From the Chronicle of the Capinovo Monastery "St. Nicolai Wonderworker"

Abstract

The subject of this study is the chronicle of the Kapinovo monastery "St. Nicolai the Wonderworker". The royal monastery was founded in 1272 with the patronage of King Constantine Tych-Assen. It is one of the oldest and largest Bulgarian monasteries. During the Ottoman rule, it was pillaged, devastated and set ablaze by kardzhalii (turkish outlaws). It was rebuilt twice in 1835 and 1856. During the Revival it was a significant spiritual, enlightenment and revolutionary center. It is closely linked to the struggles for an independent church, nationwide education and political freedom. In 1830 a monastery school was founded there. Freedom fighters sougters refuge in the monastery: Velchova plot 1835, Captain Dyado Nikola's uprising 1856, Hadji Stavreva rebellion 1862. Under the Russo-Turkish wars (1877-1878) the monastery shelters refugees from the town of Elena, which was burned down by the Turks in November 1877. A Russian military infirmary for the wounded warriors was also organized. Lientenant Colonel Georgi Ulagai and 32 Russian soldiers are buried in the yard of the monastery. Four monks from the holy cloister have reached the pinnacles of hierarchical service by being elected bishops. The monastery is seen as a fortress of Bulgarian spirituality and guardian of our cultural and historical heritage. Keywords: Kapinovo Monastery "St. Nicolai the Wonderworker", Independent Church, Abbot, Revolutionary Center, Bishop, Russo-Turkish Wars (1877-1878), Russian Military Infirmary, Refugees