Saint Athanasius Monastery:
Bulgaria
| Copyright 2007 |
Saint Athanasius Monastery is located in the Stara Zagora province of central Bulgaria.
Situated very near the small village of Zlatna Livada, the Saint Athanasius Monastery has been
hidden away from the world around us.
Saint Athanasius Monastery is probably the most important historical monastery in Europe
today as it is by far the oldest monastery throughout the whole of the European Union that is still
active with monks residing there.
Situated very near the small village of Zlatna Livada, the Saint Athanasius Monastery has been
hidden away from the world around us.
Saint Athanasius Monastery is probably the most important historical monastery in Europe
today as it is by far the oldest monastery throughout the whole of the European Union that is still
active with monks residing there.
The Saint Athanasius Monastery was founded in the year 344AD (thats nearly one thousand
seven hundred years ago), the monastery was actually founded by Athanasius of Alexandria.
Story has it that Athanasius of Alexandria was staying in a Roman fortress located not far from
where the monastery sits today, while staying in the fortress Athanasius was strong armed by
the people of the present day city of Stara Zagora to build a monastery, so he did as he was
requested.
seven hundred years ago), the monastery was actually founded by Athanasius of Alexandria.
Story has it that Athanasius of Alexandria was staying in a Roman fortress located not far from
where the monastery sits today, while staying in the fortress Athanasius was strong armed by
the people of the present day city of Stara Zagora to build a monastery, so he did as he was
requested.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
The monastery was not initially called the Saint Athanasius Monastery, this name was
bestowed on the monastery when Athanasius of Alexandria passed away in the year 373 in his
memory.
The monastery is part of the Bulgarian Orthodox Christian faith that the majority of Bulgarians
today still practise. The monastery has had some building work carried out over the centuries,
including some buildings being constructed in the 1980's under the ideas of the late female
politician Lyudmila Zhivkova who passed away in 1981.
bestowed on the monastery when Athanasius of Alexandria passed away in the year 373 in his
memory.
The monastery is part of the Bulgarian Orthodox Christian faith that the majority of Bulgarians
today still practise. The monastery has had some building work carried out over the centuries,
including some buildings being constructed in the 1980's under the ideas of the late female
politician Lyudmila Zhivkova who passed away in 1981.
