"The Voice of Angels" 1/2023

The Voice of Angels

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths

(Psalm 25,4)

Our church and monastery in the city of Plovdiv is not visible from the main street. They’re hidden behind the other buildings, but on a street where a stream of people pass, residents of a central neighborhood in the city.

It is often seen how people passing by here stop and briefly look at the facade where there is a figure of Jesus. Some of them cross themselves and continue on their way.

These gestures remind us of the importance of religious symbols and attitudes towards God in a communal, public setting. Some would say that these are just gestures, but that is not exactly the case. The statue of Christ on the facade leaves no one indifferent. On the contrary, it prompts us to think about spiritual values.

In recent years, the statue was damaged, missing a hand. Before the reconstruction began, the question arose as to what his gesture looked like.

Was Jesus pointing with his hand, or was he blessing? Unfortunately, no photo from the past was found, and even the oldest residents of Plovdiv cannot remember exactly what the statue looked like before. Analyzing the posture of the body, we all assumed that Jesus was pointing his finger, like the teacher preaching the good news. Today the statue is complete and in a beautiful and simple way reminds us of God and His Kingdom.

Newsletter № 1/2023

Before

The Capuchin Friars arrived in Bulgaria in 1841. Their mission was to preach the Gospel among the Bulgarians.

Their activities include:

- the religious growth of the people;

- the establishment of parishes;

- social and charitable activities.

In 1924 the brothers bought the building of an abandoned hospital and turned it into a monastery.

In 1938 they built a church next to monastery.

In 1953 under the communist regime the monastery was nationalized.

According to communist practice, the Capuchin friars had to live in rooms adapted in the church, and the monastery was divided into separate dwellings, where people were housed by the regime.

Masses are celebrated in the church all the time and there are brothers who take care of the spiritual life of the people who come to the church.

In 2013 works were carried out to renovate the front facade of the church and replace the windows.

Now

In 2016, the brothers received full rights over the property and after the Ministry of Culture and the Plovdiv Municipality issued the relevant permits, renovation works began in the monastery in March 2020.

The building was in need of major repairs to be able to function safely, and on the other hand, the authorities insisted on bringing the property to a better appearance.

Today the „metamorphosis” pleases the eye and the heart.

Church of Our Lady of the Angels

The monastery and the church of Our Lady of the Angels are not only history and walls. In our temple, the faithful and seekers of God have the opportunity to maintain their relationship with God through the sacraments of Eucharist, Confession, to adore Holy Communion, and to participate in group meetings.

The church is full not only during the temple feast on August 2, but also during the rest of the time many Plovdiv residents come and find here a suitable environment for prayer.

Since the autumn of 2021 a Sunday Mass in English has also been celebrated. The brothers are available for conversation and counsel and also for intercessory prayer.

The restoration work of the monastery has been carried out so far thanks to many benefactors from Bulgaria and abroad.

Renovation work is also ongoing inside the building according to available financial resources. So far, in addition to the construction works on the roof and facade, the main renovation of two floors has been completed, with the replacement of the electrical and plumbing network, floor coverings and interior plastering. We are raising funds to make a sidewalk and purchase interior doors.

We are grateful for any support! God bless you!

Account holder: Orden na Malkite Bratia Kaputzini – Plovdiv

Name of the bank: KBC (before Raiffeisenbank)

IBAN: BG95 RZBB 9155 1004 319 678