“SVETA BOGORODITSA JIVOPRIEMNII IZTOCHNIK” MONASTERY

The “Sveta Bogoroditsa Jivopriemnii Iztochnik” Monastery is an active female monastery. 

It is situated in the eastern slopes of the Pirin Mountains. The monastery was declared a cultural monument of local importance.

The monastery is built on the foundations of an older church, from which are preserved columns, capitals and fragments of sculptured marble frieze. The restoration of the monastery began in March 1888 with the construction of a stone wall and a fountain, and in 1898 it continued with the construction of the church and the rooms for pilgrims. The temple was sanctified in July 1901. Behind the church are the monastic cells. In 1949 the cells and places of pilgrims were destroyed by a fire caused by temporary refugees – Bulgarians from Aegean Macedonia. In March 1898 it became a female monastery. 

The temple has 42 precious icons from the 19th and 20th centuries. The monastery church is one-nave, one-apse with a narthex from the west and a semi-cylindrical vaulted cover. After the last reconstruction thea bell tower was erected above the official entrance, and a nursery room was built next to the northern wall. In the yard there is a holy spring – a well with holy water.

Additional information:
The feast of the monastery is on the Holy Friday (the first Friday after Easter), when it is celebrated as “Life-giving Source” or Little Easter, connected with one of the wonders of the Virgin Mary. The second holiday is St. Panteleimon on 27 July.