Traveler's Guide

East Macedonia & Thrace

Monastery complex "Assumption of Mary" - Kardzhali

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The foundation of the complex is laid by Vasil Topuzliev and the locals in 1938. Both rich and poor, Christians and Muslims, were devoted to the building process and spared no expense in labor or building material to construct the temple. It was completed and sanctified on May 29, 1939 by the metropolitan Kiril. A chapel called "Jivopriemni iztochnik" was built in the grounds of the temple. There is a well with wonder-working water next to it.
The basilica is a unique spiritual center where the homeless can enjoy a free lunch in the cafeteria. There is also a religious Sunday school, a computer room,a free medical center and a music room.
Relics which, according to specialists in the field, contain pieces from the Cross of Jesus have been found during the dig in the nearby cult complex Perperikon. A procession brought the unique relics to "Uspenie Bogorodichno" Temple where they have been kept ever since. The relics attract pilgrims from all over the country .
Locals say that a refugee from Western Thrace named Kalina Kehaiova lived in Dzhebiroglar village at the beginning of the 20th century. The Virgin Mary came to her in a dream, and told her that a temple named after her had to be built near the village. Kalina shared the dream with the villagers, but they all ignored her. Some time passed and Kalina had the same dream a couple of times. The Virgin Mary promised to give the villagers a sign if they began building the temple. And so it happened - no sooner had the first dig been made than a folded icon was found. The second dig led to a healing water spring. Amazed by the wonders, the villagers built a wooden chapel.
The relic of an unknown saint of the time of the Thracians’ conversion to Christianity is kept in the temple. The relic was discovered during excavations of the Episcopal Cathedral of Perperikon.It was in a hermetically sealed bronze cross from the 5th -8th century. It is regareded as holding a power derived from the saint. The reason relics are considered sacred is because, for the Orthodox, the separation of body and soul is unnatural.Body and soul both comprise the person, and in the end, body and soul will be reunited; therefore, the body of a saint shares in the "Holiness" of the soul of the saint.As reported by the priest of the temple, many miraculous healings of sick people have been witnessed since the relic was placed in the temple. The healing power of the relic is primarily directed to childless families.


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Father Boyan Saraev
  • Address
    No information available.
  • Contact Information
    uspeniekj@abv.bg
    +359 361 62494

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