Description of the attraction
The Vrachesh monastery is located near the village of Vrachish; a mountain path leads to the monastery. This monastery is one of the largest in the country, as it is home to 8 people (3 novices and 5 nuns) who observe Athonite traditions and remember (and sing) ancient tunes.
It is believed that a male settlement was formed here in the 12th century. The Turks destroyed the holy monastery twice: first in the 15th, then in the 18th centuries. During the last raid, the Turks also destroyed the famous bookshop founded by Peyo.
The restoration of the monastery was carried out in 1890 with donations from local residents. The monastery was rebuilt on the site where the Shepherd Atanas dreamed of the Mother of God: having dug up the ground, he discovered several objects, including the miraculous icon of the Vrachesh Mother of God (now located in the church of St. Clement), as well as the remains of an ancient chandelier and censer.
In 1891, a stone church was added to the monastery complex - a one-nave, domeless basilica with a narthex. The first inhabitant of the monastery after its revival was Ignatius, who became famous as an ascetic. With his death, the monastery became empty again. Since 1935, nun Euphemia and several novices settled here, after which the monastery was transformed into a female one.
In the XX century, the cell buildings and the chapel of St. Clement of Ohridsky.
The monastery is dedicated to the Forty Martyrs of Sebastia, which became a reflection of the patronal feast day. And the second most important day is the Nativity of the Mother of God.
The monastery contains the grave of Mother Cassiana, as well as the relics of Saints Tryphon, Kharlampy, Demetrius, Seraphim of Sarov, Panteleimon and a particle of the Life-giving Cross. The relics of the Forty Martyrs brought from Greece are also kept here.
