgaria and Byzantium, during which they apparently served as honorary hostages at the Byzantine court. On their father’s abdication in 969, Boris and Roman returned to Bulgaria, where Boris II succeeded as emperor. Roman may have been proclaimed co-emperor in accordance with Byzantine usage, but the evidence for that is vague. In Bulgaria Roman probably shared his brother’s destiny, becoming first a pawn in the hands of Prince Sviatoslav I of Kiev and then in those of the Byzantine Emperor John I Tzimiskes. After the latter’s victory in 971, Roman was taken to Constantinople together with his brother’s family. To ensure that the Bulgarian dynasty would die out (Boris II apparently had only daughters), the Byzantine emperor had Roman castrated.[2] Boris and Roman remained in honorary captivity at the imperial palace until after the death of the emperor in 976. At this point the raids of the Cometopuli into Byzantine possessions in Macedonia led to a Byzantine stratagem intended to divide the leadership of the still-unconquered Bulgarian lands in the west. Temporarily jailed, Boris and Roman were allowed to escape in 977. During their attempt to cross the Bulgarian border, Boris II was taken for an enemy and killed by a guard. Roman managed to identify himself to the Bulgarian patrols, and was duly recognized by the Bulgarians as emperor. Although Roman was acknowledged as the official Bulgarian ruler, most of the military matters were left in the hands of Samuil, who was the youngest brother of the Cometopuli dynasty, and Roman devoted to church deeds similar to his father Peter in his end of life. During one of his invasions of Bulgaria, the Byzantine Emperor Basil II succeeded in capturing Roman in 991. Roman remained in Byzantine captivity until his death in 997, and it was only then that Samuel took the Bulgarian imperial title. Such, at least, is the sequence of events reported by the trustworthy historian Yahya of Antioch. According to the later testimony of the Byzantine chronicler John Skylitzes, in 1004 Skopje was surrendered to Basil II by its governor Roman Simeon, who may have been mistaken for Emperor Roman in the text. Roman-Simeon received the title of patrikios and was named military governor or strategos of the theme of Abydos.' Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18;

Bulgaria, 976-1025, Byzantium Emperor, Basil II, Bulgar Slayer, with Rus over First B Empire and Georgia
Byzantine Emperor, 976-1025, Basil II ; II Porphyrogenitus (c.958 -“ 15 December 1025), nicknamed the Bulgar Slayer [note 3] was the senior Byzantine Emperor for almost 50 years (10 January 976 -“ 15 December 1025), having been a junior colleague to other emperors since 960. He and his brother Constantine[note 4] were named as co-rulers before their father Romanos II died in 963. The throne went to two generals, Nikephoros Phokas (r. 963-“969) then John Tzimiskes (r. 969-“976), before Basil became senior emperor. His influential great-uncle Basil Lekapenos was the de facto ruler of the Byzantine Empire until 985.[note 5] Basil II then held power for forty years. early years of Basil's reign were dominated by civil wars against two powerful generals from the Anatolian aristocracy; first Bardas Skleros and later Bardas Phokas, which ended shortly after Phokas' death and Skleros' submission in 989. then oversaw the stabilization and expansion of the eastern frontier of the Byzantine Empire and the complete subjugation of the First Bulgarian Empire, its foremost European foe, after a prolonged struggle. Although the Byzantine Empire had made a truce with the Fatimid Caliphate in 987-“988, Basil led a campaign against the Caliphate that ended with another truce in 1000. He also conducted a campaign against the Khazar Khaganate that gained the Byzantine Empire part of Crimea and a series of successful campaigns against the Kingdom of Georgia. near-constant warfare, Basil distinguished himself as an administrator, reducing the power of the great land-owning families who dominated the Empire's administration and military, filling its treasury, and leaving it with its greatest expanse in four centuries. his successors were largely incapable rulers, the Empire flourished for decades after Basil's death. One of the most important decisions taken during his reign was to offer the hand of his sister Anna Porphyrogenita to Vladimir I of Kiev in exchange for military support, thus forming the Byzantine military unit known as the Varangian Guard. marriage of Anna and Vladimir led to the Christianization of the Kievan Rus' and the incorporation of later successor states of Kievan Rus' within the Byzantine cultural and religious tradition. Basil is seen as a Greek national hero but as a despised figure among Bulgarians. Venerable Lazarus the Wonderworker of Mt. Galesius Near Ephesus, Commemorated on November 7; Icon of the Mother of God œthe MercifulÂ, Commemorated on November 12; Venerable George the Scribe, of Khakhuli, Commemorated on December 19; Icon of the Mother of God œthe MercifulÂ, Commemorated on December 27; Venerable Philotheus the Founder of Philotheou Monastery of Mt Athos, Commemorated on January 24; Icon of the Mother of God œIveronÂ, Commemorated on February 12; Martyr Luke of Jerusalem, the Georgian, Commemorated on February 12; Martyr Nicholas Dvali in Jerusalem, Commemorated on February 12; Venerable Simeon the New Theologian, Commemorated on March 12; Venerable George of Mt. Athos, the Builder, Commemorated on July 28;

Bulgaria, 990, Prochorus the Abbot, Vranski Desert, Bransk wilderness, founded a monastery, great ascetic, relics miracles
Bulgaria, 990, Prochorus the Abbot, Vranski Desert, Bransk wilderness (Pshina River 1), founded a monastery, great ascetic, relics miracles; Vranski Desert, Bransk wilderness (Pshina River 1) St. Prochorus the Abbot in the Vranski Desert on the River Pshina in Bulgaria, Commemorated on January 15; Prochorus of Pshina pursued asceticism in the Bransk wilderness at the River Pshina, and he founded a monastery there. is renowned as one of the great ascetics of monastic life. He died at the end of the tenth century. Miracles occurred from the saint’s relics. According to the Serbian Chronicles, the pious King Milutin (1276-1320) built a church in honor of Saint Prochorus.

Bulgaria, 997-1014, Tsar, Samuel, Orthodox, constant warfare against Byzantium, and ambitious Basil II
Bulgarian Tsar, 997-1014, Samuel of Bulgaria; was the Tsar (Emperor) of the First Bulgarian Empire from 997 to 6 October 1014.[5] 977 to 997, he was a general under Roman I of Bulgaria,[6] the second surviving son of Emperor Peter I of Bulgaria, and co-ruled with him, as Roman bestowed upon him the command of the army and the effective royal authority.[7] As Samuel struggled to preserve his country's independence from the Byzantine Empire, his rule was characterized by constant warfare against the Byzantines and their equally ambitious ruler Basil II. his early years Samuel managed to inflict several major defeats on the Byzantines and to launch offensive campaigns into their territory.[8] In the late 10th century, the Bulgarian armies conquered the Serb principality of Duklja[9] and led campaigns against the Kingdoms of Croatia and Hungary. But from 1001, he was forced mainly to defend the Empire against the superior Byzantine armies. Samuel died of a heart attack on 6 October 1014, two months after the catastrophic battle of Kleidion. His successors failed to organize a resistance, and in 1018, four years after Samuel's death, the country capitulated, ending the five decades-long Byzantine–Bulgarian conflict.[10] was considered "invincible in power and unsurpassable in strength".[11][12] Similar comments were made even in Constantinople, where John Kyriotes penned a poem offering a punning comparison between the Bulgarian Emperor and Halley's comet, which appeared in 989.[13][14] During Samuel's reign, Bulgaria gained control of most of the Balkans (with the notable exception of Thrace) as far as southern Greece. He moved the capital from Skopje to Ohrid,[8][15] which had been the cultural and military centre of southwestern Bulgaria since Boris I's rule,[16] and made the city the seat of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. Because of this, his realm is sometimes called the Western Bulgarian Empire.[17][18] Samuel's energetic reign restored Bulgarian might on the Balkans, and although the Empire was disestablished after his death, he is regarded as a heroic ruler in Bulgaria.[19][20] Samuel is considered also a heroic ruler in today North Macedonia[21] (see the section Nomenclature). Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18; St John-Vladimir the Prince of Bulgaria, the Greatmartyr and Miracle-worker, Commemorated on May 22;

Bulgaria, 1015-1018, Tsar, John-Vladislav, Murderer, lost empire to Byzantium
Bulgaria, 1015-1018, Tsar, John-Vladislav; Vladislav ruled as emperor (tsar) of Bulgaria from August or September 1015 to February 1018. The year of his birth is unknown; he was born at least a decade before 987, but probably not much earlier than that. Saved from death by his cousin Gavril Radomir, the Bulgarian Emperor, in 976, Ivan Vladislav murdered him in October 1015 and seized the Bulgarian throne. Due to the desperate situation of the country following the decades-long war with the Byzantine Empire, and in an attempt to consolidate his position, he tried to negotiate truce with the Byzantine emperor Basil II. After the failure of the negotiations he continued the resistance, attempting unsuccessfully to push the Byzantines back. During his period of rule, Ivan Vladislav tried to strengthen the Bulgarian army, reconstructed many Bulgarian fortresses and even carried out a counter-offensive, but he died at the Battle of Dyrrhachium in 1018. After his death his widow, Empress Maria, the Patriarch and most of the nobility finally surrendered to Basil II, who soon suppressed the last remnants of resistance and brought about the end of the First Bulgarian Empire. Ivan Vladislav left a mixed heritage, varying from a reputation of being a ruthless murderer to a hero defending his country as well as he could. The descendants of Ivan Vladislav entered the Byzantine nobility and rose to the highest ranks of the hierarchy. Two women of his family became empresses of the Byzantine Empire and others became military commanders or high-ranking officials. He was an ancestor of the Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos. Bulgarian Tsar, 997-1014, Samuel of Bulgaria; St John-Vladimir the Prince of Bulgaria, the Greatmartyr and Miracle-worker, Commemorated on May 22;

Bulgaria, 1018-1185, Folder, Controlled by Byzantium

Bulgaria, 1000-1016, Prince, John-Vladimir, Serbian Prince murdered by John-Vladislav
Bulgaria, 1000-1016, Prince, John-Vladimir, Serbian Prince murdered by John-Vladislav; Vladimir or John Vladimir ([a] c. 990 - 22 May 1016) was the ruler of Duklja, the most powerful Serbian principality of the time,[1] from around 1000 to 1016. ruled during the protracted war between the Byzantine Empire and the Bulgarian Empire. Vladimir was acknowledged as a pious, just, and peaceful ruler. He is recognized as a martyr and saint, with his feast day being celebrated on 22 May.[b] Vladimir had a close relationship with Byzantium but this did not save Duklja from the expansionist Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria, who conquered the principality around 1010 and took Vladimir prisoner. medieval chronicle asserts that Samuel's daughter, Theodora Kosara, fell in love with Vladimir and begged her father for his hand. The tsar allowed the marriage and returned Duklja to Vladimir, who ruled as his vassal. Vladimir took no part in his father-in-law's war efforts. The warfare culminated with Tsar Samuel's defeat by the Byzantines in 1014 and death soon after. 1016, Vladimir fell victim to a plot by Ivan Vladislav, the last ruler of the First Bulgarian Empire. He was beheaded in front of a church in Prespa, the empire's capital, and was buried there. was soon recognized as a martyr and saint. His widow, Kosara, reburied him in the Precista Krajinska Church, near his court in southeastern Duklja. 1381, his remains were preserved in the Church of St Jovan Vladimir near Elbasan, and since 1995 they have been kept in the Orthodox cathedral of Tirana, Albania. saint's remains are considered Christian relics, and attract many believers, especially on his feast day, when the relics are taken to the church near Elbasan for a celebration. cross Vladimir held when he was beheaded is also regarded as a relic. Traditionally under the care of the AndroviÄ‡ family from the village of Velji MikuliÄ‡i in southeastern Montenegro, the cross is only shown to believers on the Feast of Pentecost, when it is carried in a procession to the summit of Mount Rumija. Vladimir is regarded as the first Serbian saint and the patron saint of the town of Bar in Montenegro. earliest, lost hagiography was probably written sometime between 1075 and 1089; a shortened version, written in Latin, is preserved in the Chronicle of the Priest of Duklja. His hagiographies in Greek and Church Slavonic were first published, respectively, in 1690 and 1802. The saint is classically depicted in icons as a monarch wearing a crown and regal clothes, with a cross in his right hand and his own head in his left hand. He is fabled to have carried his severed head to his place of burial. Bulgaria, 1015-1018, Tsar, John-Vladislav; Vladislav ruled as emperor (tsar) of Bulgaria from August or September 1015 to February 1018. The year of his birth is unknown; he was born at least a decade before 987, but probably not much earlier than that. from death by his cousin Gavril Radomir, the Bulgarian Emperor, in 976, Ivan Vladislav murdered him in October 1015 and seized the Bulgarian throne. to the desperate situation of the country following the decades-long war with the Byzantine Empire, and in an attempt to consolidate his position, he tried to negotiate truce with the Byzantine emperor Basil II. the failure of the negotiations he continued the resistance, attempting unsuccessfully to push the Byzantines back. During his period of rule, Ivan Vladislav tried to strengthen the Bulgarian army, reconstructed many Bulgarian fortresses and even carried out a counter-offensive, but he died at the Battle of Dyrrhachium in 1018. his death his widow, Empress Maria, the Patriarch and most of the nobility finally surrendered to Basil II, who soon suppressed the last remnants of resistance and brought about the end of the First Bulgarian Empire. Vladislav left a mixed heritage, varying from a reputation of being a ruthless murderer to a hero defending his country as well as he could. The descendants of Ivan Vladislav entered the Byzantine nobility and rose to the highest ranks of the hierarchy. women of his family became empresses of the Byzantine Empire and others became military commanders or high-ranking officials. He was an ancestor of the Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos. Bulgarian Tsar, 997-1014, Samuel of Bulgaria; St John-Vladimir the Prince of Bulgaria, the Greatmartyr and Miracle-worker, Commemorated on May 22; Holy Martyr John-Vladimir, a Serbian prince, was born in the tenth century. From his childhood he was raised in piety, and at maturity he wisely governed his holdings Illyria and Dalmatia, preserving the holy Faith in purity. noble prince was married to Kosara, a daughter of the Bulgarian Tsar Samuel. Summoned for talks with the Bulgarian Tsar John-Vladislav, he was treacherously murdered by the Tsar on May 22, 1015, at the entrance to a church. Kosara, the pious spouse of the holy prince, entered a women’s monastery that she built, and where also she died, not leaving the church until the very end of her life. The relics of the holy prince are located near Elbosan.

Bulgaria, 1015-1018, Tsar, John-Vladislav, Murderer, mixed heritage, defended his country
Bulgaria, 1015-1018, Tsar, John-Vladislav; Vladislav ruled as emperor (tsar) of Bulgaria from August or September 1015 to February 1018. The year of his birth is unknown; he was born at least a decade before 987, but probably not much earlier than that. from death by his cousin Gavril Radomir, the Bulgarian Emperor, in 976, Ivan Vladislav murdered him in October 1015 and seized the Bulgarian throne. to the desperate situation of the country following the decades-long war with the Byzantine Empire, and in an attempt to consolidate his position, he tried to negotiate truce with the Byzantine emperor Basil II. the failure of the negotiations he continued the resistance, attempting unsuccessfully to push the Byzantines back. During his period of rule, Ivan Vladislav tried to strengthen the Bulgarian army, reconstructed many Bulgarian fortresses and even carried out a counter-offensive, but he died at the Battle of Dyrrhachium in 1018. his death his widow, Empress Maria, the Patriarch and most of the nobility finally surrendered to Basil II, who soon suppressed the last remnants of resistance and brought about the end of the First Bulgarian Empire. Vladislav left a mixed heritage, varying from a reputation of being a ruthless murderer to a hero defending his country as well as he could. The descendants of Ivan Vladislav entered the Byzantine nobility and rose to the highest ranks of the hierarchy. women of his family became empresses of the Byzantine Empire and others became military commanders or high-ranking officials. He was an ancestor of the Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos. Bulgarian Tsar, 997-1014, Samuel of Bulgaria; St John-Vladimir the Prince of Bulgaria, the Greatmartyr and Miracle-worker, Commemorated on May 22; Holy Martyr John-Vladimir, a Serbian prince, was born in the tenth century. From his childhood he was raised in piety, and at maturity he wisely governed his holdings Illyria and Dalmatia, preserving the holy Faith in purity. noble prince was married to Kosara, a daughter of the Bulgarian Tsar Samuel. Summoned for talks with the Bulgarian Tsar John-Vladislav, he was treacherously murdered by the Tsar on May 22, 1015, at the entrance to a church. Kosara, the pious spouse of the holy prince, entered a women’s monastery that she built, and where also she died, not leaving the church until the very end of her life. The relics of the holy prince are located near Elbosan.

Bulgaria, 1185-1422, Folder, Second Bulgarian Empire

Bulgaria, 1185-1199, 12th Century Folder, 2nd Bulgarian Empire Begins

Bulgaria, 1197-1207, Emperor, Kaloyan, w R Pope, expansionist, took advantage of Fall of C against Latins
Bulgarian Emperor, 1197-1207, Kaloyan of Bulgaria; also known as Kalojan, Johannitsa or Ioannitsa (c. 1170 – October 1207) was Tsar of Bulgaria from 1196 to 1207. was a younger brother of Theodor and Asen who led the anti-Byzantine uprising of the Bulgarians and Vlachs in 1185. uprising ended with the restoration of the independence of Bulgaria. spent years as a hostage in Constantinople in the late 1180s. (who had been crowned emperor under the name Peter) made him his co-ruler after Asen was murdered in 1196. A year later, was also assassinated, and Kaloyan became the sole ruler of Bulgaria. obtain an imperial crown from the Holy See, Kaloyan entered into correspondence with Pope Innocent III, offering to acknowledge papal His expansionist policy brought him into conflict with the Byzantine Empire, Serbia and Hungary. King of Hungary allowed the papal legate who delivered a royal crown to Kaloyan to enter Bulgaria only at the Pope's demand. The legate crowned Kaloyan "King of the Bulgarians and Vlachs" on 8 November 1204, but Kaloyan continued to regard his realm as an empire. took advantage of the disintegration of the Byzantine Empire after the fall of Constantinople to the Crusaders (or "Latins") in 1204. captured fortresses in Macedonia and Thrace and supported the local population's riots against the crusaders. He defeated Baldwin I, Latin emperor of Constantinople, in the Battle of Adrianople on 14 April 1205. Baldwin was captured; he died in Kaloyan's prison. launched new campaigns against the crusaders and captured or destroyed dozens of their fortresses. He was thereafter known as Kaloyan the Romanslayer, because his troops murdered or captured thousands of Byzantines. He died under mysterious circumstances during the siege of Thessalonica in 1207. Translation of the relics of St Hilarion the Bishop of Meglin in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 21; St Philothea of Thrace, the Protectress of Romania, Commemorated on December 7;

Bulgaria, 1200, 13th Century Folder, 2nd Bulgarian Empire Thrives

Bulgaria, 1204, Sack of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade, led to several Empires
Constantinople, 1204, Sack of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade Byzantine Emperor, 1205-1215, Michael I Komnenos Doukas; Greatmartyr Marina (Margaret) of Antioch in Pisidia, Commemorated on July 17; Translation of the relics of St Hilarion the Bishop of Meglin in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 21;

Bulgaria, 1204-1261, Latin Empire Constantinople, Crusader State
Constantinople, 1204-1261, Latin Empire, Crusader State; The Latin Empire, also referred to as the Latin Empire of Constantinople, was a feudal Crusader state founded by the leaders of the Fourth Crusade on lands captured from the Byzantine Empire. The Latin Empire was intended to replace the Byzantine Empire as the Western-recognized Roman Empire in the east, with a Catholic emperor enthroned in place of the Eastern Orthodox Roman emperors. The Fourth Crusade had originally been called to retake the Muslim-controlled city of Jerusalem but a sequence of economic and political events culminated in the Crusader army sacking the city of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Originally, the plan had been to restore the deposed Byzantine Emperor Isaac II Angelos, who had been usurped by Alexios III Angelos, to the throne. The crusaders had been promised financial and military aid by Isaac's son Alexios, with which they had planned to continue to Jerusalem. When the crusaders reached Constantinople the situation quickly turned volatile and while Isaac and Alexios briefly ruled, the crusaders did not receive the payment they had hoped for. In April 1204, they captured and plundered the city's enormous wealth. The crusaders selected their own emperor from among their own ranks, Baldwin of Flanders, and divided the territory of the Byzantine Empire into various new vassal crusader states. The Latin Empire's authority was immediately challenged by Byzantine rump states led by the Laskaris family (connected to the Angelos dynasty of 1185-“1204) in Nicaea and the Komnenos family (which had ruled as Byzantine Emperors 1081-“1185) in Trebizond. From 1224 to 1242 the Komnenos Doukas family, also connected to the Angeloi, challenged Latin authority from Thessalonica. The Latin Empire failed to attain political or economic dominance over the other Latin powers that had been established in former Byzantine territories in the wake of the Fourth Crusade, especially Venice, and after a short initial period of military successes it went into a steady decline due to constant war with Bulgaria to the north and the various Byzantine claimants. Eventually, the Nicaean Empire recovered Constantinople and restored the Byzantine Empire under Michael VIII Palaiologos in 1261. The last Latin emperor, Baldwin II, went into exile, but the imperial title survived, with several pretenders to it, until the 14th century. Like the term "Byzantine Empire", "Latin Empire" was not a contemporary term used by the empire itself or the rest of the world. The Byzantines referred to the Latin Empire as the Frankokratia and the Latin Emperors themselves referred to the empire by various names, commonly imperium Constantinopolitanum (lit. Empire of Constantinople), but also imperium Romaniae (lit. Empire of Romania) and imperium Romanorum (lit. Empire of the Romans). The term Romania ("Land of the Romans") had been used unofficially by the population of the Byzantine Empire for their country for centuries.

Bulgaria, 1207-1218, Emperor, Boril, w Latins&Hungrns, against Ivan Asen II w Thesslnc&Serbia, Asen won
Bulgarian Emperor, 1207-1218, Boril of Bulgaria; (Bulgarian: ) was the emperor (tsar) of Bulgaria from 1207 to 1218. He was the son of an unnamed sister of his predecessor, Kaloyan and Kaloyan's brothers, Peter II and Ivan Asen I, who had restored the independent Bulgarian state. Kaloyan died unexpectedly in October 1207, Boril married his widow, a Cuman princess and seized the throne. cousin, Ivan Asen, fled from Bulgaria, enabling Boril to strengthen his position. His other kinsmen, Strez and Alexius Slav, refused to acknowledge him as the lawful monarch. took possession of the land between the Struma and Vardar rivers with the support of Stefan Nemanja of Serbia. Alexius Slav secured his rule in the Rhodope Mountains with the assistance of Henry, the Latin Emperor of Constantinople. launched unsuccessful military campaigns against the Latin Empire and the Kingdom of Thessalonica during the first years of his reign. convoked the synod of the Bulgarian Church in early 1211. At the assembly, the bishops condemned the Bogomils for heresy. an uprising broke out against him in Vidin between 1211 and 1214, he sought the assistance of Andrew II of Hungary, who sent reinforcements to suppress the rebellion. made peace with the Latin Empire in late 1213 or early 1214. After Henry died in 1216 and Andrew II left Hungary for a crusade, Ivan Asen returned to Bulgaria. He captured and blinded Boril in Tarnovo in St Philothea of Thrace, the Protectress of Romania, Commemorated on December 7;

Bulgaria, 1218-1241, Emperor, Ivan Asen II, blinded Bl, defeated Doucas of Thessa, Via trade, return to Orthodoxy
Bulgaria, 1218-1241, Emperor, Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria ; Asen II, also known as John Asen II or John Asan II (Bulgarian: ; 1190s -May/June 1241), was Emperor (Tsar) of Bulgaria from 1218 to 1241. He was still a child when his father Ivan Asen I “ one of the founders of the Second Bulgarian Empire “ was killed in 1196. His supporters tried to secure the throne for him after his uncle, Kaloyan, was murdered in 1207, but Kaloyan's other nephew, Boril, overcame them. Ivan Asen fled from Bulgaria and settled in the Rus' principalities. Boril could never strengthen his rule which enabled Ivan Asen to muster an army and return to Bulgaria. He captured Tarnovo and blinded Boril in 1218. Initially, he supported the full communion of the Bulgarian Church with the Papacy and concluded alliances with the neighboring Catholic powers, Hungary and the Latin Empire of Constantinople. He tried to achieve the regency for the 11-year-old Latin Emperor, Baldwin II, after 1228, but the Latin aristocrats did not support Ivan Asen. He inflicted a crushing defeat on Theodore Komnenos Doukas of the Empire of Thessalonica, in the Battle of Klokotnitsa in 1230. Theodore's empire soon collapsed and Ivan Asen conquered large territories in Macedonia, Thessaly and Thrace. control of the trade on the Via Egnatia enabled Ivan Asen to implement an ambitious building program in Tarnovo and struck gold coins in his new mint in Ohrid. He started negotiations about the return of the Bulgarian Church to Orthodoxy after the barons of the Latin Em,,pire had elected John of Brienne regent for Baldwin II in 1229. Ivan Asen and the Emperor of Nicaea, John III Vatatzes, concluded an alliance against the Latin Empire at their meeting in 1235. During the same conference, the rank of patriarch was granted to the head of the Bulgarian Church in token of its autocephaly (independence). Ivan Asen and Vatatzes joined their forces in attacking Constantinople, but the former realized that Vatatzes could primarily take advantage of the fall of the Latin Empire and broke off his alliance with Nicaea in 1237. After the Mongols invaded the Pontic steppes, several Cuman groups fled to Bulgaria. Venerable Parasceva (Petka) of Serbia, Commemorated on October 14, Transfer of her relics Translation of the relics of Venerable St John the Abbot of Rila in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 19 ;

Bulgaria, 1241-1246, Emperor, Kaliman I, Mongols invaded, poisoned?
Bulgarian Emperor, 1241-1246, Kaliman I of Bulgaria; Asen I, also known as Coloman Asen I or Koloman (Bulgarian: ÐšÐ°Ð»Ð¸Ð¼Ð°Ð½ ÐÑÐµÐ½ I; 1234-August/September 1246) was Emperor (Tsar) of Bulgaria from 1241 to 1246. He was the son of Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria and Anna Maria of Hungary. He was only seven when he succeeded his father in 1241. In the following years, the Mongols invaded Bulgaria and imposed a yearly tax on the country. He may have been poisoned, according to contemporaneous rumors about his death.

Bulgaria, 1246-1256, Emperor, Michael Asen I, Epirus' Doucas invaded Bulgaria, m by his noblemen
Bulgarian Emperor, 1246-1256, Michael Asen I of Bulgaria; II Asen (Bulgarian: ÐœÐ¸Ñ…Ð°Ð¸Ð» II ÐÑÐµÐ½; c. 1239 – December 1256/January 1257),[a] more accurately[citation needed] Michael Asen I,[citation needed] was Emperor (Tsar) of Bulgaria from 1246 to 1256 or 1257. He was the son of Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria and Irene Komnene Doukaina. He succeeded his half-brother, Kaliman I Asen. His mother or other relative must have ruled Bulgaria during his minority. John III Doukas Vatatzes, Emperor of Nicaea, and Michael II of Epirus invaded Bulgaria shortly after Michael's ascension. Vatatzes captured the Bulgarian fortresses along the river Vardar; Michael of Epirus took possession of western Macedonia. In alliance with the Republic of Ragusa, Michael II Asen broke into Serbia in 1254, but he could not occupy Serbian territories. After Vatatzes died, he reconquered most territories lost to Nicea, but Vatatzes's son and successor, Theodore II Laskaris, launched a successful counter-offensive, forcing Michael to sign a peace treaty. Shortly after the treaty, discontented boyars (noblemen) murdered Michael. St. Sava I, First Archbishop of Serbia, Commemorated on January 14;

Bulgaria, 1256-1256, Emperor, Kaliman Asen II, m cousin hunting, Rostislav to Rus with daughter and emperor title
Bulgarian Emperor, 1256-1256, Kaliman Asen II of Bulgaria; Asen II (Bulgarian: ÐšÐ°Ð»Ð¸Ð¼Ð°Ð½ ÐÑÐµÐ½ II), or commonly, but less accurately Koloman Asen II, ruled as tsar of Bulgaria for a short time in 1256. The year of his birth is unknown. Kaliman Asen II was the son of sebastokrator Alexander, who was the younger brother of Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria. Kaliman Asen II's mother is unknown, and attempts to identify her as a Serbian princess are based on the erroneous identification of Kaliman Asen II with the sebastokrator Kaloyan, who was still alive in 1258/59. In 1256 Kaliman Asen murdered his first cousin Michael Asen I during a hunting party in the environs of the capital TÄƒrnovo and usurped the throne. In the process he married Michael Asen I's widow, the unnamed daughter of Rostislav Mihailovich, but he was unable to maintain himself on the throne. Rostislav advanced on TÄƒrnovo from Belgrade, and Kaliman Asen II fled the capital. Rostislav returned home with his daughter and claiming the title of emperor of Bulgaria, while a brother-in-law of Michael Asen I, Mitso Asen took the throne. In the meantime, Kaliman Asen II had been murdered after being abandoned by most of his supporters.

Bulgaria, 1256-1257, Emperor, Mitso Asen, related to Epirus' Doucas, not Michael Rostislav of Chernigov
Bulgarian Emperor, 1256-1257, Mitso Asen of Bulgaria; Asen (Bulgarian: ÐœÐ¸Ñ†Ð¾ ÐÑÐµÐ½) or Micho Asen (ÐœÐ¸Ñ‡Ð¾ ÐÑÐµÐ½) was the tsar of Bulgaria from 1256 until 1257. Asen ascended the throne by virtue of his marriage to Maria, a daughter of Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria by Irene Komnene of Epirus. The dates of his birth and death are unknown, and his antecedents are unclear, but neither his name (which is found in official contexts and is not the diminutive of "Michael"), nor his career described in the Byzantine sources allow an identification with Michael, the son of the Rus' prince and Hungarian Ban Rostislav Mikhailovich, nor any other member of the house of Chernigov. It is likely that, like his successor Constantine Tikh, Mitso Asen adopted the name Asen after his accession to the throne. He became emperor of Bulgaria after the murder of his wife's cousin, Kaliman Asen II, in 1256. Although he acquired some support in the capital TÄƒrnovo and in Preslav, he was faced by the hostility of much of the provincial nobility. Following an obscure unsuccessful campaign against Theodore II Lascaris of the Empire of Nicaea, Mitso lost control even over the commoners. the nobility proclaimed Constantine Tikh emperor instead, Mitso and his family fled the capital in 1257 and attempted to resist from Preslav and then Mesembria (now NesebÄƒr). In exchange for asylum and lands, he turned over Mesembria and its environs to Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos and sought refuge in Nicaea. He was given lands in the Troad, where he remained with his family. The date of his death is unknown, but it is likely that he was no longer alive in 1277/1278, when his son Ivan Asen III was put forward as a claimant to the Bulgarian throne by the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII.

Bulgaria, 1257-77, Emperor, Konstan Tikh, Sofia noble, Nemanja gson, Tarnovo nobles, Nicea, w Mongols, regent wife o union
Bulgarian Emperor, 1257-1277, Constantine Tikh of Bulgaria; Tih (Bulgarian: ÐšÐ¾Ð½ÑÑ‚Ð°Ð½Ñ‚Ð¸Ð½ Ð¢Ð¸Ñ… ÐÑÐµÐ½; fl. 1257–77) or Constantine I Tikh (ÐšÐ¾Ð½ÑÑ‚Ð°Ð½Ñ‚Ð¸Ð½ I), was the tsar of Bulgaria from 1257 to 1277. life[edit] Tih was a wealthy Bulgarian boyar (or nobleman) whose estates were located in the region of Sofia or Skopje.[1][2] Konstantin stated in his charter to the Saint George Monastery near Skopje that Stefan Nemanja of Serbia was his grandfather.[3] The Byzantine historian, George Pachymeres, described him as a "half-Serbian".[4] He could have been related to the Serbian royal house through either his mother or father.[4] If he was a patrilinear relative of Nemanja, his father, Tih, may have been the son of Nemanja's brother, Tihomir, according to historian Srdjan PirivatriÄ‡.[5] PirivatriÄ‡[6] and other scholars[7][8] also say, Konstantin may have been a son or a nephew of the Bulgarian boyar John Tihomir, who controlled Skopje in the late 12th century. If Konstantin was related to the Serbian royal house through his mother, a daughter or a niece of Nemanja must have been his mother.[9] Tih mounted the Bulgarian throne after the death of Michael II Asen,[10] but the circumstances of his ascension are obscure.[1] Michael Asen was murdered by his cousin, Kaliman in late 1256 or early 1257.[2][1] Before long, Kaliman was also killed, and the male line of the Asen dynasty died out.[2] Mikhailovich, Duke of Macsó (who was Michael and Kaliman's father-in-law), and the boyar Mitso (who was Michael's brother-in-law), laid claim to Bulgaria.[1] Rostislav captured Vidin, Mitso held sway over southeastern Bulgaria, but none of them could secure the support of the boyars who controlled Tarnovo.[11] The latter offered the throne Konstantin who accepted the election.[1] divorced his first wife (whose name is unknown), and married Irene Doukaina Laskarina in 1258.[1] Irene was the daughter of Theodore II Laskaris, Emperor of Nicaea, and Elena of Bulgaria, a daughter of Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria.[1][12] The marriage with a descendant of the Bulgarian royal family strengthened his position.[1][12] He was thereafter called Konstantin Asen.[12] The marriage also forged an alliance between Bulgaria and Nicaea,[10][12] which was confirmed one or two years later, when the Byzantine historian and official George Akropolites came to Tarnovo.[13] with Hungary[edit] Mikhailovich invaded Bulgaria with Hungarian assistance in 1259.[14] In the following year, Rostislav left his duchy to join the campaign of his father-in-law, Béla IV of Hungary, against Bohemia.[14][15] Taking advantage of Rostislav's absence, Konstantin broke into his realm and reoccupied Vidin.[15] He also sent an army to attack the Banate of Severin, but the Hungarian commander, Lawrence, fought the invaders off.[15][14] Bulgarian invasion of Severin outraged Béla IV.[15] Soon after he concluded a peace treaty with Ottokar II of Bohemia in March 1261, Hungarian troops stormed into Bulgaria under the command of Béla IV's son and heir, Stephen.[15] They captured Vidin and besieged Lom on the Lower Danube,[14] but they were unable to bring Konstantin to a pitched battle, because he withdrew to Tarnovo.[15] The Hungarian army left Bulgaria before the end of the year, but the campaign restored northwestern Bulgaria to Rostislav.[15] with the Byzantine Empire[edit] c.1260 minor brother-in-law, John IV Laskaris, was dethroned and blinded by his former guardian and co-ruler, Michael VIII Palaiologos, before the end of 1261.[10] Michael VIII's army had occupied Constantinople already in July, thus the coup made him the sole ruler of the restored Byzantine Empire.[10] The rebirth of the empire changed the traditional relations between the powers of the Balkan Peninsula.[16] Furthermore, Konstantine's wife decided to take vengeance of her brother's mutilation and persuaded Konstantine to turn against Michael.[15][17] who still held southeastern Bulgaria, made an alliance with the Byzantines, but another powerful nobleman, Jacob Svetoslav, who had taken control of the southwestern region, was loyal to Konstantine.[18] Benefiting from a war between the Byzantine Empire, the Republic of Venice, Achaea and Epirus, Konstantine invaded Thrace and captured Stanimaka and Philippopolis (now Asenovgrad and Plovdiv in Bulgaria) in the autumn of 1262.[18][19] Mitso was also forced to flee to Mesembria (now Nesebar in Bulgaria).[20] After Konstantine laid siege to the town, Mitso sought assistance from the Byzantines, offering to surrender Mesembria to them in exchange for landed property in the Byzantine Empire.[21] Michael VIII accepted the offer and sent Michael Glabas Tarchaneiotes to help Mitso in 1263.[20] second Byzantine army stormed into Thrace and recaptured Stanimaka and Philippopolis.[21] After seizing Mesembria from Mitso, Glabas Tarchaneiotes continued his campaign along the Black Sea and occupied Agathopolis, Sozopolis and Anchialos (now Ahtopol, Sozopol and Pomorie in Bulgaria).[20] Meanwhile, the Byzantine fleet took control of Vicina and other ports at the Danube Delta.[21] Glabas Tarchaneiotes attacked Jacob Svetoslav who could only resist with Hungarian assistance, thus he accepted Béla IV's suzerainty.[22][23] a consequence of the war with the Byzantines, by the end of 1263, Bulgaria lost significant territories to his two principal enemies, the Byzantine Empire and Hungary.[24] Konstantin could only seek assistance from the Tatars of the Golden Horde to put an end to his isolation.[24] The Tatar khans had been the overlords of the Bulgarian monarchs for almost two decades, although their rule was only formal.[16] A former Sultan of Rum, Kaykaus II, who had been imprisoned at Michael VIII's order, also wanted to regain his throne with the Tatars' help.[24] One of his uncles was a prominent leader of the Golden Horde and he sent messages to him to persuade the Tatars to invade the Byzantine Empire with Bulgarian assistance.[25] According to the Byzantine historian, Nicephorus Gregoras, Kaykaus also approached Konstantin, offering much money to him if he came to release him.[26] of Tatars crossed the frozen Lower Danube to invade the Byzantine Empire in late 1264.[26][24] Konstantin soon joined them,[27] although he had fallen from a horse and broken his leg.[28] The united Tatar and Bulgarian armies launched a sudden attack against Michael VIII who was returning from Thessaly to Constantinople, but they could not capture the emperor.[29] Konstantin laid siege the Byzantine fortress of Ainos (now Enez in Turkey), forcing the defenders to surrender.[29] The Byzantines also agreed to release Kaykaus (who soon left for the Golden Horde), but his family was kept imprisoned even thereafter.[27][30] Konstantine's alliance with the Tatars strengthened his position.[31] Jacob Svetoslav again accepted his suzerainty.[32][31] Taking advantage of a civil war in Hungary, Jacob Svetoslav also invaded the Banate of Severin.[32][31] The Hungarian civil war ended with the division of the country between Béla IV and Stephen in March 1266.[31] Stephen launched a military campaign against Bulgaria and captured Vidin in June.[31] Konstantin tried to resist, but the Hungarians defeated his army and plundered the region of Tarnovo.[31] The Hungarians captured Pleven and other fortresses on the Danube and forced Jacob Svetoslav to again do homage to Stephen.[33] Thereafter Jacob Svetoslav was styled as "emperor of Bulgaria" in the Hungarian royal charters.[33][32] seal of Konstantin Asen. Inscription in Bulgarian: "+Konstantin, in Christ the God, a faithful tsar and autocrat of the Bulgarians, Asen." I of Anjou and Baldwin II, the dispossessed Latin Emperor of Constantinople, made an alliance against the Byzantine Empire in 1267.[34] To prevent Bulgaria from joining the anti-Byzantine coalition, Michael VIII offered his niece, Maria Palaiologina Kantakouzene, to the widowed Konstantin in 1268.[28] The emperor also pledged that he would return Mesembria and Anchialos to Bulgaria as her dowry if she gave birth to a son.[28][35] married Maria, but Michael VIII broke his promise and did not renounce the two towns after the birth of Konstantin and Maria's son, Michael.[35] Outraged by the emperor's betrayal, Konstantin sent envoys to Charles to Naples in September 1271.[35] The negotiations continued during the following years, showing that Konstantin was willing to support Charles against the Byzantines.[35] Konstantin broke into Thrace in 1271 or 1272, but Michael VIII persuaded Nogai, the dominant figure in the westernmost territory of the Golden Horde, to invade Bulgaria.[28][36] The Tatars plundered the country, forcing Konstantin to return and abandon his claim to the two towns.[28][36] Nogai set up his capital in Isaccea near the Danube Delta, thus he could easily attack Bulgaria.[36] Konstantin had been seriously injured after a riding accident and could not move without assistance, because he was paralyzed from the waist down.[37][38] ambitious wife took control of the government.[39] After Michael VIII's envoys accepted Pope Gregory X's proposal to a church union at the Second Council of Lyon in summer 1274, she became one of the leading opponents of the union.[39][38] She even tried to persuade Baibars, the Mamluk sultan of Egypt, to attack the Byzantine Empire.[40] was also determined to secure the throne to her son.[41] Jacob Svetoslav, however, had a strong claim to succeed Konstantin, because his wife was a granddaughter of Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria.[41] first adopted Jacob Svetoslav to persuade him to acknowledge her son's right to the throne, but later she had him poisoned.[38] He also had other noblemen captured or executed, which made Konstantin's rule unpopular.[41] The paralyzed Konstantin could not prevent Nogai's Tatars from making regular plundering raids against Bulgaria.[42] The local inhabitants of the regions which were most exposed to the Tatar raids had to organize the defense without the monarch's support.[42] to the expensive and unsuccessful wars, repeated Mongol raids, and economic instability (Constantine was the first Bulgarian ruler to mint his own coins on a vast scale), the government was faced with a revolt in The social and economic aspects of this movement have been stressed by Marxist historians,[44] but its true character is elusive. What is clear is that a swineherd or swine-owner named Ivaylo became a leader of the discontented and attracted many (presumably mostly lower-class)[45] followers, asserting his control over a significant area.[46] Constantine set out against Ivaylo with his guard, but was decisively defeated and slain in his chariot.[47][48]

Bulgaria, 1277-1279, Emperor, Ivaylo, pig farmer, peasant uprising
Bulgarian Emperor, 1277-1279, Ivaylo of Bulgaria; also spelled Ivailo, (Bulgarian: Ð˜Ð²Ð°Ð¹Ð»Ð¾), nicknamed Bardokva ("radish" or "lettuce" in Bulgarian) or Lakhanas (Î›Î±Ï‡Î±Î½á¾¶Ï‚, "cabbage") in Greek, was a rebel leader and tsar of Bulgaria.[1] 1277, he spearheaded a peasant uprising and forced the nobles to accept him as emperor. He reigned as emperor from 1278 to 1279, scoring victories against the Byzantines and the Mongols, but beset by foreign and domestic enemies, which included the Bulgarian nobility, he was forced into exile among the Mongols, where he presented himself as a dethroned vassal. --------------------------The Mongols then killed him in 1280 as an enemy of the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaeologus.[2] career as a monarch has been used as an example of early, anti-feudal class warfare by Marxist historians and as translated through folk songs, traditions and legends served as inspiration to Bulgarian guerrilla (hajduk) freedom fighters during the Ottoman period of Bulgarian history.[3] Venerable Cosmas of the Zographou Monastery on Mt. Athos, Commemorated on September 22;

Bulgaria, 1279-1280, Emperor, Ivan Asen III, set up by Michael VIII, Mongol allies, accepted by Tarnovo nobility, coward
Bulgarian Emperor, 1279-1280, Ivan Asen III of Bulgaria; Asen III (Bulgarian: Ð˜Ð²Ð°Ð½ ÐÑÐµÐ½ III, also Ð™Ð¾Ð°Ð½ ÐÑÐµÐ½ III, Ioan Asen III, and in English John Asen III), ruled as tsar of Bulgaria 1279–1280. Ivan Asen III was the son of Mitso Asen of Bulgaria and Maria of Bulgaria, a daughter of Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria and Irene of Thessalonica. He was probably born in about 1259/60, and died in exile in 1303. the rapid success of Ivaylo of Bulgaria, the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos summoned Ivan Asen to his court, granted him the title of despotÄ“s, and married him to his eldest daughter Irene Palaiologina in 1277 or 1278. VIII then sent several Byzantine armies to attempt to assert Ivan Asen III on the throne of Bulgaria. Although Ivailo defeated several of these attempts, he was blockaded for three months in DrÄƒstÄƒr (Silistra) by the Mongol allies of Michael VIII. In the interval a Byzantine force besieged the Bulgarian capital TÄƒrnovo and, hearing a rumor of Ivailo's death in battle, the local nobility surrendered and accepted Ivan Asen III as emperor in 1279. strengthen his position in Tarnovo, Ivan Asen III married his sister Maria (Kira Maria) to the Bulgaro-Cuman nobleman George Terter, but failed to assert himself throughout the country. Ivailo reappeared before the walls of the capital and defeated two Byzantine attempts to relieve Ivan Asen III. Despairing of success, Ivan Asen III and Irene Palaiologina secretly fled Tarnovo with choice treasures from the palace treasury, including pieces captured from defeated Byzantine Emperors in former victories. Reaching Mesembria (NesebÄƒr), the imperial couple sailed for Constantinople, where the enraged Michael VIII refused to receive them for days for their cowardice. 1280 or 1281 Ivan Asen III traveled to the Golden Horde, competing with Ivailo in a bid to win support for restoration in Bulgaria. The Mongol chieftain Nogai Khan eventually had Ivailo murdered, but failed to restore Ivan Asen III in Bulgaria. The latter returned to his family possessions in the Troad, and died in 1303. Venerable Cosmas of the Zographou Monastery on Mt. Athos, Commemorated on September 22;

Bulgaria, 1280-1292, Emperor, George I, continuation of decline
Bulgarian Emperor, 1280-1292, George I of Bulgaria; Terter I (Bulgarian: Ð“ÐµÐ¾Ñ€Ð³Ð¸ Ð¢ÐµÑ€Ñ‚ÐµÑ€ I), of the Terter dynasty ruled as tsar of Bulgaria 1280–1292. The date of his birth is unknown, and he died in 1308/1309. Second Empire. Georgi Terter I, 1280–1292. GroÅ¡ (Silver, 21 mm, 1.45 g, 6 h), Imitating a grosso of Giovanni Dandolo (1280-1289), uncertain mint. IC XC Christ Pantokrator enthroned facing. Rev. S M VENETI D DÎ›NDVL Dux and St. Mark standing facing, holding banner of Venice between them. Raduchev & Zhekov Type 1.17.1. Youroukova & Penchev 160. reign of George Terter I represents a continuation of Bulgaria's precipitous decline during the second half of the 13th century. George Terter I managed to maintain himself on the throne for more than a decade (unlike his two immediate predecessors), he appears to have failed to assert himself against the centrifugal forces even in his own capital. This severely limited any possibility of engaging in grand-scale international politics or even standing up to foreign aggression and Mongol raids. the chaotic years preceding George Terter I's accession Bulgaria had lost all of Thrace to the Byzantine Empire, and under his reign its remaining possessions in Macedonia were divided between the Serbians and the Byzantines in 1282–1284. Venerable Cosmas of the Zographou Monastery on Mt. Athos, Commemorated on September 22;

Bulgaria, 1280-1346, Saint Gregory of Sinai, Hesychast, Writer
Bulgaria, 1280-1346, Saint Gregory of Sinai; Gregory of Sinai (1260s – November 27, 1346) was instrumental in the emergence of "technical" (Athonite) Hesychasm on Athos in the early 14th century. in Smyrna, he was captured by Seljuk Turks as a young man, he was eventually ransomed to Cyprus and became a monk at Saint Catherine's Monastery. Later, he moved to Crete, where he learned the practices of Hesychasm from a monk named Arsenios, in 1310 to Athos, where he remained until 1335. Increasing Muslim raids on Athos pushed Gregory and some disciples into the Bulgarian Empire, where he would find protection under Bulgarian Emperor Ivan Alexander and where he founded a monastery near Paroria, Strandzha mountains in south east Bulgaria. Philokalia includes five works in Greek by Gregory, Commandments and Doctrines, Warnings and Promises; on Thoughts, Passions and Virtues, and also on Stillness and Prayer: 137 Texts Texts the Signs of Grace and Delusion, Written for the Confessor Longinos: Ten Texts Stillness: Fifteen Texts Prayer: Seven Texts Strandzha Mountains; St. Theodosius the Bulgarian, with his disciple Romanos, Commemorated on February 17;

Bulgaria, 1292-1298, Emperor, Smilets, wishes of Nogai Khan, Mongol overlordship, but raids continued
Bulgarian Emperor, 1292-1298, Smilets of Bulgaria; (Bulgarian: Ð¡Ð¼Ð¸Ð»ÐµÑ†) reigned as tsar of Bulgaria from 1292 to 1298. The date of his birth is unknown. Smilec is credited with being descended "from the noblest family of the Bulgarians", his antecedents are completely unknown. Judging by the landholdings of his brothers Radoslav and Vojsil, the family held extensive lands between the Balkan mountains and Sredna Gora. ascending the throne replacing George Terter I in 1292, Smilec had married an unnamed Byzantine princess, the daughter of the sebastokratÅr Constantine Palaiologos, a half-brother of Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos. from the information that Smilec became emperor of Bulgaria according to the wishes of Nogai Khan, we know nothing of the circumstances of Smilec's accession. He was crowned by Patriarch Joachim III. Joachim III was executed for treason in 1300 by emperor Theodore Svetoslav, George Terter I's son, and historian John Van Antwerp Fine Jr. theorizes that the alleged treachery might be linked to the obscure period when Smilets overthrew George Terter I.[1] reign of Smilec has been considered the height of Mongol overlordship in Bulgaria. Nevertheless, Mongol raids may have continued, as in 1297 and 1298. these raids pillaged parts of Thrace (then entirely in Byzantine hands), perhaps Bulgaria was not one of their objectives. In fact, in spite of the usually pro-Byzantine policy of Nogai, Smilec was quickly involved in an unsuccessful war against the Byzantine Empire at the beginning of his reign. 1296/1297 Smilec married his daughter Theodora to the future Serbian King Stefan UroÅ¡ III DeÄanski, and this union produced the Serbian king and later emperor Stefan UroÅ¡ IV DuÅ¡an. 1298 Smilec disappears from the pages of history, apparently after the beginning of Chaka's invasion. He may have been killed by Chaka or died of natural causes while the enemy advanced against him. Smilec was briefly succeeded by his young son Ivan II. Point in Antarctica is named after Smilets of Bulgaria. Venerable Cosmas of the Zographou Monastery on Mt. Athos, Commemorated on September 22;

Bulgaria, 1298-1299, Emperor, Ivan II, regent mother, Serbian alliance attempt, then exile
Bulgarian Emperor, 1298-1299, Ivan II of Bulgaria; II (Bulgarian: Ð˜Ð²Ð°Ð½ II, or Ð™Ð¾Ð°Ð½ II, Ioan II, also styled inconsistently Ivan IV or Ioan IV), reigned as tsar of Bulgaria from 1298 to 1299. The date of his birth is unknown, but probably not much earlier than c. 1290. He died as a monk in exile before 1330. II succeeded his father Smilets as emperor in TÄƒrnovo in 1298. The new ruler was a child, and the government was in the hands of his mother, the unnamed daughter of sebastocrator Constantine Palaiologos and niece of Michael VIII Palaiologos called simply "Smiltsena" ("wife of Smilets"). widowed empress apparently defeated Smilets' brothers Radoslav and Voysil (Vojsil), who sought refuge in the Byzantine Empire and entered into Byzantine service. meet this threat and the invasion of the Mongol prince Chaka, Ivan II's mother sought an alliance with Aldimir (Eltimir), the brother of the former ruler George Terter I. Aldimir was accordingly married to Smilets' daughter Marina (Marija) and, if this had not happened earlier, was given the title of despotÄ“s and invested with an extensive landholding around KrÄƒn. 1299 the Bulgarian government attempted unsuccessfully to make an alliance with Serbian King Stefan Milutin to the exclusion of the latter's projected alignment with the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos. regents of Ivan II were unable to strengthen their position, and abandoned TÄƒrnovo to Chaka, who installed himself as emperor in 1299. II and his retinue settled in the possessions of Aldimir, where they may have remained even after the accession of Aldimir's nephew Theodore Svetoslav to the throne in 1300. In 1305 Ivan II's mother was negotiating with the Byzantine government in Constantinople on behalf of either Aldimir or her son, but with Aldimir's subjugation by Theodore Svetoslav in the same year, the family disappears into obscurity. II spent the remainder of his life as an exile in Byzantium, under the name IÅannÄ“s KomnÄ“nos Doukas Angelos Branas Palaiologos, and shortly before his death he became a monk under the name Joasaph. He died before 1330. Venerable Cosmas of the Zographou Monastery on Mt. Athos, Commemorated on September 22;

Bulgaria, 1299-1300, Emperor, Chaka, son of the Mongol leader Nogai Khan, overlord for b-in-law Theodore Svetoslav
Bulgarian Emperor, 1299-1300, Chaka of Bulgaria; (Bulgarian: Ð§Ð°ÐºÐ°) reigned as tsar of Bulgaria from 1299 to 1300. The date of his birth is unknown. was the son of the Mongol leader Nogai Khan by a wife named Alaka. Sometime after 1285 Chaka married a daughter of George Terter I of Bulgaria, named Elena. In the late 1290s, Chaka supported his father Nogai in a war against the legitimate khan of the Golden Horde Toqta, but Toqta was victorious and defeated and killed Nogai in 1299. about the same time Chaka had led his supporters into Bulgaria, intimidated the regency for Ivan II into fleeing the capital, and imposed himself as ruler in TÄƒrnovo in 1299. It is not completely certain whether he reigned as Emperor of Bulgaria or simply acted as the overlord of his brother-in-law Theodore Svetoslav. He is accepted as a ruler of Bulgaria by Bulgarian historiography. did not long enjoy his new position of power, as the armies of Toqta followed him into Bulgaria and besieged TÄƒrnovo. Theodore Svetoslav, who had been instrumental in assisting Chaka's seizure of power, organized a plot in which Chaka was deposed and strangled in prison in 1300. His head was sent to Toqta, which in turn secured Theodore Svetoslav's position as the new emperor of Bulgaria. It seems that Theodore Svetoslav's cooperation contributed to the withdrawal of Mongol interference in Bulgaria. Venerable Gregory of Sinai, Mt. Athos, Commemorated on August 8; Venerable Cosmas of the Zographou Monastery on Mt. Athos, Commemorated on September 22;

Bulgaria, 1300-1362, 14th Century Folder, 2nd Bulgarian Empire Ends

Bulgaria, 1301-1322, Tsar, Theodor Svetoslav, wise ruler, stability, prosperity, killed traitors r for Mongols
Bulgarian Emperor, 1300-1322, Theodor Svetoslav; Svetoslav (Bulgarian: Ð¢Ð¾Ð´Ð¾Ñ€ Ð¡Ð²ÐµÑ‚Ð¾ÑÐ»Ð°Ð², Todor Svetoslav and also Ð¢ÐµÐ¾Ð´Ð¾Ñ€ Ð¡Ð²ÐµÑ‚Ð¾ÑÐ»Ð°Ð², Teodor Svetoslav) ruled as emperor (tsar) of Bulgaria from 1300 to 1322. The date of his birth is unknown. was a wise and capable ruler who brought stability and relative prosperity to the Bulgarian Empire after two decades of constant Mongol intervention in the internal issues of the Empire. Theodore Svetoslav's reign began with the return of Southern Bessarabia to Bulgaria and a few years later he managed to defeat the Byzantines and retake most of northern Thrace occupied by them during the crisis. After 1307 he led a peaceful policy towards all neighbours, which resulted in expanded trade and economy. from his external and economic successes, Theodore Svetoslav dealt with the separatists among the nobility including his uncle. He persecuted the traitors who he thought were responsible for the Mongol interference and even the Patriarch, Joachim III, was executed. life[edit] Svetoslav was the son of George Terter I by Maria. Soon after the accession of Ivan Asen III in 1279 his father divorced his mother in order to marry the sister of the new emperor. Maria and Theodore Svetoslav were sent to the Byzantine Empire as hostages, and settled in Nicaea. accession of George Terter I to the throne in 1280 did not alter matters, but in 1281 Theodore Svetoslav was betrothed (in absentia) to a daughter of the sebastokratÅr John I Doukas of Thessaly, as part of a diplomatic alliance. The young bride-to-be arrived in TÄƒrnovo, but never met her intended husband. 1284 George Terter I concluded a new treaty with Andronikos II Palaiologos, and retrieved his first wife, while Theodore Svetoslav at first remained a hostage. The same treaty required the breaking off of the alliance with Thessaly and Theodore Svetoslav's intended bride was also sent to Byzantium. It was only in 1285 that the Patriarch of Bulgaria Joakim III arrived in Constantinople and arranged for the release of Theodore Svetoslav, who was now supposed to marry a daughter of the high court official John Synadenos. We have no information whether this marriage materialized. activities[edit] Bulgaria Theodore Svetoslav was associated as co-emperor by his father, who issued coins representing them side by side. Nevertheless, after particularly devastating Mongol raids, George Terter I dispatched his son as hostage to Nogai Khan, the effective leader of the Mongol Golden Horde in about 1289. Perhaps in connection with the same events, Theodore Svetoslav's unnamed sister married Nogai's son Chaka. During part of his exile, Theodore Svetoslav became impoverished and sought to improve his fortunes by marrying the rich Euphrosyne, the god-daughter of Nogai's wife Euphrosyne Palaiologina, who was herself an illegitimate daughter of Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos. Svetoslav left obscurity in 1298 or 1299, when he accompanied his brother-in-law Chaka in an invasion of Bulgaria. The regency for Ivan II fled TÄƒrnovo in 1299, and Theodore Svetoslav helped convince the Bulgarian nobility to accept Chaka as ruler. However, the armies of the khan of the Golden Horde Toqta entered Bulgaria in pursuit of his enemy Chaka, and Theodore Svetoslav promptly organized a plot, deposing Chaka and having him strangled in prison in 1300. Theodore Svetoslav now became emperor of Bulgaria and sent Chaka's severed head as a present to Toqta, who withdrew his armies from the country. of Bulgaria[edit] Bulgarian Empire under Theodore Svetoslav campaign of Theodore Svetoslav (1303-1304) reign of Theodore Svetoslav is connected with the internal stabilization and pacification of the country, the end of Mongol overlordship, the reassertion of relatively effective central control over outlying provinces, and the recovery of portions of Thrace lost to the Byzantine Empire since the wars against Ivaylo of Bulgaria. Svetoslav pursued a ruthless course of action, punishing all who stood in his way, including his former benefactor, Patriarch Joachim III, who was accused of treason and executed. In the face of the new emperor's brutality, some noble factions sought to replace him with other claimants to the throne, backed by Andronikos II. A new claimant appeared in the person of the sebastokratÅr Radoslav Voïsil or Vojsil, from Sredna Gora, a brother of the former emperor Smilets, who was defeated, and captured by Theodore Svetoslav's uncle, the despotÄ“s Aldimir (Eltimir), at KrÄƒn in about 1301. Another pretender was the former emperor Michael Asen II, who unsuccessfully tried to advance into Bulgaria with a Byzantine army in about 1302. Theodore Svetoslav exchanged thirteen high-ranking Byzantine officers captured on Radoslav's defeat for his father George Terter I, whom he settled in a life of luxury in an unidentified city. a consequence of his victories, Theodore Svetoslav felt secure enough to move on to the offensive by 1303 and captured the fortresses of northeastern Thrace, including Mesembria (NesebÄƒr), Anchialos (Pomorie), Sozopolis (Sozopol), and Agathopolis (Ahtopol) in 1304. The Byzantine counterattack failed at the battle of Skafida near Poros (Burgas), where the Co-emperor Michael IX Palaiologos was turned to flight. Nevertheless, the war continued, with Michael IX and Theodore Svetoslav taking turns pillaging each other's lands. In the following 1305 Theodore Svetoslav's uncle Aldimir appears to have entered into negotiations with the Byzantines, and Theodore Svetoslav annexed his uncle's lands. In 1306 Theodore Svetoslav gained the services of the rebellious Alan mercenaries to the Byzantines, whom he settled in Bulgaria, and made unsuccessful overtures to the mercenaries of the Catalan Company, who had also rebelled against their Byzantine employers. The war ended with a peace treaty in 1307, cemented with a marriage between the widowed Theodore Svetoslav and Theodora, a daughter of the Co-emperor Michael IX Palaiologos. copper coin of Theodore Svetoslav. the end of his life Theodore Svetoslav remained at peace with his neighbors. His reassertion of central control over outlying provinces such as Vidin was probably peaceful, and the sparsely documented recovery of the banate of Severin from the Kingdom of Hungary must have been achieved during the dynastic struggles in that country. In 1318 the Serbian King Stefan UroÅ¡ II Milutin visited TÄƒrnovo, in spite of his earlier alliance with Andronikos II and his divorce from Theodore Svetoslav's sister Anna. only possible sign of new hostilities are two Mongol raids into Byzantine Thrace in 1320 and 1321, but these were probably executed with Bulgarian cooperation and are connected with the beginning of the civil war between Andronikos II Palaiologos and his grandson Andronikos III Palaiologos. In fact, Theodore Svetoslav sent military support to his brother-in-law Andronikos III, allegedly hoping to ensnare and capture his ally. a surprisingly successful reign (given the misadventures of his youth), Theodore Svetoslav died in early 1322, and was succeeded by his son George Terter II. Venerable Cosmas of the Zographou Monastery on Mt. Athos, Commemorated on September 22;

Bulgaria, 1322-1323, Tsar, George II, invaded Byzantine Thrace, conquered Philippopolis and Adrianople, then d by Andronikos III
Bulgarian Emperor, 1322-1323, George II of Bulgaria; Terter II reigned as tsar of Bulgaria between 1322 and 1323. The exact date of his birth is unknown, but he was born not long before 1307. Terter II was the son of Theodore Svetoslav and Euphrosyne, and was named after his paternal grandfather George Terter I. is possible that he was associated as co-emperor by his father in 1321, but the sources are unclear. his father's death in 1322, he became actively involved in the civil war in the Byzantine Empire, in which the throne was being contested between Andronikos II Palaiologos and his grandson Andronikos III Palaiologos. advantage of the situation, George Terter II invaded Byzantine Thrace and, encountering little, if any, resistance, conquered the major city of Philippopolis (Plovdiv) and part of the surrounding area in 1322. Bulgarian garrison was installed under the command of a general named Ivan the Russian, and a court scribe praised George Terter II as a "possessor of the Bulgarian and the Greek sceptre". new campaign later the same year brought the subjugation of several fortresses around Adrianople, but the Bulgarians were now turned back and defeated by Andronikos III. Byzantine emperor was preparing for an invasion of Bulgaria, when he heard the news that George Terter II had died, apparently of natural causes. Terter II died as a young man and did not have any known offspring. He was succeeded by his distant cousin Michael Asen III, now commonly called Michael Shishman. Venerable Cosmas of the Zographou Monastery on Mt. Athos, Commemorated on September 22;

Bulgaria, 1323-1330, Tsar, Michael Shishman, aggressive against Byzantines & Serbia, but lost&died at Velbazhd
Bulgarian Emperor, 1323-1330, Michael Shishman of Bulgaria; Asen III,[a] ruled as tsar of Bulgaria from 1323 to 1330. The exact year of his birth is unknown but it was between 1280 and 1292. was the founder of the last ruling dynasty of the Second Bulgarian Empire, the Shishman dynasty. he was crowned, however, Michael used the name Asen to emphasize his connection with the Asen dynasty, the first one to rule over the Second Empire. energetic and ambitious ruler, Michael Shishman led an aggressive but opportunistic and inconsistent foreign policy against the Byzantine Empire and the Kingdom of Serbia, which ended in the disastrous battle of Velbazhd which claimed his own life. was the last medieval Bulgarian ruler who aimed at military and political hegemony of the Bulgarian Empire over the Balkans and the last one who attempted to seize Constantinople. was succeeded by his son Ivan Stephen and later by his nephew Ivan Alexander, who reversed his policy by forming an alliance with Serbia.[1] Venerable Cosmas of the Zographou Monastery on Mt. Athos, Commemorated on September 22;

Bulgaria, 1330-1331, Tsar, Ivan Stephen, 8 mos, deposed in coup by Tarnovo nobles, died in Naples
Bulgarian Emperor, 1330-1331, Ivan Stephen of Bulgaria; Stefan (c. 1300/1301-1373 (?)) ruled as emperor (tsar) of Bulgaria for eight months from 1330 to 1331. was the eldest son of emperor Michael III Shishman and Anna Neda of Serbia, a daughter of King Stefan Uroš II Milutin of Serbia.[1][2] Stephen was a descendant of the Terter dynasty, the Asen dynasty and the Shishman dynasty. his father's ascension to the throne in 1323 Ivan Stefan was associated as co-emperor. Michael III Shishman divorced Anna Neda to marry Theodora Palaiologina, the daughter of Byzantine emperor Michael IX Palaiologos, in 1324, Ivan Stefan was exiled along with his mother and brother in a monastery.[3] the summer of 1330 he became emperor of Bulgaria with the help of his uncle Stephen Decanski. he was deposed in a coup d'état by the Tarnovo nobility, he fled along with Anna Neda in the domains of his father's brother Belaur in Nis and later to Dubrovnik. He was later expelled from there by Stephen Dusan under the pressure of Ivan Alexander. Ivan Stefan probably died in Naples.

Bulgaria, 1331-1371, Tsar, Ivan Alexander, internal external threats, religious renaissamce, divided country two sons
Bulgaria, 1331-1371, Bulgarian Emperor, Tsar Ivan Alexander; Alexander,[2] also sometimes Anglicized as John Alexander,[3] ruled as Emperor (Tsar) of Bulgaria from 1331 to 1371,[4] the Second Bulgarian Empire. The date of his birth is unknown. He died on 17 February 1371. long reign of Ivan Alexander is considered a transitional period in Bulgarian medieval history. Alexander began his rule by dealing with internal problems and external threats from Bulgaria's neighbours, the Byzantine Empire and Serbia, as well as leading his empire into a period of economic recovery and cultural and religious renaissance.[5] the emperor was later unable to cope with the mounting incursions of Ottoman forces, Hungarian invasions from the northwest and the Black Death.[4] an ill-fated attempt to combat these problems, he divided the country between his two sons,[6][7] forcing it to face the imminent Ottoman conquest weakened and divided.[4][7] Venerable Romilus of Ravenica, Commemorated on January 16 ;

Bulgaria, 1346-1353, Black Death in Europe
Bulgaria, 1346-1353, Black Death in Europe ;

Bulgaria, 1351-1430, Joanikije of Devic in Kosovo, wonderworker, solitude silence fasting unceasing prayer
Serbia, 1351-1430, Joanikije of Devic in Kosovo, f Zeta, tChrna Reka (Black River), nIbar River, solitude silence fasting unceasing prayer, people gathered, fled to Drnica & forest of Devic, healed prince's daughter, money for Monastery, miracles after death; Venerable Joannicius of Devic, Commemorated on December 2; Ioannikios (Janićije) was a Serb from Zeta, near the Adriatic Sea. was the son of pious and God-fearing parents, and he lived during the reign of the last medieval Serbian ruler, Prince George Branković (1427-1458). his youth, Saint Ioannikios loved solitude, as an adolescent he left his parents and made his way to eastern Serbia, where he settled in a wooded area called Chrna Reka (Black River), a few miles from the Ibar River. found a narrow cave where, according to Tradition, Saint Peter of Koriša (June 5) had struggled during the XIII century. Ioannikios built a cell and lived there for many years in solitude, fasting, and unceasing prayer. time, people began coming to him from all over Serbia in order to hear his words, and to receive his blessing. Others were drawn to him because they wanted him to guide them in the monastic life. community grew around him, and they built a church near his cell. when people heard about the holiness of his life, he fled to Drnica and hid himself in the thick forest of Devič. again, the Saint lived in solitude, weeping, fasting, struggling with demons, and devoting himself to the unceasing Prayer of the Heart. day Prince George brought his terminally ill daughter to him, and the Saint healed her. Prince wanted to know what he could do to express his gratitude. Ioannikios asked him to built a monastery at Devič and dedicate it to the Entrance of the a Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple (November 21). a holy and God-pleasing life, Saint Ioannikios reposed on December 2, 1430, when he was almost one hundred years old. His grace-filled and wonderworking relics are kept at the monastery. After his death, many miracles have taken place there, and those who entreat him with faith are healed of their sicknesses and afflictions. this monastery there once lived a renowned and godly nun, Sister Euphemia, who is better known in the Kossovo region as Blessed Stoina. She built an Ispostnica (House of Silence) in honor of St. Ioannikios. She fell asleep in the Lord in the year 1895. Ioannikios still performs miracles, just as he did in his lifetime, five hundred years ago. A certain man from Hercegovina, whose name was Miloš wanted to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to venerate the holy places. Just as he was about to embark on his journey, Saint Ioannikios appeared to him in a dream and told him not to go to Jerusalem. "It would be better," the Saint explained, "if you went to Devič and cleaned my church, and put it in order, instead of going to Jerusalem." š followed the Saint's advice and went to the neglected Devič monastery, cleaned it up, restored it, and gave it new life. He became a monk and remained there until the end of his life. the First World War and the Austrian occupation, a Hungarian officer arrived at Devič with some soldiers. He made Igoumen Damaskene take him to the tomb of Saint Ioannikios, and asked him what was under the slab. "It is a holy place," the Igoumen replied. sort of holy place?" the officer asked. "You have some valuables hidden under there, don't you?" officer ordered the soldiers to break the slab with pick axes. As they were completing their task, the officer was stricken with pain in the middle of his body. He lay down on a bed and died before that evening. The terrified soldiers abandoned their work and fled from the monastery. Ioannikios is also commemorated on April 26, the uncovering of his holy relics. Devic Monastery in Kosovo; Devič Monastery (Serbian: Манастир Девич, romanized: Manastir Devič; Albanian: Manastiri i Deviçit) is a Serbian Orthodox abbey in Kosovo[a]. It was built in 1434 and is dedicated to St Joanikije of Devič. Devič was declared Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1990, and it is protected by the Republic of Serbia.

Bulgaria, 1362-1919, Folder, Ottoman Bulgaria, The Turks

Bulgaria, 1362-1399, 14th Century Folder, Turks in Adrianople

Bulgaria, 1362-1919, Ottoman Caliphate, Turks, first based in Adrianople
Ottoman Caliphate, first based in Adrianople, 1362-1919 (The Turks);

Bulgaria, 1363-1389, Murad I, a Turk, c Adrianople, Balkans, made Serbia, Byzantium pay tribute, illiterate, d Lazar at Kosovo
, Ottoman Sultan, 1362-1389, Murad I; I (29 June 1326 - 15 June 1389) was the Ottoman Sultan from 1362 to 1389. He was a son of Orhan Gazi and Nilufer Hatun. Murad I came into the throne after his elder brother Suleyman Pasha's death. I conquered Adrianople, renamed it to Edirne,[2] and in 1363 made it the new capital of the Ottoman Sultanate.[3] Then he further expanded the Ottoman realm in Southern Europe by bringing most of the Balkans under Ottoman rule, and forced the princes of Serbia and Bulgaria as well as the East Roman emperor John V Palaiologos to pay him tribute.[2] Murad I administratively divided his sultanate into the two provinces of Anatolia (Asia Minor) and Rumelia (the Balkans). to the Ottoman sources, Murad I's titles includes Bey, Emir - a zam (Great Emir), Ghazi, Hudavendigar, Khan, Padishah, Sultan-selatin (Sultan of sultans), Melikul-muluk (Malik of maliks), while in Bulgarian and Serbian sources he was referred to as Tsar. In a Genoese document, he was referred to as dominus armiratorum Turchie (Master lord of Turks).[4] I was illiterate and could not even sign his own name. In 1353, Murad I signed a treaty by dipping his hand in ink and impressing it with his finger marks.[5] of the conquests of Murad I century miniature depicting Murad I fought against the powerful beylik of Karaman in Anatolia and against the Serbs, Albanians, Bulgarians and Hungarians in Europe. In particular, a Serb expedition to expel the Turks from Adrianople led by the Serbian brothers King Vukasin and Despot Ugljesia, was defeated on September 26, 1371, by Murad's capable second lieutenant Lala Sahin Pasa, the first governor (beylerbey) of Rumeli. In 1385, Sofia fell to the Ottomans. In 1386 Prince Lazar Hrebeljanovic defeated an Ottoman force at the Battle of Plocnik. The Ottoman army suffered heavy casualties, and was unable to capture Nis on the way back. of Kosovo[edit] of Sultan Murad on Kosovo field of Sultan Murad 1389, Murad's army defeated the Serbian Army and its allies under the leadership of Lazar at the Battle of Kosovo. There are different accounts from different sources about when and how Murad I was assassinated. The contemporary sources mainly noted that the battle took place and that both Prince Lazar and the Sultan lost their lives in the battle. The existing evidence of the additional stories and speculations as to how Murad I died were disseminated and recorded in the 15th century and later, decades after the actual event. One Western source states that during first hours of the battle, Murad I was assassinated by Serbian nobleman and knight MiloÅ¡ ObiliÄ‡ by knife.[6][7] Most Ottoman chroniclers[citation needed] (including Dimitrie Cantemir)[8] state that he was assassinated after the finish of the battle while going around the battlefield. His older son Bayezid, who was in charge of the left wing of the Ottoman forces, took charge after that. His other son, Yakub Bey, who was in charge of the other wing, was called to the Sultan's command center tent by Bayezid, but when Yakub Bey arrived he was strangled, leaving Bayezid as the sole claimant to the throne. a letter from the Florentine senate (written by Coluccio Salutati) to the King Tvrtko I of Bosnia, dated 20 October 1389, Murad I's (and Jakub Bey's) killing was described. A party of twelve Serbian lords slashed their way through the Ottoman lines defending Murad I. One of them, allegedly Milos Obilic, had managed to get through to the Sultan's tent and kill him with sword stabs to the throat and belly.[9][page needed] Murad's internal organs were buried in Kosovo field and remains to this day on a corner of the battlefield in a location called Meshed-i Hudavendigar which has gained a religious significance by the local Muslims. It has been vandalized between 1999–2006 and renovated recently. His other remains were carried to Bursa, his Anatolian capital city, and were buried in a tomb at the complex built in his name.[10] of sultanate[edit] established the sultanate by building up a society and government in the newly conquered city of Adrianople (Edirne in Turkish) and by expanding the realm in Europe, bringing most of the Balkans under Ottoman rule and forcing the Byzantine emperor to pay him tribute. It was Murad who established the former Osmanli tribe into an sultanate. He established the title of sultan in 1363 and the corps of the janissaries and the devÅŸirme recruiting system. He also organised the government of the Divan, the system of timars and timar-holders (timariots) and the military judge, the kazasker. He also established the two provinces of Anadolu (Anatolia) and Rumeli (Europe). was the son of Orhan and the Valide Hatun Nilüfer Hatun, daughter of the Lord of Yarhisar, who was of ethnic Greek descent.[11] St Theodosius the Bulgarian, with his disciple Romanos, Commemorated on February 17; Appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, Commemorated on June 26;

Bulgaria, 1363-1453, Ottoman Empire, Edirne (Adrianople), Bulgaria (the Turks)
Ottoman Empire, Edirne, Bulgaria, 1363-1453 (the Turks); St Stephen of Serbia, "œthe blind one"Â, Commemorated on October 9; Appearance of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, Commemorated on June 26;

Bulgaria, 1371, Battle of Marica, victorious Turks greatly outnumbered by attacking Serbs (4K Turks to 50K Serbs)
Battle of Marica; Long list of Serbian-Turkish Conflicts 1371-1526 Venerable Romilus of Ravenica, Commemorated January 16 ;

Bulgaria, 1371-1395, Tsar, Ivan Shishman, tsar of Tarnovo, central Bulgaria, no Ottoman tribute, or military aid
Bulgarian Emperor, 1371-1395, Ivan Shishman of Bulgaria; Shishman ruled as emperor (tsar) of Bulgaria in Tarnovo from 1371 to 3 June 1395. The authority of Ivan Shishman was limited to the central parts of the Bulgarian Empire. the wake of the death of Ivan Alexander, the Bulgarian Empire was subdivided into three kingdoms among his sons, with Ivan Shishman taking the Tаrnovo Kingdom situated in central Bulgaria and his half brother Ivan Sratsimir holding the Vidin Tsardom. his struggle to repel the Ottomans differentiated him from the other rulers on the Balkans the Serbian despot Stephan Lazarevic who became a loyal vassal to the Ottomans and paid annual tribute and participated in all of the Ottoman campaigns subsequent to the battle of Kosovo, contributing a 5,000 strong contingent of christian knights. Although Ivan Shishman has been categorized as indecisive and inconsistent in his policy in the past, this was done with little regard for an understanding of the context of the conditions and limited resources that this ruler had at his disposal. is notable that Ivan Shishman is the only Balkan ruler for whom there is no evidence of tribute paid to the Ottoman empire or any military aid provided. on historical evidence and the numerous folk songs of the region glorifying his struggle against the Ottoman invaders, the image of Ivan Shishman is one of fierce and concerted resistance to the Ottoman incursions. in 1393 the Ottoman Turks seized the capital Tarnovo. Two years later, Sultan Bayezid I captured Nicopolis with a surprise approach from the north of the fortress after two failed campaigns in Hungary and Wallachia, summoning Ivan Shishman on the false pretense of a discussion and had him executed by beheading. the military and political weakness, during his rule Bulgaria remained a major cultural center and the ideas of Hesychasm dominated the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Patriarch Evtimiy of Tarnovo became the most prominent cultural figure of the country. A number of texts were written or translated and an orthographic reform of the Bulgarian language was issued with synchronised rules. After the fall of Bulgaria, a number of scholars found refuge in the other Orthodox countries and brought the achievements of the Bulgarian culture to them. reign was inextricably connected to the fall of Bulgaria under Ottoman domination. In Bulgarian folklore Ivan Shishman is portrayed as a legendary and heroic ruler who desperately fought against the overwhelming Ottoman forces. There are numerous sites, geographical features and fortresses named after him throughout Bulgaria.

Bulgaria, 1371-1396, Tsar, Ivan Sratsimir, tsar of Vidin, last ruler of medieval Bulgaria
Bulgarian Emperor, 1371-1396, Ivan Sratsimir of Bulgaria; Sratsimir or Ivan Stratsimir was emperor (tsar) of Bulgaria in Vidin from 1356 to 1396. He was born in 1324 or 1325, and he died in or after 1397. being the eldest surviving son of Ivan Alexander, Ivan Sratsimir was disinherited in favour of his half-brother Ivan Shishman and proclaimed himself emperor in Vidin. When the Hungarians attacked and occupied his domains, he received assistance from his father and the invaders were driven away. the death of Ivan Alexander in 1371 Ivan Sratsimir broke off ties with Tarnovo and even placed the archbishop of Vidin under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople to demonstrate his independence. to its geographical position, Vidin was initially safe from attacks by the Ottoman Turks who were ravaging the Balkans to the south and Ivan Sratsimir made no attempts to assist Ivan Shishman in his struggle against the Ottomans. after the fall of Tarnovo in 1393 did his policy become more active and he eventually joined the crusade of the Hungarian king Sigismund. after the disastrous battle of Nicopolis in 1396, the Ottomans marched to Vidin and seized it. Sratsimir was captured and imprisoned in Bursa where he was probably strangled. Although his son Constantine II claimed the title Emperor of Bulgaria and at times controlled some parts of his father's realm, Ivan Sratsimir is generally regarded by historians as the last ruler of medieval Bulgaria. Hill on Trinity Peninsula in Antarctica is named after him.[1]

Bulgaria, 1375, Virgin Martyrs Parthena +2, Edessa, Greece, Turk Seige, defended but P's father hates her and city
Greece, 1375, Virgin Martyrs Parthena, Domnina, and Neollina, Edessa, Macedonia, Greece, story is only about Parthena, E beseiged by Turks, good defense seige lifting, but P's father betrays city for money, he became muslim, he gave her to Turk Pasha, when P not become muslim, father strips her and turns her over to Turks, buried alive, This story fulfills prophecy Christians will be hated by family, but endurance saves.; Edessa, Macedonia, Greece; Virgin Martyrs Neollina, Domnina, and Parthena, Commemorated on January 12; the first Sunday after Theophany (January 7-13), we celebrate the memory of the Virgin Martyrs Neollina, Domnina and Parthena (Νεολλίνα, Δομνίνα, Παρθένα) of Edessa in the Holy Metropolis of Edessa and Pella. is known about Saints Neollina and Domnina, only about Saint Parthena. Holy Virgin Martyr Parthena came from Edessa in Macedonia and was born in the 14th century. Her life was in accord with her virginal name, for she lived ascetically, and with the utmost modesty. the year 1375 Edessa was besieged by the Turks, the residents put up a strong defense, aided and encouraged by Hieromonk Seraphim, the rector of the cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos. enemy was perfectly organized and numerous, but it as it happened, they were preparing to end the siege. the last minute, Peter, one of the city's priests, who was Parthena's father, was paid a large sum of money by the Turkish Pasha, and so he betrayed the city. Turks invaded Edessa on December 26, 1375 from the southeast, where he was on guard, and where one of the major battles for the city took place. its citizens were massacred or sold into slavery; homes were looted, and women were raped. Seraphim was arrested and subjected to severe torments, and then he was drowned in the great waterfall called "Itseri Pasha" (the Pasha's water). traitor Peter, after his heinous act which led to the fall of the city, denied Christ and became a Muslim. if that were not enough, he also gave his daughter Parthena to the Pasha as a concubine, because he was unable to persuade her to deny Christ. hearing her father's words, Saint Parthena, like another Saint Barbara, shuddered, and with spiritual courage she told her wretched father that she would never deny the sweetest name of her heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. of being put to shame and moved to repentance, he became angry and behaved like a wild beast. He beat the Saint until she was bloody and unconscious. he stripped her and handed her over to the Turks. The soldiers tortured her for three days. In the end, she was led up a hillside, where she was buried alive. To this day, the hill is called Parthena's Hill. shocking as the father's conduct may seem, the Savior predicted that such atrocities would take place: "Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by everyone for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:21-22). the prayers of the Holy Virgin Martyr Parthena, may the Lord strengthen us to persevere until the end of our earthly lives, and make us worthy of a small corner of Paradise.

Bulgaria, 1400, 15th Century Folder, Ottoman Empire Begins

Bulgaria, 1405-1463, Isidore of Kiev, Bulgarian, Became Uniate
Russia, Kiev, 1405-1463, Isidore of Kiev, Metropolitan, Became Catholic; Repose of St Jonah the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, Commemorated on March 31 ;

Bulgaria, 1413-1453, Ottoman Empire, Adrianopolis (the Turks)
Ottoman Empire, Adrianopolis, Bulgaria, 1413-1453 (the Turks); St Stephen of Serbia, œthe blind oneÂ, Commemorated on October 9; New Martyr Ephraim, Commemorated on May 5;

Bulgaria, 1421-1444, 1446-1451, Ottoman Empire Sultan, Murat II, economic development, Trade increase, could have invaded Europe
Bulgaria, 1421-1451, Ottoman Empire Sultan, Murat II; II (16 June 1404[1][2] - 3 February 1451) was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1421 to 1444 and again from 1446 to 1451. II's reign was a period of important economic development. Trade increased and Ottoman cities expanded considerably. In 1432, the traveller Bertrandon de la Broquière noted that Ottoman annual revenue had risen to 2,500,000 ducats, and that if Murad II had used all available resources he could easily have invaded Europe.[4] St Stephen of Serbia, œthe blind oneÂ, Commemorated on October 9; Blessed John the King of Serbia and his parents, Commemorated on December 10 ; Blessed Stephen the Prince of Serbia, Commemorated on December 10; St Mark the Archbishop of Ephesus, Commemorated on January 19;

Bulgaria, 1444-1446, 1451-1481, Ottoman Empire, Sultan, Mehmed the Conqueror, Mehmed II, c constantinople at 21
Ottoman Empire Sultan, 1444-1481, Mehmed the Conqueror; II (30 March 1432 - 3 May 1481), commonly known as Mehmed the Conqueror ( lit.The Father of Conquest; Turkish: Fatih Sultan Mehmed), was an Ottoman sultan who ruled from August 1444 to September 1446, and then later from February 1451 to May 1481. In Mehmed II's first reign, he defeated the crusade led by John Hunyadi after the Hungarian incursions into his country broke the conditions of the truce Peace of Szeged. When Mehmed II ascended the throne again in 1451 he strengthened the Ottoman navy and made preparations to attack Constantinople. At the age of 21, he conquered Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) and brought an end to the Byzantine Empire. the conquest Mehmed claimed the title "Caesar" of the Roman Empire, based on the fact that Constantinople had been the seat and capital of the surviving Eastern Roman Empire since its consecration in 330 AD by Emperor Constantine I.[4] The claim was only recognized by the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Nonetheless, Mehmed II viewed the Ottoman state as a continuation of the Roman Empire for the remainder of his life, seeing himself as continuing the Empire rather than replacing it. continued his conquests in Anatolia with its reunification and in Southeast Europe as far west as Bosnia. At home he made many political and social reforms, encouraged the arts and sciences, and by the end of his reign, his rebuilding program had changed Constantinople into a thriving imperial capital. He is considered a hero in modern-day Turkey and parts of the wider Muslim world. Among other things, Istanbul's Fatih district, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and Fatih Mosque are named after him. Venerable Angelina of Serbia, Commemorated on July 30; St Niphon the Patriarch of Constantinople of Mt Athos, Commemorated on August 11; St Stephen of Serbia, œthe blind oneÂ, Commemorated on October 9; Venerable Matrona of Chios, Commemorated on October 20; Blessed John the King of Serbia and his parents, Commemorated on December 10 ; Blessed Stephen the Prince of Serbia, Commemorated on December 10; St Nectarius of Bitel, Commemorated on December 15; Venerable Daniel the Hesychast, Commemorated on December 18; St Maximus the New, Commemorated on January 18; Righteous Theodora, wife of the Emperor Theophilus, the Iconoclast, Commemorated on February 11; New Martyr Raphael of Lesbos, Commemorated on April 9; St Eleni (who was also called Susanna), New martyr of Lesbos, Commemorated on April 9; St Zosimas II of Kumurdo, Commemorated on May 1; St Angelina of Serbia, Commemorated on July 1; Translation of the relics of the Venerable John of Rila from Trnovo to Rila, Commemorated on July 1; St Stephen the Great, Commemorated on July 2;

Bulgaria, 1500, 16th Century Folder, Turks Rule, George of Serbia, Burning of Sava's Relics

Bulgaria, 1595, Burning oSava's Relics, Mileshevo M Serbia, incorrupt, Serb flag icon, r burnt during revolt, inspired Serbia
Bulgaria, 1595, Burning oSava's Relics, Mileshevo Monastery& Trnovo, Bulgaria (Yantra River 2.3), Buried 1235, incorrupt 1237, transferred 1237 tSerbia, 1253 Saint, Turk Rule 1389, his icon on Serb flag, 1595 Serb revolt, R crushed and Relics burnt, Serbs inspired, annual rememberance burning, 1895 church over burning spot, 1989 Cathedral there; Trnovo, Bulgaria (Yantra River 2); The Burning of Saint Sava's relics, Commemorated on April 27; his death in Trnovo, Bulgaria on January 14, 1235 Saint Savva was buried in the Cathedral of the Forty Martyrs. May 6, 1237 his relics were carried in procession from Trnovo to Mileshevo Monastery in Serbia. the casket was opened, the relics were found to be incorrupt, and produced an ineffable fragrance. In 1253, the Serbian Orthodox Church glorified the holy hierarch Savva as a Saint. the Battle of Kosovo on June 25, 1389, the Serbian nation fell under the Turkish Yoke. this period the Serbs continued to visit the tomb of Saint Savva, asking him to give them the strength to endure the oppressive persecution they suffered at the hands of the Turks. icon was placed on their flags, and the faithful turned to the Saint for encouragement, consolation, and healing. Serbs revolted in 1595, led by Patriarch John Kantul and others. Pasha, the Turkish military leader in Belgrade, sent soldiers to crush the rebellion. Mohammed II ordered that the relics of Saint Savva be burnt. Great and Holy Friday, the Turks removed the Saint's relics from Mileshevo Monastery. The next day, April 27, they climbed Savinac Hill in the Vrachar district and set fire to the holy relics. of becoming despondent, the Serbs were inspired to even greater love for Christ, for Holy Orthodoxy, and for Saint Savva. Although the Saint's relics had been destroyed, the people continued to venerate him, and to remember the burning of his relics every year. national independence in 1879, there was a proposal to build a memorial church in honor of Saint Savva. In 1895, the three hundredth anniversary of the burning of Saint Savva's relics, plans were made to build a church on the site where his relics were burnt. A temporary chapel was constructed the following year, but it was not possible to build a large cathedral until after World War I. In 1927, Patriarch Barnabas announced a competition for architects to submit designs for the cathedral. In 1935, architects were chosen and construction began. World War II, work was halted when the Communists seized power. Only in 1984 did Patriarch German receive government approval to resume construction. On June 25, 1989, Patriarch German served the first Divine Liturgy in Saint Savva's Memorial Cathedral, which towers over the city of Belgrade. is a famous Serbian saying: "Sinan Pasha lit the flames, Savva's body burned, but Savva's memory and his glory did not burn."

Bulgaria, 1600-1699, 17th Century Folder, Ottoman Empire, Demetrius of Basarabov

Bulgaria, 1685, Demetrius of Basarabov and Ruschuk, wilderness ascetic, Rusenski Lom River Mouth, Danube River 13
Ruschuk, Bulgaria; St Demetrius of Basarbov in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 26; Demetrius of Basarabov in Bulgaria lived in the wilderness as an ascetic near the city of Ruschuk, Bulgaria. He died in 1685. On July 8, 1779 his relics were transferred to Bucharest.

Bulgaria, 1700, 18th Century Folder, History of Slav Bulgarians

Bulgaria, 1742-1773, Paisius of Hilandar and Bulgaria, Historian, National Awakening
Bulgaria, 1742-1773, Paisius of Hilandar and Bulgaria ; Paisius of Hilendar or Paìsiy Hilendàrski (Bulgarian: Ð¡Ð²ÐµÑ‚Ð¸ ÐŸÐ°Ð¸ÑÐ¸Ð¹ Ð¥Ð¸Ð»ÐµÐ½Ð´Ð°Ñ€ÑÐºÐ¸) (1722–1773) a Bulgarian clergyman and a key Bulgarian National Revival figure. He is most famous for being the author of Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya, the second modern Bulgarian history after the work of Petar Bogdan Bakshev from 1667, "History of Bulgaria".[1] Bulgarians are taught that he was the forefather of the Bulgarian National Revival.[2] was born in the Samokov eparchy of the time. There is a dispute about the exact place of birth, between the town of Bansko[3][4] and villages around Samokov like Relyovo.[5] He established himself in the Hilandar monastery on Mount Athos in 1745, where he was later a hieromonk and deputy-abbot. Collecting materials for two years through hard work and even visiting the Habsburg Monarchy, he finished his Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya in 1762 in the Zograf Monastery. The book was the first attempt to write a complete history of Bulgaria and attempted to awake and strengthen Bulgarian national consciousnesses.[6] most famous part of the whole book is the paragraph: "Oh, you unwise moron! Why are you ashamed to call yourself a Bulgarian and why don't you read and speak in your native language? Weren't Bulgarians powerful and glorious once? Didn't they take taxes from strong Romans and wise Greeks? Out of all the Slavic nations they were the bravest one. Our rulers were the first ones to call themselves kings, the first ones to have patriarchs, the first ones to baptise their people.(...) Why are you ashamed of your great history and your great language and why do you leave it to turn yourselves into Greeks? Why do you think they are any better than you? Well, here you're right because did you see a Greek leave his country and ancestry like you do?" more or less signifies the purpose of the author who speaks about the danger of Bulgarians falling victim to the Hellenization policies of the mainly Greek clergy. These anti-Greek sentiments presented in Paisius writing, characterized the Greeks as some kind of Bulgarian national enemies.[7][8][9] The book's first manual copy was done by Sophronius of Vratsa in 1765. Structurally, Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya consists of two introductions, several chapters that discuss various historic events, a chapter about the "Slavic teachers", the disciples of Cyril and Methodius, a chapter about the Bulgarian saints, and an epilogue. As Paisius toured Bulgaria as a mendicant friar, he brought his work, which was copied and spread among the Bulgarians. He is thought to have died on the way to Mount Athos near Ampelino (modern-day Asenovgrad). page of Istoriya slavyanobulgarska (Slav-Bulgarian History) Peak on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named after Paisiy of Hilendar.[10] saint is portrayed on the obverse of the Bulgarian 2 lev banknote, issued in 1999 and 2005.[11] Bulgaria, 1762, History of the Slav-Bulgarians; Venerable Paisius of Hilandar, Bulgaria, Commemorated on June 19; St. Demetrius, the New Martyr of Sliven, Commemorated on January 30;

Bulgaria, 1762, Paisius' History of the Slav-Bulgarians, National Awakening
Bulgaria, 1762, History of the Slav-Bulgarians; Paisius of Hilendar or Paìsiy Hilendàrski (Bulgarian: Ð¡Ð²ÐµÑ‚Ð¸ ÐŸÐ°Ð¸ÑÐ¸Ð¹ Ð¥Ð¸Ð»ÐµÐ½Ð´Ð°Ñ€ÑÐºÐ¸) (1722–1773) a Bulgarian clergyman and a key Bulgarian National Revival figure. He is most famous for being the author of Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya, the second modern Bulgarian history after the work of Petar Bogdan Bakshev from 1667, "History of Bulgaria".[1] Bulgarians are taught that he was the forefather of the Bulgarian National Revival.[2] was born in the Samokov eparchy of the time. There is a dispute about the exact place of birth, between the town of Bansko[3][4] and villages around Samokov like Relyovo.[5] He established himself in the Hilandar monastery on Mount Athos in 1745, where he was later a hieromonk and deputy-abbot. Collecting materials for two years through hard work and even visiting the Habsburg Monarchy, he finished his Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya in 1762 in the Zograf Monastery. The book was the first attempt to write a complete history of Bulgaria and attempted to awake and strengthen Bulgarian national consciousnesses.[6] most famous part of the whole book is the paragraph: "Oh, you unwise moron! Why are you ashamed to call yourself a Bulgarian and why don't you read and speak in your native language? Weren't Bulgarians powerful and glorious once? Didn't they take taxes from strong Romans and wise Greeks? Out of all the Slavic nations they were the bravest one. Our rulers were the first ones to call themselves kings, the first ones to have patriarchs, the first ones to baptise their people.(...) Why are you ashamed of your great history and your great language and why do you leave it to turn yourselves into Greeks? Why do you think they are any better than you? Well, here you're right because did you see a Greek leave his country and ancestry like you do?" more or less signifies the purpose of the author who speaks about the danger of Bulgarians falling victim to the Hellenization policies of the mainly Greek clergy. These anti-Greek sentiments presented in Paisius writing, characterized the Greeks as some kind of Bulgarian national enemies.[7][8][9] The book's first manual copy was done by Sophronius of Vratsa in 1765. Structurally, Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya consists of two introductions, several chapters that discuss various historic events, a chapter about the "Slavic teachers", the disciples of Cyril and Methodius, a chapter about the Bulgarian saints, and an epilogue. As Paisius toured Bulgaria as a mendicant friar, he brought his work, which was copied and spread among the Bulgarians. He is thought to have died on the way to Mount Athos near Ampelino (modern-day Asenovgrad). page of Istoriya slavyanobulgarska (Slav-Bulgarian History) Peak on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named after Paisiy of Hilendar.[10] saint is portrayed on the obverse of the Bulgarian 2 lev banknote, issued in 1999 and 2005.[11] Venerable Paisius of Hilandar, Bulgaria, Commemorated on June 19; St. Demetrius, the New Martyr of Sliven, Commemorated on January 30;

Bulgaria, 1771, Damascene of Hilandar, igumen, sent to Svishtov, Bulgaria, to collect rent, to avoid paying Moslems framed him
Gabrovo, Bulgaria ; Hieromartyr Damascene of Hilandar of Mt Athos, Commemorated January 16 ; Hieromartyr Damascene the New was born in the village of Gabrovo of the Trnovo diocese in Bulgaria. He left his home as a young man and went to the Hilandar monastery on Mount Athos. Over time, he was ordained deacon and priest, fulfilling various obediences in the monastery. Later he was chosen as the igumen. Damascene often journeyed to various places on monastery business. One day Father Damascene was sent to Svishtov [Svištov, in Serbian], Bulgaria to collect rent from a Moslem on some property owned by the monastery. To avoid paying the debt, the man sent a Moslem woman to the room where the saint was staying. Then he and others broke in and accused Father Damascene of impropriety. If he was found guilty, he could be put to death. kadi (judge) did not believe that Father Damascene was guilty of the charges, but since the other Moslems had given false testimony against him, the judge had to find him guilty. Before taking him to be executed, he was given the choice of being put to death, or of saving his life by converting to Islam. The saint replied, “I was born a Christian, and I shall die a Christian; for to deny Christ is to forfeit eternal life. It would be madness if I agreed to preserve this temporary life in exchange for eternal perdition. I am sorry for you if you do not understand this.” that nothing would induce the saint to deny Christ and accept their religion, the Moslems brought him to the place of execution. Saint Damascene asked for some time to pray, and his request was granted. After completing his prayers he made the Sign of the Cross and told them that he was ready. The holy New Martyr Damascene was hanged at Svishtov on January 16, 1771, and received an incorruptible crown of glory from Christ. wrath of God was not slow in overtaking the evil-doers, however. After they put the saint to death they got into a boat to cross the Danube River, and the boat capsized in a storm, drowning them.

Bulgaria, 1794, Anastasius, Strumica, Bulgaria (Strumitza River 1), typical marytrdom by Moslems
Bulgaria, 1794, St Anastasius of Strumitza Eparchy, Bulgaria (Strumitza River 1), in Thessalonica, selling Turkish clothes without paying duty, dressing like a turk, could not recite moslem salutation, armed w sword, refused becomming Moslem, tortured and died; Strumica; St Anastasius of the Strumitza Eparchy, Commemorated on August 29; New Martyr Anastasius, a Bulgarian, was born in 1774 in the Strumnitsk diocese, in the village of Radovicha. His parents gave him over to military studies. When the youth was twenty years old, he happened to be with his teacher in Thessalonica. The master wanted to sell some Turkish clothes without paying the customary duty. He told his disciple to dress himself as a Turk and go into the city. The collectors of the duty stopped him and demanded the written receipt of duty payment. The youth answered that he was a Turk. Then the collectors demanded that he recite the salutation with the Moslem prayer. The youth became confused and quiet. They ordered him to appear before the commander, who in interrogating the martyr suggested that he become a Moslem. The youth refused, and they led him away to the chief tax-collector. official tried at first to flatter, then to threaten the martyr, who admitted his civil guilt, but would not agree to betray the holy Faith. The tax-collector made this known to the mufti, who in turn answered, “You have in one hand the sword, in the other the law, use what you wish.” knew that by law the tax-collector ought to collect the tax from the youth, but then by judgment of the mufti he would not be a follower of Mohammed, armed with a sword. When he had received such an answer, the commander of the haraje sent the youth to the local mullah together with five Turks, who were obliged to testify that the Christian had blasphemed the Moslem religion. the accusations of blasphemy against Mohammed by these witnesses, the youth honestly answered that he did not blaspheme him, but he would allow having shown disrespect to Moslem customs. They subjected him to torture and condemned him to hanging. Along the way, they continued to urge the martyr to renounce his faith, but bleeding and exhausted, he fell upon the wayside and died on August 29, 1794.

Bulgaria, 1794, Anastasius of Strumitza Eparchy, Bulgaria (Strumitza River 1), in Thessalonica, selling Turkish clothes story
Bulgaria, 1794, St Anastasius of Strumitza Eparchy, Bulgaria (Strumitza River 1), in Thessalonica, selling Turkish clothes without paying duty, dressing like a turk, could not recite moslem salutation, armed w sword, refused becomming Moslem, tortured and died; Strumica; St Anastasius of the Strumitza Eparchy, Commemorated on August 29; New Martyr Anastasius, a Bulgarian, was born in 1774 in the Strumnitsk diocese, in the village of Radovicha. parents gave him over to military studies. the youth was twenty years old, he happened to be with his teacher in Thessalonica. master wanted to sell some Turkish clothes without paying the customary duty. He told his disciple to dress himself as a Turk and go into the city. collectors of the duty stopped him and demanded the written receipt of duty payment. The youth answered that he was a Turk. Then the collectors demanded that he recite the salutation with the Moslem prayer. The youth became confused and quiet. They ordered him to appear before the commander, who in interrogating the martyr suggested that he become a Moslem. The youth refused, and they led him away to the chief tax-collector. official tried at first to flatter, then to threaten the martyr, who admitted his civil guilt, but would not agree to betray the holy Faith. The tax-collector made this known to the mufti, who in turn answered, “You have in one hand the sword, in the other the law, use what you wish.” knew that by law the tax-collector ought to collect the tax from the youth, but then by judgment of the mufti he would not be a follower of Mohammed, armed with a sword. he had received such an answer, the commander of the haraje sent the youth to the local mullah together with five Turks, who were obliged to testify that the Christian had blasphemed the Moslem religion. the accusations of blasphemy against Mohammed by these witnesses, the youth honestly answered that he did not blaspheme him, but he would allow having shown disrespect to Moslem customs. subjected him to torture and condemned him to hanging. Along the way, they continued to urge the martyr to renounce his faith, but bleeding and exhausted, he fell upon the wayside and died on August 29, 1794.

Bulgaria, 1794-1802, New Martr Lazarus, Pergamon Shepherd, Moslem attacked by hDog, rape charge, prayed tGeorge, tongue healed
Bulgaria, 1794-1802, New Martyr Lazarus of Gabrovo, Bulgaria (Yantra River 1), Shepherd near Pergamon, Moslem wife attacked by his dog, saved her but she said he attached her, her husband attacked wrong man, to hide mistake had wife's relatives charge Laz wRape, relatives offered $1,000 if he converts, horrible tortures, red hot irons, heavy stones on chest, prayed Lord &St George, tongue ruined by hot iron, heated band on head, med doctor merchant John oZagora, aga's doctor, saw his tongue healed, encouraged him, aga realized tHealing, I have 1 God in 3 persons, will die Orthodox C, condemned him to hang ; Gabrovo, Bulgaria ; New Martyr Lazarus of Bulgaria, Commemorated on April 23; Holy New Martyr Lazarus was from Gabrovo, Bulgaria and he was born to devout and God-loving parents in 1774. a young age he left Gabrovo and went to Soma in Asia Minor, near Pergamon, where he became a shepherd. day while tending his sheep in the fields, he sat down to rest, and fell asleep. a Moslem woman passed by, and was attacked by the sheep dog. by the dog's barking, Lazarus hastened to save her. dog was calmed down and the woman was unharmed, but her dress was somewhat torn. infuriated the woman, who immediately went home and told her husband that she had been attacked by a Christian shepherd who attempted to molest her. enraged husband went out to look for Lazarus, but since he did not know him, he mistook another man for Lazarus, and nearly beat him to death. order to hide his mistake, the husband had his wife's relatives go before the Turkish judge and to charge Lazarus with attempted rape. Lazarus was aware of what the woman's husband planned to do, he did not attempt to hide. He knew that he was innocent, and that running away would only make him appear guilty. on April 7, 1802, he showed up in court, where he was charged and thrown into prison. the meantime, the woman's relatives insisted that Lazarus must either convert to Islam or be executed for the dishonor he had inflicted upon their relative. They offered the aga a thousand grosia if he succeeded in converting Lazarus; or if the Saint refused to deny Christ, he must be sentenced to death. prison, saints Lazarus was beaten continuously until April 22, in an attempt to force his conversion. Christians came and visited Lazarus to give him support and encouragement, but he requested them to leave because they were placing themselves in danger. the aga grew increasingly angry because Lazarus would not convert, and the one thousand grosia seemed to be slipping through his fingers. Lazarus remained steadfast in the face of torture and flattery, and so the aga confiscated his herd of forty sheep. Tuesday of Saint Thomas week (April 22) the aga ordered more tortures for Lazarus. After his tormentors got drunk, they began applying red-hot irons to Lazarus' body. Then they placed heavy stones upon his chest, Lazarus still refused to submit. Instead, Lazarus entreated the Lord to help him, and he also prayed to Saint George (April 23), asking for his assistance. the torturers stretched out Lazarus' tongue and applied a hot iron to it, burning the front half and cauterizing the rest. Lazarus was now unable to speak, they told him to use sign language when he was ready to convert. They also placed a heated iron band around his head, causing him terrible pain. sunset, the merchant John from Zagora, who was also a medical doctor, went to see the aga, with whom he was acquainted, because he was the physician to the aga's household. John went to the window of the prison and was able to see Lazarus sitting on the floor. Not only did he seem to be well, but he was also able to speak normally. The doctor, who was an Orthodox Christian, encouraged Lazarus to persevere until the end, and to endure everything for the love of Christ. He spoke to Lazarus in Turkish, since he did not know Bulgarian and Lazarus did not understand Greek. Lazarus assured the doctor that he would not give in, but he was afraid that the Moslems would become tired of torturing him and would just stop instead of putting him to death. the aga learned that Lazarus could speak, he became angry with the torturers, whom he thought had deceived him. Yet when he saw the marks of torture on the Saint's body, he was convinced that the men had done their job. After trying once more to make Lazarus convert, he heard him reject all gifts, honors, and promises of wealth if he became a Moslem. Saint Lazarus told him, "I have one God in three persons, Whom I worship and adore. I was baptized as an Orthodox Christian, and I shall die as an Orthodox Christian." Then the aga ordered that he be hanged. the way to the place of his execution, many Moslems mocked Lazarus for being so foolish as to give up his life for Jesus Christ. When they arrived at their destination, Saint Lazarus voluntarily placed the rope around his own neck and stood on a basket, and then the executioner kicked it from under his feet. Thus the Holy New Martyr Lazarus endured martyrdom on April 23, 1802. He was twenty-eight years old when he departed from this temporal life, and inherited everlasting life. Now, in the Kingdom of Heaven, he joins the angels and all the Saints in glorifying the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit throughout the ages. Church Service in honor of Saint Lazarus was composed by Saint Nikephoros of Chios (May 1). Portions of his relics can be venerated in Leimonos Monastery in Lesbos, and in the Chapel of Saint Xenia of Saint Petersburg at Mandra in Attica.

Bulgaria, 1795, Zlata (Chryse) of Meglena, Bulgaria, virgin martyr crowns, disowns parents and siblings for Christ and MOG
Meglena (Meglen), Macedonia or Bulgaria; New Martyr Chryse (Zlata) of Meglena, Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 13; Holy Virgin Martyr Zlata, that “golden vessel of virginity, and undefiled bride of Christ,” was born in the village of Slatena, in the Meglena diocese, on the border of Bulgaria and Serbia, when Bulgaria was under the Turkish Yoke. Her father was poor and he had four daughters. Saint Zlata was beautiful in appearance, and her soul was beautiful as well. From childhood she displayed an unusually strong character, and an unshakeable faith in Christ. certain Turk became obsessed with her, and kidnapped her one day as she was gathering wood with some other women. He brought her to his house, and repeatedly tried to seduce the maiden, and persuade her to convert to Islam, saying that he would make her his wife. Zlata, however, resisted and asserted: "I know only Christ as my Bridegroom, Whom I shall not deny, even if you tear me to to shreds." persuasion and flattery proved unsuccessful, the Turk began to threaten her with grievous torments. The glorious martyr was not frightened by these threats, however. For six months the impious Hagarenes1 tried to make Zlata accept their religion, but she remained steadfast. Then they ordered the saint’s parents and sisters to convince her to become a Moslem. Otherwise, they would kill Zlata and torture them. Saint's parents and sisters wept and urged her to deny Christ “just for the sake of appearances,” so that they might be spared torture and death. Saint Zlata was unmoved by their pleas, and replied, “You who now urge me to deny Christ are no longer my parents and sisters. Instead, I have the Lord Jesus Christ as my father, the Lady Theotokos as my mother, and the Saints of our Church as my brothers and sisters!” the Moslems saw that they could not weaken the Saint's resolve, they tortured her for three months, beating her with clubs. Later, they peeled strips of skin from her body so that the earth was reddened by her blood. Then they heated a skewer and passed it through her ears. nearby was her Spiritual Father, Hieromonk Timothy of Stavronikḗta Monastery on Mount Athos, She sent word to him to pray that she would persevere until the end. It was he who recorded her martyrdom. the Moslems fell into a rage at having been defeated by a woman, so they tied her to a tree and cut her virginal body to pieces with their knives. Her pure soul was received by Christ, Who bestowed on her the double crowns of virginity and martyrdom. Certain Christians gathered her relics secretly and buried them with great reverence. Saint Zlata suffered for Christ on October 13, 1795. The descendants of Hagar, the concubine of the Old Testament Patriarch Abraham. Translation of the relics of St Hilarion the Bishop of Meglin in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 21;

Bulgaria, 1800, 19th Century Folder, National Awakening

Bulgaria, 1801, National awakening of Bulgaria, Early 19th Century
Bulgaria, 1800, National awakening of Bulgaria, early 19th Century; Venerable Paisius of Hilandar, Bulgaria, Commemorated on June 19; St. Demetrius, the New Martyr of Sliven, Commemorated on January 30;

Bulgaria, 1801-1814, New Martyr Ignatius, Bulgaria, confessed before kadi breaking earlier moslem promise, tortured, hanged
Bulgaria, 1801-1814, New Martyr Ignatius, Trnovo, Bulgaria (Yantra River 2.3), Rila M, then Athos, father refused fight Serb Orthodox, Mother Sister b moslem, turned him in, escaped t Romania, then Athos, confessed before kadi breaking earlier moslem promise, tortured, hanged; Trnovo, Bulgaria (Yantra River 2); New Martyr Ignatius the Monk of Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 8; holy New Martyr Ignatius was born in the village of Eski Zagora in the Trnovo region of Bulgaria, and was named John in Baptism. he was still a young child, his parents George and Maria moved to the city of Philippopolis and enrolled him in a school there. he did well at school, he had a strong desire for the monastic life. reaching adulthood, he entered the Rila monastery in western Bulgaria. he was assigned to an Elder, with whom he lived in obedience for six years. the Elder’s strictness became unbearable, John returned home. that time the Serbs rose in revolt against the Moslem government. ’s father was asked to take command of an Ottoman brigade, but he refused to fight against other Orthodox Christians. Moslems attacked George with furious anger. He was stabbed and then beheaded. ’s mother and sisters were also taken by the Hagarenes, and they ultimately agreed to convert to Islam. fled and hid in the home of an elderly Orthodox woman. mother and sisters learned where he was hiding, and they told the Moslems. sent to capture him did not know what he looked like, so the old woman told them she did not know him. woman helped him escape to Bucharest, Romania, he became acquainted with Saint Euthymius, who would also endure martyrdom. did not wish to stay in Bucharest, however, so he left for Mt. Athos. the way he visited the village of Soumla, where he ran into his friend Father Euthymius again. that Euthymius had denied Christ and beome a Moslem, John became very sad and left the village. had not gotten very far when Turkish soldiers stopped him and took all his possessions. demanded that he convert to Islam, and in his fright he told them that he would do so. with this reply, they let him go. reached the village of Eski Zagora, where he met an Athonite monk from the monastery of Grigoriou. journeyed to the Holy Mountain together, and John settled in the Skete of Saint Anna. he met Father Basil. day John and Father Basil traveled to Thessalonica on monastery business. they were there the monks David and Euthymius of Demetsana suffered martyrdom because they were Christians. was inflamed with the desire for martyrdom. Basil, however, urged him to postpone his intention, so they returned to the Holy Mountain. A short time after this, Father Basil died. a monk from the Skete of Saint Anna told him of the martyrdom of the New Martyr Euthymius (March 22), was once more filled with zeal for martyrdom. was placed under the spiritual direction of the Elder Acacius, who prescribed for him prayer, prostrations, and reading the Gospel. time, John was found worthy of monastic tonsure, and was given the new name Ignatius. Elder Acacius blessed him to travel to Constantinople with the monk Gregory in order to bear witness to Christ. receiving the Holy Mysteries in Constantinople, Ignatius felt he was ready for his ordeal. in Moslem garb, Ignatius went before the kadi and proclaimed his faith in Christ. He told him how he had promised to become a Moslem when he was younger, but now he threw his turban at the kadi’s feet and said that he would never deny Christ. that Ignatius was insane, the kadi warned him that if he did not come to his senses he would endure horrible torments before being put to death. On the other hand, if he embraced Islam, he would receive rich gifts and great honor from them. courageous martyr told the kadi to keep his gifts, for they were merely temporal gifts. “Your threats of torture and death are nothing new,” he said, “and I knew of them before I came here. In fact, I came here because of them, so that I might die for my Christ.” Ignatius went on to call Mohammed “a false prophet, a teacher of perdition, and a friend of the devil.” Then he invited the Moslems to believe in Christ, the only true God. kadi then became so angry he could not speak, so he motioned for a servant to lead Saint Ignatius out of the room. Ignatius turned and struck the servant, then knelt before the kadi and bent his neck, as if inviting him to behead him then and there. Other servants entered the room, however, and dragged him off to prison. Ignatius was brought before the kadi for questioning. When asked who had brought him to Constantinople, he replied, “My Lord Jesus Christ brought me here.” the kadi urged him to reconsider, for he was about to experience unimaginable tortures. “Do not expect to be beheaded so that the Christians can collect your blood as a blessing,” he said, “for I intend to hang you.” replied, “You will be doing me a great service whether you hang me or put me to the sword. I accept everything for the love of Christ.” that he could not turn Ignatius from his Christian Faith, the kadi ordered him to be hanged. He was taken to a place called Daktyloporta, where the sentence was carried out. The martyr’s body remained hanging there for three days, then some pious Christians paid a ransom for it and took it to the island of Prote for burial. Ignatius gave his life for Christ on October 8, 1814. He is also commemorated on May 1 with Saints Acacius and Euthymius. head of Saint Ignatius is in the Monastery of Saint Panteleimon on Mt Athos.

Bulgaria, 1876, April Uprising, Sliven, Bulgaria (Tonsus River 1)
Bulgaria, 1876, April Uprising, Sliven, Bulgaria (Tonsus River 1) Sliven; St Demetrius, the New Martyr of Sliven, Commemorated January 30 ;

Bulgaria, 1877-1878, Bulgarian Russian-Turkish War, with Bulgarians 3x number of Russians
Bulgaria, 1877-1878, Bulgarian Russian-Turkish War, with Bulgarians 3x number of Russians; Bulgaria, 1876, April Uprising, Sliven, Bulgaria (Tonsus River 1) Sliven; St Demetrius, the New Martyr of Sliven, Commemorated January 30 ;

Bulgaria, Southeastern Bulgaria, Thracian Penninsula Folder, Via Engnatia

Thracian Penninsula
Thracian Penninsula, also known as Thracian Italy; Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria, Commemorated on July 18; Venerable Cosmas the Eunuch and Hermit of Palestine, Commemorated on August 3; Translation of the relics of St Maximus the Confessor, Commemorated on August 13; Hieromartyr Philip the Bishop of Heraclea, Commemorated August 20 ; Martyr Severus and 38 Soldiers in Thrace, Commemorated on August 20; St Barses the Confessor, Commemorated on August 25 ; St Liberius the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on August 27 ; 40 Women Martyrs at Heraclea, in Thrace, Commemorated September 1 ; Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion, Commemorated on September 13; Repose of St. Anthimus, Bishop of Georgia, Commemorated on September 14; Martyr Theodotus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on September 15 ; St Sebastiana the Martyr and Disciple of St Paul the Apostle at Heraclea, Commemorated September 16 ; St Nectarius Kephalas the Metropolitan of Pentapolis, Commemorated on November 9; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; St Anthimus, Bishop of Georgia, Commemorated on June 13; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22;

Thracian Wilderness, now Central Balkan National Park
Thracian Wilderness, now Central Balkan National Park; Venerable Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople, Commemorated on December 11;

Moisia, Thrace (Moisi Tribe)
Moisia, Thrace (Moisi Tribe); Hieromartyr Apollinaris the Bishop of Ravenna Commemorated on July 23;

Drizipara, Bulgaria (on Via Egnatia, Martyr Alexander of Rome)
Drizipara, Bulgaria (on Via Egnatia, Martyr Alexander of Rome); Martyr Alexander of Rome, Commemorated on May 13;

Thracia, Bulgaria
Roman Province Thracia; Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion, Commemorated September 13 ; Martyr Demetrius of Thrace, Commemorated November 15 ; Venerable Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople, Commemorated on December 11 ; Martyr Alexander of Rome, Commemorated on May 13;

Perinth, Thrace, Bulgaria (on Via Egratia and Agean Sea)
Perinth; Hieromartyr Mocius the Presbyter of Amphipolis in Macedonia, Commemorated on May 11; Virginmartyr Glyceria at Heraclea, Commemorated on May 13 ;

Heraclea, Thrace, Bulgaria (Perinth, Via Egnatia)
Heraclea, Thrace, Bulgaria; Venerable Philotheus the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on October 8 ; Virginmartyr Glyceria at Heraclea, Commemorated on May 13 ;

Selymbria, Thrace (Roman Road Via Engratia, Agean Sea)
Selymbria; Martyr Agathonicus of Nicomedia, and others who suffered under Maximian, Commemorated on August 22;

Anastasiopolis, Thrace, Bulgaria
Anastasiopolis; Translation of the relics of St Theodore the Sykeote, Commemorated on June 15;

Apollonia, Thrace, Bulgaria
Apollonia, Thrace; St Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated January 25 ; Martyr Zosimus the Soldier at Antioch, in Pisidia, Commemorated on June 19;

Malko Tarnovo (Southeastern Bulgaria, Thrace)
Malko Tarnovo; St Philothea of Thrace, the Protectress of Romania, Commemorated December 7 ;

Strandzha Mountains
Strandzha Mountains; St. Theodosius the Bulgarian, with his disciple Romanos, Commemorated on February 17;

Gregory of Sinai Monastery, Strandzha Mountains, 1335
Gregory of Sinai Monastery; Strandzha Mountains; St. Theodosius the Bulgarian, with his disciple Romanos, Commemorated on February 17;

Bulgaria, Central Bulgaria, Maritza River Folder, south to the Agean Sea, Thrace

Maritsa River

Maritza River Source (Rila Mountains)

Rila Mountains
Rila Mountains; Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila; Translation of the relics of Venerable St John the Abbot of Rila in Bulgaria;

Rila Monastery, Bulgaria (Maritza River Source) 927, St John of Rila
Rila Monastery ; Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated August 18 ; John of Rila, the great spiritual ascetic of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and Heavenly Protector of the Bulgarian nation, was born in the year 876 in the village of Skrino in the Sredets district [now Sofia]. he had been orphaned, the boy became a cowherd in order to avoid people. Once the rich man beat him for losing a cow with its calf. The boy cried long and he prayed, that God would help him. When he found the cow with the calf, the water at that time flowed high and strong in the River Struma. The young cowherd prayed, he placed his own tattered shirt on the water, made the Sign of the Cross over it, took up the calf in his arms and went with it, as though on dry land, to the other bank of the river where the cow was. rich man, hidden in the forest, was frightened upon seeing this miracle. He rewarded the youth generously, then sent him away from his home. Having given away his things, the boy left his village. Where and when the saint took monastic tonsure is unknown. the very beginning he lived an ascetical life on top of a high and barren hill, eating only wild plants. His cell was made from brushwood. After a short time, robbers fell upon him by night, beat him, and drove him away. Later, he found a deep cave and settled in it. Soon, his nephew Saint Luke also came to live there. secretly left the home of his parents and went into the wilderness where the Saint was living. After much effort, he succeeded in finding him. At first the blessed one, seeing him from afar, thought this was a demonic temptation, and so he prayed. Like many solitaries, Saint John was bothered by demons, who assumed the shape of wild animals and tried to force him to leave. As Luke approached, he made prostration and asked for Saint John's blessing. That convinced the ascetic that it was truly his nephew, and not a delusion. He blessed Luke and asked why he had come. The young man told him of his desire to share his way of life, and was permitted to remain. Luke emulated Saint John the Forerunner, who had lived in the wilderness from childhood. could not endure Saint John's holy life of prayer and fasting. Moved by the devil, an acquaintance of Luke's father found him overwhelmed by grief and upset by his son's disappearance, so he said, "Your brother John came by night, took your son, and has him even now. Unless you rescue the boy, he will become food for the wild beasts. Come, and I will show you where he is, and then you can go and take your child." Luke's father heard this, he became furious and cursed his innocent brother. When they came near the place, the acquaintance showed him John's cave from afar and departed. The brother went on and found the Saint. He reproached him, calling him a deceiver and an evil man who had stolen his son. tried to kill the venerable one with a heavy stick and some stones, but Saint John just stood there saying nothing. The father seized the boy and took him from the wilderness, intending to bring him back to the world. The blessed man, knew that the child would fall into the snares of the devil, was overcome with sorrow and tears. Hefell to his knees and prayed: "Lord Jesus Christ, behold the affliction of my heart, and grant me a sign of Thy mercy. Thou hast said, 'Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven' (Matthew 19:24). they had walked a short distance, a snake bit Luke, and at once he died a painless death. The father did not know what to do. He returned to Saint John and repented of his actions. With profound sorrow, he revealed what had happened. Saint John told him to bury the boy and return to his home. The Saint was comforted in his sorrow and he glorified God, because by means of a physical death, He had saved the child from the future death of his soul. Saint John often visited the grave of his righteous nephew, which became his favorite place of solitude. John spent twelve years in the desolate cave, and then he went into the Rila wilderness and settled in the hollow of a tree. He fasted and prayed a great deal, wept incessantly, and ate only grass. Seeing such endurance, God caused beans to grow, which he ate for a long time. The beans and his exploits made him known to people. a flock of frightened sheep ran along the hilly steep paths, and did not stop until the place where the monk lived. The shepherds, following after the flock, with astonishment saw the hermit, who amicably greeted them: “You arrive here hungry. Pick some of my beans and eat.” All ate and were satisfied. One gathered many beans in reserve. Along the way home he offered them to his comrades, but there were no beans in the pilfered pods. The shepherds turned back penitent, and the Elder stood there, saying with a smile: “See, children, these fruits are appointed by God for subsistence in the wilderness.” that time they began to bring to the monk the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits, which he healed by prayer. Fleeing celebrity, the monk went from his beloved tree-hollow and settled on a high and rocky crag difficult of access, where he dwelt for seven years under the open sky. Reports about the great ascetic reached even the Bulgarian king Peter (927-969), who wanted to meet him. Saint John wrote a letter, refusing such a meeting out of humility. on Saint John accepted under him the guidance of monks, who built a monastery with a church in the cave where Saint John formerly lived. He wisely tended his flock and died on August 18, 946 at 70 years of age. years before his end he wrote in his own hand “A Testament to Disciples,” one of the finest creations of Old Bulgarian literature. The holy life of the ascetic and the remarkable mercies of God through his prayers were a fine preaching of the Christian Faith in the newly-baptized Bulgarian land. In the uneasy time of struggle of Bulgaria with Byzantium, under the west Bulgarian king Samuel (976-1014), Saint John appeared to his disciples, commanding them to transfer his relics to Sredets (Sofia), where the Bulgarian Patriarch Damian (927-972) was hiding. It is presumed that the transfer of relics took place in the year 980. later, the right hand of Saint John of Rila was transferred to Russia (presumably to the city of Rila, where a church was constructed in the name of Saint John of Rila, with a chapel dedicated to the martyrs Florus and Laurus, on the day of their commemoration (August 18) on which he died). name of Saint John was known and loved by the Russian people from antiquity. Data about the death of the saint is preserved, especially in Russian sources (the Menaion for August in the twelfth century, in the Mazurinsk Chronicle). the year 1183, the Hungarian king Bela II (1174-1196), during a campaign against the Greeks, seized the chest with the relics of Saint John, together with other booty, and took it to the city of Esztergom. the year 1187, after he embellished the reliquary, he sent back the holy relics with great honor. On October 19, 1238 the relics of Saint John were solemnly transferred to the new capital, Trnovo, and put in a church dedicated to the saint. On July 1, 1469 the holy relics of Saint John of Rila were returned to the Rila monastery, where they rest to the present day, granting grace-filled help to all the believers. Icon of the Mother of God of the Seven Lakes, Commemorated on October 13 ; New Martyr Ignatius the Monk of Bulgaria, Commemorated October 8 ; Translation of the relics of Venerable St John the Abbot of Rila in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 19 ; Blessed Peter the King of Bulgaria, Commemorated January 30 ; New Martyr Ignatius the Martyr of Mt Athos, Commemorated on May 1; Venerable Paisius of Hilandar, Bulgaria, Commemorated on June 19; Translation of the relics of the Venerable John of Rila from Trnovo to Rila, Commemorated on July 1;

Maritza River 1 (Balkan Peninsula)

Maritza River 2

Maritza River 3

Maritza River 4

Maritza River 5 (Philippopolis (Plovdiv), Thrace)

Philippopolis, Thrace, Bulgaria (Roman Road Via Militaris 5, Maritza River 5)
Philippoplis; Martyr Severus and 38 Soldiers in Thrace, Commemorated on August 20; Martyr Theodotus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on September 15 ; New Martyr Ignatius the Monk of Bulgaria, Commemorated October 8 ; Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Commemorated November 5 ; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 8; New Martyr Ignatius the Martyr of Mt Athos, Commemorated on May 1; Martyr Alexander of Rome, Commemorated on May 13; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 31 ; Venerable Paisius of Hilandar, Bulgaria, Commemorated on June 19;

Plovdiv, Bulgaria (Roman Road, Via Militarius 5, Maritza River 5)
Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Saint Nectarius of Bitel, Commemorated on December 15; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 31 ; Venerable Paisius of Hilandar, Bulgaria, Commemorated on June 19;

Kuklen Monastery of St.St. Kosma and Damyan, Plovdiv, Bulgaria (Maritza River 5)
Kuklen Monastery of St.St. Kosma and Damyan, Plovdiv, Bulgaria (Maritza River 5) ; Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Saint Nectarius of Bitel, Commemorated on December 15; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 31 ; Venerable Paisius of Hilandar, Bulgaria, Commemorated on June 19;

Bitel (Butili) near Kuklen and Plovdiv, Bulgaria (Maritza River 5)
Kuklen Monastery of St.St. Kosma and Damyan, Plovdiv, Bulgaria (Maritza River 5) ; Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Saint Nectarius of Bitel, Commemorated on December 15; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 31 ; Venerable Paisius of Hilandar, Bulgaria, Commemorated on June 19;

Bulgaria, Central Bulgaria, Maritza River 5, Chepelare River Folder

Chepelare River

Chepelare River Source (along the border)

Petritsoni (now Bachkovo) Georgian Monastery, Bulgaria, 1083
Petritsoni Georgian Monastery, Bulgaria (now Bachkovo); St John Chimchimeli the Philosopher, Commemorated on February 10 ; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1;

Bachkovo Monastery (Chepelare River 1)1083
Petritsoni Georgian Monastery, Bulgaria (now Bachkovo); St John Chimchimeli the Philosopher, Commemorated on February 10 ; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1;

Sardica, Lydia? Thrace, Bulgaria (Chapelare River, Maritza River 5)
Council of Sardica; St Cyril the Archbishop of Jerusalem, Commemorated on March 18; Apostle Clement of the Seventy ;

Chepalare River Mouth (Maritza River 5)

Maritza River 8 (Thrace)

Thrace, Bulgaria (Via Militarius, Via Egnatia, Maritza River 8)
Thrace; Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria, Commemorated on July 18; Hieromartyr Apollinaris the Bishop of Ravenna, Commemorated on July 23; Venerable Gregory of Sinai, Mt. Athos, Commemorated August 8 ; Translation of the relics of St Maximus the Confessor, Commemorated on August 13; Martyr Severus and 38 Soldiers in Thrace, Commemorated August 20; Hieromartyr Philip the Bishop of Heraclea, Commemorated August 20 ; Martyr Agathonicus of Nicomedia, and others who suffered under Maximian, Commemorated on August 22; St Liberius the Pope of Rome, Commemorated on August 27 ; 40 Women Martyrs at Heraclea, in Thrace, Commemorated September 1 ; Hieromartyr Cornelius the Centurion, Commemorated on September 13; Repose of St. Anthimus, Bishop of Georgia, Commemorated on September 14; Greatmartyr Nicetas the Goth, Commemorated on September 15 ; St Sebastiana the Martyr and Disciple of St Paul the Apostle at Heraclea, Commemorated September 16 ; Martyr Melitina of Marcianopolis, Commemorated September 16 ; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22 ; St Nectarius Kephalas the Metropolitan of Pentapolis, Commemorated on November 9 ; Martyr Demetrius of Thrace, Commemorated November 15 ; Apostle Andrew, the Holy and All-Praised First-Called, Commemorated November 30 ; Venerable Daniel the Stylite of Constantinople, Commemorated on December 11 ; Venerable Nicholas the Monk of Bulgaria, Commemorated December 24 ; St Philothea of Thrace, the Protectress of Romania, Commemorated December 7 ; St Maximus the Confessor, Commemorated January 21 ; Martyr Manuel the Bishop in Bulgaria, Commemorated January 22; St Gregory the Theologian the Archbishop of Constantinople, Commemorated January 25 ; Martyr Maximus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated February 19; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 8; Venerable Isaac the Founder of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople, Commemorated on March 22; Venerable Hypatius the Abbot of Rufinus in Chalcedon, Commemorated on March 31; Apostle Herodion of the Seventy, and those with Him, Commemorated on April 8; Martyr Pausilippus of Heraclea in Thrace, Commemorated on April 8; New Martyr Raphael of Lesbos, Commemorated on April 9; Monkmartyr Agathangelus of Esphigmenou of Mt Athos, Commemorated on April 19; Venerable Theodore Trichinas "œthe Hair-Shirt Wearer"Â and Hermit Near Constantinople, Commemorated on April 20; Right-believing Tamara, Queen of Georgia, Commemorated on May 1; Venerable Macarius the Archimandrite of Obruch (Kanev), Commemorated on May 13; St Achilles the Bishop of Larissa, Commemorated on May 15 ; Venerable Isaac the Founder of the Dalmatian Monastery at Constantinople, Commemorated on May 30 ; Martyr Sophia of Thrace, Commemorated on June 4; Venerable Peter of Mt. Athos, Commemorated on June 12 ; Translation of the relics of St Theodore the Sykeote, Commemorated on June 15; Hieromartyr Eusebius the Bishop of Samosata, Commemorated on June 22; Seven Martyred Brothers: Orentius, Pharnacius, Eros, Firmus, Firminus, Cyriacus, and Longinus, in Georgia, Commemorated on June 24;

Maritza River 9 (Adrianopolis)

Bulgaria, Central Bulgaria, Maritza River 9, Ardiscus River Folder

Ardiscus (Arda, Studen) River

Rhodope Mountains

Ardiscus (Arda, Studen) River Source (Rhodope Mountains)

Ardiscus (Arda, Studen) River Mouth (Adrianopolis, Maritza River 9)

Maritza River 10 (Adrianopolis)

Bulgaria, Central Bulgaria, Maritza River 10, Tonus River Folder

Tonsus River

Tonsus River Source (Balkan Mountains)

Haemus or Balkan Mountains
Haemus or Balkan Mountains;

Upper Thracian Plain
Upper Thracian Plain;

Dirrachia, Bulgaria (Tonsus River Source)
Dirrachia, Bulgaria ; Venerable John (Koukouzelis) the Hymnographer of Mt. Athos, Albania, Commemorated October 1 ;

Tonsus River 1 (Upper Thracian Plain, Stara Zagora)

Stara Zagora, Bulgaria (Upper Thracian Plain)
Stara Zagora; New Martyr Triandaphyllus of Stara Zagora, Commemorated August 8 ; New Martyr Ignatius the Monk of Bulgaria, Commemorated October 8 ; Venerable Romilus of Ravenica, Commemorated January 16 ; New Martyr Lazarus of Bulgaria, Commemorated on April 23;

Eski Zagora in the Trnovo region, Bulgaria
Eski Zagora; New Martyr Ignatius the Monk of Bulgaria, Commemorated October 8 ; New Martyr Ignatius the Martyr of Mt Athos, Commemorated on May 1;

Sliven, Bulgaria (Tonsus River 1)
Sliven; St Demetrius, the New Martyr of Sliven, Commemorated January 30 ;

Tonsus (Tundzha, Tunca) River Mouth (Adrianopolis, Maritza River 10)

Adrianopolis, Thrace, Bulgaria (Roman Roads, Tonsus, Ardiscus Rivers, at Maritza River 9)
Adrianople; Venerable Cosmas the Eunuch and Hermit of Palestine, Commemorated on August 3; Translation of the relics of St Maximus the Confessor, Commemorated on August 13; Martyr Agathonicus of Nicomedia, and others who suffered under Maximian, Commemorated on August 22; 40 Women Martyrs at Heraclea, in Thrace, Commemorated September 1 ; Martyr Theodotus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on September 15 ; Repose of St. Anthimus, Bishop of Georgia, Commemorated on September 14; St. Stephen of Serbia, œthe blind oneÂ, Commemorated on October 9; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22 ; St Athanasius the Patriarch of Constantinople; Venerable Athanasius the Younger the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated October 28 ; Martyr Maximus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated February 19; Monkmartyr Euthymius of Prodromou of Mt Athos, Commemorated on March 22; New Martyr Euthymius of Mt Athos, Commemorated on May 1; St Anthimus, Bishop of Georgia, Commemorated on June 13;

Edirne, Bulgaria, aka Adrianople
Edirne, Bulgaria, aka Adrianople; historically known as Adrianople (founded by the Roman emperor Hadrian on the site of a previous Thracian settlement named Uskudama)[4] is a city in Turkey, in the northwestern province of Edirne and East Thrace, close to Turkey's borders with Greece and Bulgaria. was the capital city of the Ottoman Empire from 1369 to 1453,[5] before Constantinople became the empire's capital. The estimated population in 2019 was 185,408. and etymology See also: Names of Edirne in different languages city was founded as Hadrianopolis (á¼‰Î´ÏÎ¹Î±Î½Î¿ÏÏ€Î¿Î»Î¹Ï‚ in Greek), named after the Roman emperor Hadrian. This name is still used in the modern Greek language (Î‘Î´ÏÎ¹Î±Î½Î¿ÏÏ€Î¿Î»Î·, Adrianoúpoli). The Ottoman name Edrine (Ø£Ø¯Ø±Ù†Ø©) derives from the Greek name. The name Adrianople was used in English until the Turkish adoption of the Latin alphabet in 1928, upon which Edirne became the internationally recognized name. Bulgarian: ÐžÐ´Ñ€Ð¸Ð½, romanized: Odrin (pronounced [ËˆÉ”drin]), Romanian and Aromanian: Odrina, Albanian: Edrenë, Slovene: Odrin and Serbian: ÐˆÐµÐ´Ñ€ÐµÐ½Ðµ, romanized: Jedrene, are all adapted forms of the name Hadrianopolis. Blessed Stephen, King of Serbia, Commemorated on July 19;

Jedirne, Bulgaria, aka Adrianople or Edirne or Hadrianopolis
Edirne, Bulgaria, aka Adrianople; historically known as Adrianople (founded by the Roman emperor Hadrian on the site of a previous Thracian settlement named Uskudama)[4] is a city in Turkey, in the northwestern province of Edirne and East Thrace, close to Turkey's borders with Greece and Bulgaria. was the capital city of the Ottoman Empire from 1369 to 1453,[5] before Constantinople became the empire's capital. The estimated population in 2019 was 185,408. and etymology See also: Names of Edirne in different languages city was founded as Hadrianopolis, named after the Roman emperor Hadrian. This name is still used in the modern Greek language. The Ottoman name Edrine derives from the Greek name. The name Adrianople was used in English until the Turkish adoption of the Latin alphabet in 1928, upon which Edirne became the internationally romanized: Jedrene, are all adapted forms of the name Hadrianopolis. Blessed Stephen, King of Serbia, Commemorated on July 19;

Battle of Adrianople, Gothic Civil War, 378, Fritgen over Athanaric, both Theringian Goths
Battle of Adrianople, Gothic Civil War; Greatmartyr Niketas the Goth, Commemorated on September 15;

Roman Road, Via Militaris 6, Adrianopolis, Thrace, Bulgaria
Adrianople; Venerable Cosmas the Eunuch and Hermit of Palestine, Commemorated on August 3; Translation of the relics of St Maximus the Confessor, Commemorated on August 13; Martyr Agathonicus of Nicomedia, and others who suffered under Maximian, Commemorated on August 22; 40 Women Martyrs at Heraclea, in Thrace, Commemorated September 1 ; Martyr Theodotus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on September 15 ; Repose of St. Anthimus, Bishop of Georgia, Commemorated on September 14; St. Stephen of Serbia, œthe blind oneÂ, Commemorated on October 9; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22 ; St Athanasius the Patriarch of Constantinople; Venerable Athanasius the Younger the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated October 28 ; Martyr Maximus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated February 19; Monkmartyr Euthymius of Prodromou of Mt Athos, Commemorated on March 22; New Martyr Euthymius of Mt Athos, Commemorated on May 1; St Anthimus, Bishop of Georgia, Commemorated on June 13;

Jedrene (Edirne, Adrianopolis, Thrace, Bulgaria (Tonsus, Ardiscus Rivers, at Maritza River 9)
Adrianople; Venerable Cosmas the Eunuch and Hermit of Palestine, Commemorated on August 3; Translation of the relics of St Maximus the Confessor, Commemorated on August 13; Martyr Agathonicus of Nicomedia, and others who suffered under Maximian, Commemorated on August 22; 40 Women Martyrs at Heraclea, in Thrace, Commemorated September 1 ; Martyr Theodotus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on September 15 ; Repose of St. Anthimus, Bishop of Georgia, Commemorated on September 14; St. Stephen of Serbia, ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚Âœthe blind oneÃƒÂ¢Ã‚Â€Ã‚ÂÂÂÂ, Commemorated on October 9; St Alexander the Bishop at Adrianopolis, Commemorated on October 22 ; St Athanasius the Patriarch of Constantinople; Venerable Athanasius the Younger the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated October 28 ; Martyr Maximus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated February 19; Monkmartyr Euthymius of Prodromou of Mt Athos, Commemorated on March 22; New Martyr Euthymius of Mt Athos, Commemorated on May 1; St Anthimus, Bishop of Georgia, Commemorated on June 13;

Maritsa (Hebrus) River Mouth (Aegean Sea)

Aenus (Ainos, Enos), Thrace, Bulgaria (Maritza (Hebrus) River Mouth, Roman Road Via Egnatia)
Aenus; Monkmartyr Agathangelus of Esphigmenou of Mt Athos, Commemorated on April 19; Martyr Sophia of Thrace, Commemorated on June 4;

Enos, Thrace, Bulgaria (Maritza River Mouth)
Enos, Thrace; Monkmartyr Agathangelus of Esphigmenou of Mt Athos, Commemorated on April 19;

Trajanopolis, Thrace, Bulgaria (Via Egnatia, Maritza River Mouth)
Trajanopolis; Virginmartyr Glyceria at Heraclea, Commemorated on May 13 ;

Bulgaria, Southwestern Bulgaria, Nestos River Folder (Aegean Sea)

Nestos River

Rila Mountains
Rila Mountains; Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated August 18 ; Translation of the relics of Venerable St John the Abbot of Rila in Bulgaria;

Nestos River Source (Rila Mountains)
Nestos River Source (Rila Mountains);

Bansk, Southwestern Bulgaria (Bansko, in the Highlands, Nestos River)
Bansko; St Stephen Miliutin of Serbia, Commemorated October 30 ; Venerable Dragutin (Theoctistus in Monasticism) of Serbia, Commemorated on October 30 ; Venerable Paisius of Hilandar, Bulgaria, Commemorated on June 19;

Nestos River Mouth (Philippi, Thasos, Thrace)
Nestos River Mouth (Thasos, Thrace);

Rhodope Region
Rhodope Region;

Meglen (Meglena, Almopia), Bulgaria or Macedonia (Axios River Mouth)
Meglena (Meglen), Macedonia or Bulgaria; New Martyr Chryse (Zlata) of Meglena, Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 13; Translation of the relics of St Hilarion the Bishop of Meglin in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 21;

Bulgaria, Western Bulgaria, Strymon River Folder (Philippi, Roman Road, Agean Sea)

Strymon River

Strymon (Struma) River Source (Vitosha Mt., Bulgaria)

Mount Vitosha (overlooking Sophia, Bulgaria)
Mount Vitosha;

Strymon (Struma) River 1 (Pernik, Bulgaria)

Strymon River 2 (Zemen)

Strymon River 3

Dragovistica River Mouth (Strymon River 3)

Dragovistica River

Dolno River

Strymon River 4

Strymon River 5

Strymon River 6 (Rila, Bulgaria)

Bulgaria, Western Bulgaria, Strymon River 6, Rila River Folder

Rila River

Rila River Source

Rila Monastery, Macedonia (Rila River Source) 927
Rila Monastery ; Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated August 18 ; Icon of the Mother of God of the Seven Lakes, Commemorated on October 13 ; New Martyr Ignatius the Monk of Bulgaria, Commemorated October 8 ; Translation of the relics of Venerable St John the Abbot of Rila in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 19 ; Blessed Peter the King of Bulgaria, Commemorated January 30 ; New Martyr Ignatius the Martyr of Mt Athos, Commemorated on May 1; Venerable Paisius of Hilandar, Bulgaria, Commemorated on June 19; Translation of the relics of the Venerable John of Rila from Trnovo to Rila, Commemorated on July 1;

Rila River Mouith (Strymon River 6)

Strymon River 8 (Kresna Gorge)

Heraclea Sintica, Thrace, Bulgaria (Strumitza Mouth, Strymon River 9)
Heraclea Sintica; Hieromartyr Philip the Bishop of Heraclea, Commemorated on August 20; St Anastasius of the Strumitza Eparchy, Commemorated on August 29; 40 Women Martyrs at Heraclea, in Thrace, Commemorated September 1 ; St Sebastiana the Martyr and Disciple of St Paul the Apostle at Heraclea, Commemorated September 16 ; Venerable Philotheus the Patriarch of Constantinople, Commemorated on October 8 ; Martyr Pausilippus of Heraclea in Thrace, Commemorated on April 8 ;

Strymon River 9 (Heraclea, Thrace)

Bulgaria, Western Bulgaria, Strymon River 9, Strumitza River Folder

Strumitza River

Strumitza River Source

Strumitza River 1 (Strumica)

Strumica, Bulgaria (Strumitza River 1)
Strumica; St Anastasius of the Strumitza Eparchy, Commemorated on August 29; New Martyr Anastasius, a Bulgarian, was born in 1774 in the Strumnitsk diocese, in the village of Radovicha. His parents gave him over to military studies. When the youth was twenty years old, he happened to be with his teacher in Thessalonica. The master wanted to sell some Turkish clothes without paying the customary duty. He told his disciple to dress himself as a Turk and go into the city. The collectors of the duty stopped him and demanded the written receipt of duty payment. The youth answered that he was a Turk. Then the collectors demanded that he recite the salutation with the Moslem prayer. The youth became confused and quiet. They ordered him to appear before the commander, who in interrogating the martyr suggested that he become a Moslem. The youth refused, and they led him away to the chief tax-collector. official tried at first to flatter, then to threaten the martyr, who admitted his civil guilt, but would not agree to betray the holy Faith. The tax-collector made this known to the mufti, who in turn answered, “You have in one hand the sword, in the other the law, use what you wish.” knew that by law the tax-collector ought to collect the tax from the youth, but then by judgment of the mufti he would not be a follower of Mohammed, armed with a sword. When he had received such an answer, the commander of the haraje sent the youth to the local mullah together with five Turks, who were obliged to testify that the Christian had blasphemed the Moslem religion. the accusations of blasphemy against Mohammed by these witnesses, the youth honestly answered that he did not blaspheme him, but he would allow having shown disrespect to Moslem customs. They subjected him to torture and condemned him to hanging. Along the way, they continued to urge the martyr to renounce his faith, but bleeding and exhausted, he fell upon the wayside and died on August 29, 1794.

Strumitza River Mouth (Heraclea, Struma River 9)

Dremvitsa, Macedonia
Dremvitsa, Macedonia St Clement the Bishop of Ochrid and Enlightener of the Bulgarians, Commemorated November 25 ;

Strymon River 10 (Lake Kerkini)

Serres, Macedonia (fertile plain, Strymon River 10)
Serres; New Martyr Nicetas of Pojani and Serres, Commemorated on April 4; New Martyr Acacius the Martyr of Mt Athos and Seres, Commemorated on May 1;

Strymon River 11 (Serres)

Angitis River Mouth (Strymon River 11)

Strymon River 12 (Amphipolis)

Amphipolis, Macedonia (Strymon (Struma) River 12) Roman Road Via Egnatia
Amphipolis; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated July 30 ; Apostle Silvanus of the Seventy, Commemorated on July 30; Martyr Auctus at Amphipolis in Macedonia, Commemorated on November 7 ; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Hieromartyr Mocius the Presbyter of Amphipolis in Macedonia, Commemorated on May 11;

Strymon (Struma) River Mouth (Strymonian Gulf, Agean Sea)

Chrysopolis, Macedonia (Eion, Roman Road, Strymon River Mouth)
Chrysopolis, Macedonia (Eion) ; Venerable Philotheus of Dionysiou of Mount Athos, Commemorated on October 21;

Philippi, Eastern Macedonia, Trajanopolis in Thrace (Roman Road, near Strymon River Mouth)
Philippi; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated July 30 ; Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated December 20 ; Apostle Silas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; SILAS, MISSIONARY COMPANION OF PAUL, Commemorated January 26 ; LYDIA, DORCAS AND PHOEBE, CO-WORKERS WITH THE APOSTLES, 27 JAN. NT ; POLYCARP; Hieromartyr Polycarp the Bishop of Smyrna, Commemorated February 23 ; St Eustathius the Archbishop of Antioch, Commemorated February 21 ; Apostle Epaphroditus of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 30; St. Lydia of Philippi, Commemorated on May 20;

Neapolis, Thessalonica (between Strymon and Nestos Rivers)
Neapolis, Thessalonica; Hieromartyr Ignatius the God-Bearer the Bishop of Antioch, Commemorated December 20 ;

Stagira (ancient city), Chalkidice, Macedonia (Aristotle's home)
Stagira (ancient city), Chalkidice, Macedonia; Greece, 364 BC - 322 BC, Greek Philosopher and Scientist Aristotle; THOMAS AQUINAS, PRIEST, FRIAR, AND THEOLOGIAN (28 JAN 1274);

Bulgaria, Northern Bulgaria, Danube Rivers in Bulgaria Folder

Danube River in Bulgaria

Danube River 12 (Iskar River)

Bulgaria, Northern, Danube River 12, Iskar River Folder

Iskar River

Iskar River Source (Dmaga Peak, Rila, Bulgaria)

Iscar River 1 (Sophia)

Sofia, Bulgaria (at the foot of Mt Vitosha, Iskar River 1)
Sofia, occupies a strategic position at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula ; Translation of the relics of St Alexander Nevsky, Commemorated August 30 ; Venerable Hierotheus the Younger of Iveron of Mt Athos, Commemorated on September 13; Greatmartyr George the New at Sofia, Bulgaria, Commemorated on May 26;

Lesnov, Sophia Province , Bulgaria
Lesnov, Sophia Province , Bulgaria; Venerable Gabriel, Founder of Lesnov Monastery in Bulgaria, Commemorated January 15 ;

Patriarchical Cathedral of Alexander Neversky at Sofia, 1882
Patriarchical Cathedral of Alexander Neversky at Sofia; Bulgarian Orthodox Church; Translation of the relics of St Alexander Nevsky, Commemorated August 30;

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia, Bulgaria, 1882
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia, Bulgaria; Translation of the relics of St Alexander Nevsky, Commemorated on August 30;

Sofia (at the foot of Mt Vitosha, Roman Road Via Militaris)
Sofia occupies a strategic position at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula. Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18; Translation of the relics of St Alexander Nevsky, Commemorated August 30; Greatmartyr George the New at Sofia, Bulgaria, Commemorated on May 26;

Roman Road, Via Militaris 4, Serdica or Sofia, Bulgaria
Roman Road, Via Militaris 4, Sofia, Bulgaria Sofia occupies a strategic position at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula, on Roman Road. Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18; Translation of the relics of St Alexander Nevsky, Commemorated August 30; Greatmartyr George the New at Sofia, Bulgaria, Commemorated on May 26;

Skrino in the Sredets district [now Sofia]
Repose of the Venerable John the Abbot of Rila, Commemorated on August 18;

Sredets (Sofia, Iscar River 1)
Sredets, Sofia; Translation of the relics of Venerable St John the Abbot of Rila in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 19 ; Greatmartyr George the New at Sofia, Bulgaria, Commemorated on May 26;

Iskar River Mouth (Northwest border of Builgaria) at Danube River 12

Vidin, Bulgaria (Iskar River Mouth, Danube River 12)
Vidin, Bulgaria ; Venerable Romilus of Ravenica, Commemorated January 16 ;

village of Slatena, Meglena diocese, on the border of Bulgaria and Serbia
village of Slatena, Meglena diocese, on the border of Bulgaria and Serbia; New Martyr Chryse (Zlata) of Meglena, Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 13;

Danube River 13 (Oltenia)

Bulgaria, Northern, Danube River 13, Cherni Osam River Folder

Cherni Osam River

Cherni Osam River Source (along the border)

Cherni Osam River 1 (Cherni Osam)

Cherni Osam River 2 (Moesia)

Moesia, Bulgaria (Cherni Osam River 2)
Moesia; Hieromartyr Apollinaris the Bishop of Ravenna, Commemorated on July 23 ; Martyr Pasikrates in Moesia, Bulgaria, Commemorated on April 24;

Cherni Osam River 3 (Slavyanovo)

Cherni Osam River Mouth (Danube River 13, Oltenia)

Bulgaria, Northern, Danube River 13, Yantra River Folder, Trnovo

Yantra River

Yantra River Source (Central Balkan Mountains)
Central Balkan Mountains, Stara Planina;

Yantra River 1

Sokolsky Monastery, Bulgaria (Yantra River 1) 1833
Sokolsky Monastery, Bulgaria; Icon of the Mother of God "Sokolsky", Commemorated February 1 ;

Gabrovo, Bulgaria (Yantra River 1)
Gabrovo, Bulgaria ; Hieromartyr Damascene of Hilandar of Mt Athos, Commemorated January 16 ; New Martyr Lazarus of Bulgaria, Commemorated on April 23;

Yantra River 2 (Tarnvo)

Trnovo, Bulgaria (Yantra River 2.3)
Trnovo, Bulgaria (Yantra River 2); New Martyr Ignatius the Monk of Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 8; Venerable Parasceva (Petka) of Serbia, Commemorated on October 14 ; Translation of the relics of Venerable St John the Abbot of Rila in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 19 ; Translation of the relics of St Hilarion the Bishop of Meglin in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 21 ; Righteous Michael the soldier of Potouka, Bulgaria, Commemorated on November 22 ; St Philothea of Thrace, the Protectress of Romania, Commemorated December 7 ; St Sava I, First Archbishop of Serbia, Commemorated January 12 ; Venerable Gabriel, Founder of Lesnov Monastery in Bulgaria, Commemorated January 15 ; Hieromartyr Damascene of Hilandar of Mt Athos, Commemorated January 16 ; Venerable Romilus of Ravenica, Commemorated January 16 ; St Theodosius the Bulgarian, with his disciple Romanos, Commemorated February 17 ; The Burning of Saint Sava's relics, Commemorated on April 27;

Potuka, Bulgaria (Yantra River 2.3, across river from Trnovo)
Potuka; Righteous Michael the soldier of Potouka, Bulgaria, Commemorated on November 22 ;

Trovono Cathedral, 1000, 11th Century
Trovono Cathedral, 11th Century; Venerable Parasceva (Petka) of Serbia, Commemorated on October 14;

Yantra River 3

Nicopolis ad Istrum, Moesia (Gothic Settelment, Northern Bulgaria Wallacia)
Nicopolis ad Istrum, Moesia (Gothic Settelment, Northern Bulgaria Wallacia); Moesia; Martyr Sava the Goth of Wallachia, Commemorated on April 15;

Yantra River 4

Yantra River Mouth (Danube River 13)

Svishtov, Bulgaria (Yantra River Mouth, Danube River 13)
Svishtov, Bulgaria ; Hieromartyr Damascene of Hilandar of Mt Athos, Commemorated January 16 ;

Bulgaria, Northern, Danube River 13.5, Rusenski River Folder

Rusenski Lom River

Rusenski Lom River Source (Razgrad, Bulgaria)

Veliki Preslav, high point, Bulgarian Capital, 893-972 (Rivers Source)
Veliki Preslav, high point, Bulgarian Capital, 893-972; Blessed Peter, King of Bulgaria, Commemorated on January 30;

Plisk (high point, first capital of Danubian Bulgaria, 681-893, Rusenski Lom River Source)
Plisk; Martyr Boyan, Prince of Bulgaria, Commemorated on March 28; St Nahum of Ochrid, the Disciple of St Cyril and Methodius, Equals of the Apostles, Commemorated on June 20 ;

Great Basilica, Pliska (Cathedral of First Bulgarian Empire) 864
Great Basilica, Pliska (Cathedral of First Bulgarian Empire); Equal of the Apostles Clement of Ochrid, Bishop of Greater Macedonia, and his companions, Commemorated on July 27;

Rusenski Lom River Mouth (Danube River 13)

Ruschuk, Bulgaria (Rusenski Lom River Mouth, Danube River 13)
Ruschuk, Bulgaria; St Demetrius of Basarbov in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 26; Demetrius of Basarabov in Bulgaria lived in the wilderness as an ascetic near the city of Ruschuk, Bulgaria. He died in 1685. On July 8, 1779 his relics were transferred to Bucharest.

Basarbov Monastery (Rusenski Lom River Mouth, Danube River 13) 1185
Basarbov Monestary; St Demetrius of Basarbov in Bulgaria, Commemorated on October 26 ;

Danube River 14 (Bucharest)

Bulgaria, Northern, Danube River 14, Argus River from Bucharest

Dorostolum, Bulgaria (Silistra, Danube River 14.5, Southeast of Bucharest)
Dorostolum (Dorostorum); Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria, Commemorated on July 18; Martyr Dasius of Dorostorum, Commemorated November 20 ; Martyr Pasikrates in Moesia, Bulgaria, Commemorated on April 24; Martyr Dada at Dorostolum, Commemorated on April 28;

Silistra, Bulgaria (Dorostolum, Danube River 14)
Silistra, Bulgaria (Dorostolum, Danube River 14); Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria, Commemorated on July 18; Martyr Dasius of Dorostorum, Commemorated November 20 ; Martyr Pasikrates in Moesia, Bulgaria, Commemorated on April 24; Martyr Dada at Dorostolum, Commemorated on April 28;

Danube River 15 (Overview 3)

Bulgaria, Northeastern Bulgaria, Povadiya River Folder, Black Sea

Povadiya River

Provadiya River Source (Studenitsa Monastery)

Plisk (high point, first capital of Danubian Bulgaria, 681-893, Provadiya River Source)
Plisk; Martyr Boyan, Prince of Bulgaria, Commemorated on March 28; St Nahum of Ochrid, the Disciple of St Cyril and Methodius, Equals of the Apostles, Commemorated on June 20 ;

Epivato Village, Black Sea, Bulgaria
village of Epivato, between Silistra on the Danube and Constantinople; Venerable Parasceva (Petka) of Serbia, Commemorated October 14 ;

Mesembria, Thrace, Bulgaria
Mesembria, Thrace, Bulgaria; Greatmartyr Irene of Thessalonica, Commemorated on May 5 ;

Danube River ( North Border of Bulgaria)

Dobrogea, Bulgaria (on the Romania Border above Povadiya River Mouth)
Dobrogea; Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria, Commemorated on July 18; St Germanus of Dacia Pontica (Dobrogea), Commemorated on February 28 ; Martyrs of Niculitsel, Commemorated on June 4;

Marcianopolis, Northeast Bulgaria (Lake Beloslav), Gov Tiris , bolt of lightning struck him on judgement seat
Marcianopolis (Lake Beloslav); Martyr Theodotus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on September 15 ; Holy Martyr Theodotus suffered with Saints Maximus and Asklepiodote, at the beginning of the fourth century under the emperor Maximian Galerius (305-311). Eminent citizens of the city of Marcianopolis, Maximus, and Asklepiodote led a devout Christian life. By their example they brought many to faith in Christ and to holy Baptism. the persecution Tiris, the governor of Thrace, went around the city subject to him and persecuted those believing in Christ. He summoned Maximus and Asklepiodote before him and demanded they abandon the Christian Faith. When the martyrs refused, he ordered that they be beaten. a certain pious man named Theodotus, began to reproach the governor for his inhumanity and cruelty. They seized him also, and hanging him on a tree, they tortured him with iron hooks. After this, they threw the three martyrs into prison. Tiris traveled for two weeks more and took the holy martyrs along with him. the city of Adrianopolis he put them to still greater tortures, commanding that their bodies be scorched with white-hot plates. In the midst of their suffering they heard a Voice from Heaven encouraging them to persevere. After several days of torture they threw the martyrs to be eaten by wild beasts in the circus, but instead the she-bear released upon Saints Maximus and Theodotus began to cuddle up to them. Asklepiodote was tied to a bull, but she seemed to be rooted to the spot, and did not budge. Tiris resumed the journey and stopped in the village of Saltis before reaching the city of Philippopolis. Again he urged the martyrs to renounce Christ. When they refused, he ordered them to be beheaded. God’s wrath overtook him when a bolt of lightning struck him as he sat upon the judgment seat. St Sebastiana the Martyr and Disciple of St Paul the Apostle at Heraclea, Commemorated on September 16 ; Martyr Melitina of Marcianopolis, Commemorated September 16 ;

Myzean city of Udum, Bulgaria (Provadiya River Mouth, Black Sea)
Myzean city of Udum; St Sebastiana the Martyr and Disciple of St Paul the Apostle at Heraclea, Commemorated September 16 ; Hieromartyr Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre, Commemorated on June 5;

Udum, Bulgaria (Provadiya River Mouth, Black Sea)
Myzean city of Udum; St Sebastiana the Martyr and Disciple of St Paul the Apostle at Heraclea, Commemorated September 16 ; Hieromartyr Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre, Commemorated on June 5;

Varna, Bulgaria (Provadiya River Mouth, Black Sea)
Myzean city of Udum; St Sebastiana the Martyr and Disciple of St Paul the Apostle at Heraclea, Commemorated September 16 ; Hieromartyr Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre, Commemorated on June 5;

Provadiya River Mouth (Lake Beloslav, Black Sea)

Devnya River Mouth (Lake Beloslav)

Bulgaria, Roman Roads Folder

Bulgaria, Roman Roads, Via Militaris Folder, from Belgrade, Serbia to Adrianopolis, Bulgaia

Roman Road, Via Militarius

Roman Road, Via Militarius 1, Singidunum (Belgrade)
Roman Road, Via Militarius 1, Singidunum (Belgrade); Roman Road, Via Militarius;

Roman Road, Via Militarius 2 , Viminacium, Roman Moesia Superior (Prima) Capitol
Viminacium, capital of Roman Moesia Superior (Prima), on Via Militarius; Saint Donatus, Bishop of Euroea in Epirus, Commemorated on April 30;

Roman Road, Via Militaris 3 (Naissus or Nish, Serbia (South Morava River 5)
Roman Road, Via Militaris 3 (Naissus or Nish, Serbia (South Morava River 5) Nish, Serbia; Equal of the Apostles and Emperor Constantine with his Mother Helen, Commemorated on May 21;

Hemus Pass
Saturninus and Traianus blocked the Goths near the passes of the Haemus, building a line of fortifications that repulsed the Gothic attacks. The two generals hoped to force the Goths to suffer through the cold winter and the scarcity of food in order to force them into submission; alternatively, the two generals planned to call back the sentinels, luring the Goths of Fritigern into an open-field battle in the plains between the Haemus and the Danube, where they were confident of winning.[2] Fritigern did not accept battle, but enlisted Hunnic and Alan reinforcements. Saturninus realised that he could no longer fight the enemy with his troops, lifted the block on the mountain passes, and retired.[3] magister militum per Thracias, Emperor Theodosius I, who had succeeded Valens after his death in the Battle of Adrianople, entrusted Saturninus to negotiate peace with the Goths: in October 382 he signed a treaty according to which the Goths were to live in the Low Danube as foederati. successful negotiation guaranteed Saturninus the imperial favour, and he was appointed consul for the year 383. Themistius dedicated to him a panegyric. 400 Saturninus was serving under the Eastern Emperor Arcadius, when the magister militum Gainas deposed and exiled him.

Roman Road, Via Militaris 5, Philippopolis, Thrace, Bulgaria (Maritza River 5)
Philippoplis; Martyr Severus and 38 Soldiers in Thrace, Commemorated on August 20; Martyr Theodotus of Adrianopolis, Commemorated on September 15 ; New Martyr Ignatius the Monk of Bulgaria, Commemorated October 8 ; Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, Commemorated November 5 ; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on January 4; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on March 8; New Martyr Ignatius the Martyr of Mt Athos, Commemorated on May 1; Martyr Alexander of Rome, Commemorated on May 13; Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, Commemorated on May 31 ; Venerable Paisius of Hilandar, Bulgaria, Commemorated on June 19;

Bulgaria, Roman Roads, Roman Roads Triangle Folder, Via Egnatia, Eastern Triangle

Kutmichevitsa, Southwest Macedonia or Albania (K Triangle Area)
Kutmichevitsa, (K Triangle Area), the northwestern part of the region of Macedonia and the southern part of Albania, broadly taken to be the area included in the triangle ; Equal of the Apostles Clement of Ochrid the Bishop of Greater Macedonia, Commemorated on July 27 ;

Kutmichevitsa Triangle - K Triangle
Kutmichevitsa triangle Saloniki-Skopje-Vlora; St Clement the Bishop of Ochrid and Enlightener of the Bulgarians, Commemorated on November 25;

K Triangle Saloniki-Skopje-Vlora
Kutmichevitsa triangle Saloniki-Skopje-Vlora; St Clement the Bishop of Ochrid and Enlightener of the Bulgarians, Commemorated on November 25;

K Triangle Skopje-Salonik-Vlora
Kutmichevitsa triangle Saloniki-Skopje-Vlora; St Clement the Bishop of Ochrid and Enlightener of the Bulgarians, Commemorated on November 25;

K Triangle Vlora-Saloniki-Skopje

Valona, Albania (Aous River Mouth)
Valona, Albania; Venerable Romilus of Ravenica, Commemorated January 16 ; Greatmartyr Anastasia the œDeliverer from PotionsÂ, Commemorated on December 22 ; Martyr Theodota who suffered under Diocletian, Commemorated December 22 ; Virginmartyr Anysia at Thessalonica, Commemorated on December 30 ;

Via Egnatia Folder (Main East West Roman Road, K Triangle)

Via Egnatia (The East West Roman Road, Eastern Triangle)
Key towns along the Via Egnatia East West Roman Road Listed from west to east: Ancient name Modern name Modern country Dyrrachium, later Epidamnos Durras Albania Claudiana Peqin Albania Apollonia By the village of Pojani (7 km W of Fier) Albania Masio Scampa Elbasan Albania Lychnida Ohrid North Macedonia Resen Resen North Macedonia Heraclea Bitola North Macedonia Florina Florina Greece Edessa Edessa Greece Pella Pella Greece Thessalonike Thessaloniki Greece Pydna Possibly Kitros, 6 km SW of modern Pydna Greece Amphipolis Amfipoli Greece Philippi 14 km NW of Kavala Greece Neapolis Kavala Greece Traianoupolis Traianoupoli Greece Kypsela Turkey Aenus Enez Turkey Aproi Village of Kermeyan Turkey Adrianople Edirne (not on the main Via Egnatia) Turkey Perinthus, later Heraclea Village of MarmaraereaŸlisi Turkey Caenophrurium Sinekli in Silivri district Turkey Selymbria Silivri Turkey Melantias Turkey Rhegion Kaekmece, 15 km W of Istanbul Turkey Byzantium, later Constantinople Istanbul Turkey

Via Egnatia - Dyrrachium
Via Egnatia - Dyrrachium;

Via Egnatia - Claudiana
Via Egnatia - Claudiana ;

Via Egnatia - Bottom of the K Triangle Claudiana to Thessalonica

Via Egnatia - Thessalonica
Via Egnatia - Thessalonica;

Via Egnatia - Pydna
Via Egnatia - Pydna;

Via Egnatia - Pydna to Thessalonica

Via Egnatia - Amphipolis
Via Egnatia - Amphipolis;

Via Egnatia - Philippi
Via Egnatia - Philippi;

Via Egnatia - Neapolis
Via Egnatia - Neapolis;

Via Egnatia - Traianoupolis
Via Egnatia - Traianoupolis;

Via Egnatia - Kypsela
Via Egnatia - Kypsela ;

Via Egnatia - Kypsela to Perinthus

Via Egnatia - Aenus or Enos
Via Egnatia - Aenus or Enos;

Via Egnatia - Enos to Kypsela

Via Egnatia - Apros
Via Egnatia - Apros;

Roman Road, Via Egnatia - Adrianople
Via Egnatia - Adrianople ;

Via Egnatia - Drizipara
Drizipara, Bulgaria (on Via Egnatia, Martyr Alexander of Rome); Martyr Alexander of Rome, Commemorated on May 13;

Via Egnatia - Perinthus or Heraclea Thracia
Via Egnatia - Perinthus or Heraclea;

Via Egnatia - Caenophrurium
Via Egnatia - Caenophrurium;

Via Egnatia - Selymbria
Via Egnatia - Selymbria ;

Via Egnatia - Melantias
Via Egnatia - Melantias;

Via Egnatia - Rhegion
Via Egnatia - Rhegion;

Via Egnatia - Byzantium
Via Egnatia - Byzantium;