The Assumption of the Mother of God,

The Orthodox spiritual centre (monastery), “The Assumption of the Mother of God,” is located in
“Gledka” district of the town of Kardzhali. The monastery, built on the initiative of Father Boyan Saruev (known for his dedication as one of the main pillars of the Christian faith in the Rhodope Mountains) and entirely funded by donations, is one of the few newly constructed monasteries in Bulgaria. It is among the most visited holy sites in the country.

Oglari, at the site of what is now the village of Gledka (now “Gledka” district), there lived a refugee from Aegean Thrace named Kalina Kehaiova. One night, in a dream, the Virgin Mary appeared to her, instructing the villagers to build a church in the area called “Chaira,” next to the village, and to dedicate it to her. Two more similar dreams followed, and in the final one, the Virgin Mary promised to give a sign to prove her words. And so it happened—on 28 January 1928, after a Great Blessing of the Waters, Kalina's husband began to dig at the designated spot. After the first spadeful, he discovered an icon rolled up, and, after

Subsequently, a new monolithic and spacious church "St. Assumption of the Virgin Mary" was erected in its place, consecrated on May 29, 1939 (by Metropolitan Kiril of Plovdiv), with the help and efforts of priest Vasil Topuzliev (who served as a priest here for 50 years - until 1983, leaving a lasting mark on the consciousness and spiritual life of everyone) and the local population.
After a few years of interrupted services, in 1990, Father Boyan Saruev (5 May 1956 – 27 December 2023), known for his charitable, missionary, and preaching activities, was installed in the parish church of Gledka district. He brought dozens, possibly hundreds, of people back to the Orthodox Church. In the spring of 2000, Father Boyan had a vision in which the Mother of God instructed him to build a monastery, as the place was holy, and Christians from all over Bulgaria would come to seek solace. According to the words of the Virgin Mary from the vision, the water from the well in the courtyard had miraculous powers and healed

Following the instructions of the Virgin Mary, Father Boyan and his wife, Krasimira, began diligent work. Gradually, the monastery took on its current form, thanks to the love, dedication, and donations of numerous worshippers.
Today, the Orthodox centre, “The Assumption of the Mother of God” (with a three-nave basilica and a tall bell tower, visible from afar), includes an educational centre where classes in religious studies, calligraphy, iconography, church singing, computer skills, a refectory, a conference hall, and a library are held.
Every Saturday and Sunday, the monastery hosts Sunday school (for children on Saturdays and for adults on Sundays). A shelter has been established to provide accommodation and food for the homeless. Later, a social kitchen was also opened at the centre, serving meals to over 100 people—poor individuals from various ethnic groups.

In the monastery's courtyard stands the chapel, “Life-Giving Spring,” built around the well, which, according to the Mother of God, is blessed, and many will find healing there. he crosses, a reliquary
In the monastery’s courtyard stands the chapel “Life-Giving Spring,” built around the well which the Mother of God said is blessed and where many will find healing. The monastery also preserves a valuable relic — a fragment of the Holy Cross of the Lord. It was discovered in 2002 during archaeological excavations of a medieval episcopal center located at the foot of Perperikon. During the excavations in the apse of the episcopal church, bronze pectoral crosses—reliquaries—were found. In one of these crosses, within a small reliquary compartment, fragments of the Holy Cross of the Lord were uncovered. On December 1, 2002, the fragments of the Holy Cross were transferred to the “Dormition of the Virgin Mary” church in the Gledka neighborhood in a liturgical procession organized by Father Boyan Saryev, with the participation of devout Christians from across the country. Today, the relic is permanently displayed in the church for veneration.

Categories

• Landmarks
• Religious temples

Regions

• Kardzhali city

Location