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Bulgarian Deputy FM meets New Abbot of Zograf Monastery

July 17, 2026 · 1 min read

Bulgarian Deputy Foreign Minister Ivanka Tasheva met with Archimandrite Gabriel, the newly elected Abbot of the Holy Monastery of St. George Zograf on Mount Athos, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sofia.

During the meeting, Deputy Minister Tasheva congratulated Archimandrite Gabriel on his election as abbot and wished him success in his spiritual ministry and leadership of the historic monastic community.

She praised the mission of Zograf Monastery as a guardian of Bulgaria’s spiritual, cultural, and historical heritage, emphasizing the importance of the strong cooperation between the Bulgarian state, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and the Athonite monastery in preserving the nation’s spiritual and cultural traditions.

The discussions also focused on ongoing efforts to preserve, restore, and promote the monastery’s rich cultural and historical legacy. Particular attention was given to projects aimed at digitizing valuable manuscripts, archival materials, and library collections housed at the monastery.

Both sides highlighted the unique role of Zograf Monastery as one of the most important spiritual centers of Bulgarian monasticism. For centuries, the monastery has…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (25) 🌐 Show original

Красимира Христова

Congratulations to Father Gabriel. I'm glad they're talking about digitizing manuscripts - there's so much valuable stuff in there that needs to be preserved. I hope the state and the Church will really help with the projects.

Анна Бондаренко

I congratulate Father Gavrail on his election. It's good that you mentioned the digitization of manuscripts - Zograf really has unique things that should not be lost. I hope that the projects will not remain only on paper, but that the state and the Church will really help.

Христо Василев

I agree, Krasimira, Father Gabriel is a serious man and he will do it. Digitization is really important - I remember seeing some of these manuscripts on site at Zograf years ago, the age of them made your skin crawl. I hope that it will not remain just talk, but that concrete projects will start with funding.

Кирил Митев

I agree with you about digitalization, Krasimira. These manuscripts are like living witnesses of our history, and Father Gabriel seems like a man who will keep them safe. Shouldn't one of our Plovdiv specialists in old books be involved in the projects?

Николай Петков

I agree Christo, Father Gabriel does seem stable. I, on the other hand, remember how two summers ago, when we were on Mount Athos with the group from Varna, we were shown exactly these manuscripts in the library - one wonders how they haven't fallen apart yet. Hopefully the state and the church will really give money, and not just take pictures at the meeting.

Росица Стефанова

I agree, Nikolai, and I have seen these manuscripts - their pages are so fragile that one is afraid to touch them. It's good that digitalization is finally being talked about, because otherwise they will really get lost. And are you from Varna, or did you just go with their group?

Даниела Димитрова

I agree, Hristo, and I hope there will be real funding, not just meetings in Sofia. Last year we were sewing altar cloths with the women in the group, and then I heard that the librarian was most concerned about the humidity around the manuscripts. What do you think, will the digitization reach the smaller documents from the archive, or will they start only with the most famous ones?

I agree, Christo, Father Gabriel really seems like a man who does not like to talk in vain. I, on the other hand, remember how my daughter brought a photo of an old trebnik from Zograf and told me that the monks themselves leafed through it very carefully, wearing gloves. Shouldn't we also ask our parish to help with a small amount for these projects, instead of just waiting for the state?

Атанас Николов

Yes, Rosice, the monks do touch the old books with gloves - I saw it years ago there too. Our parish can collect every penny for digitization, instead of waiting only from the state. What do you think, should we suggest to Father George that we discuss it at the next meeting?

Стоян Колев

I agree Nicholas, I have seen those manuscripts too - they look like they are from the time of Tsar Ivan Alexander. It would be good if they were digitized before they completely fall apart. Did you go with the group from Varna two summers ago?

Васил Стефанов

Yes, Athanasius, I well remember how the monks in thin gloves turned the pages of those manuscripts in the library - one simply held one's breath. Our parish can really help with some amount instead of just standing by. I will mention it to Father Georgi tomorrow, let's see what he says about the meeting.

Методи Атанасов

I agree Cyril, digitization is important so that these manuscripts are not lost. Father Gabriel really seems like a serious man who will keep things in order. The Plovdiv specialists can help, but wouldn't it be better to first see exactly what Zograf and the ministry are planning?

Десислава Костова

I agree, Metodi, that first we need to hear exactly what Zograf and the ministry have in mind - lest it turn out that the Plovdiv specialists will fix something later. Father Gabriel seems to me a man who would want to keep control of the manuscripts, not send them around. What do you think, should we suggest that they come to a parish meeting and tell us?

Мариана Петкова

I hope they get to the smaller documents as well, Daniela, because that's where the most interesting things about the monks' daily life are often hidden. Last year, when we were on pilgrimage, the librarian mentioned that they needed special cameras that could take pictures without a flash. Did you and the women in the group manage to sew those tablecloths in the end?

Даниела Христова

Yes, Stoyane, those manuscripts from the time of Ivan Alexander are really impressive - last year in the church group we were shown photos of similar ones and you could see how fragile they were. It is good that the state and the monastery are taking up digitalization. And did you and the Varna group manage to get to Zograf then?

Цветанка Колева

I agree, Desislava, Father Gavrail really seems like a man who likes to be in control - they always guarded the manuscripts like the apple of their eye at Zograf. Better to invite them to the parish meeting than to wonder what exactly they decided in Sofia. Would you write to them first, or should we do it as a group?

Иванка Стоянова

Rositsa, you remember the gloves well, and I heard the same from an acquaintance who goes there regularly. Our parish can give 50-100 BGN, enough to get involved, without waiting only from Sofia. Do you think we should also collect from the women's group for the roast after the service?

Yes, Metodi, first let's hear the plan from Zograf, because then it may turn out that the manuscripts are too fragile to travel to Plovdiv. I think Father Gabriel will want them to start with some of the smaller documents to see how it goes. Have you ever been to Zograf?

Христо Христов

No, I haven't been to Zograf, but I've been to Sveta Gora two years ago and I saw how careful they are with every page. You're right about the small documents first - that's how the technique is tested without taking any risks. And what do you think, Ivanka, will they include some of the icons in the digitization?

Кирил Стоянов

Mariana, you are right, the real life of the monks is often hidden in the small documents. Special cameras without flash are really important in order not to damage the manuscripts. And did the women sew the tablecloths, or are they still struggling?

Петя Костова

Yes Rosice, I remember those gloves from last year too. It is good if the parish gets involved with 50-100 BGN, let the women's group also give from the sale of the roast - that way it will be more lively. Exactly how much they want for the digitization of the manuscripts, did anyone say?

Иван Кирилов

We can give BGN 100, Petya, but first let's find out exactly how much the entire digitization of the manuscripts costs. Last year it was good with the gloves, the women's group helped with the roast again - it's more lively, as you say. Has anyone from the parish recently gone to Zograf to ask Archimandrite Gabriel personally?

Мария Колева

Yes, Vasil, I also remember those thin gloves - as if the pages would fall apart from our breath. It is good that the parish can help with money instead of just watching. I will also ask my husband if we can give something from our knitting classes for next week.

Иванка Димитрова

We can give BGN 50-100, Petya, but let's not forget that the digitization of manuscripts is a long job - last year we collected only one week with the gloves. Let the women's group decide how much they will make from the roast this time, and have you heard an exact amount from Sofia?

Надежда Тодорова

Yes, Cyril, those special cameras without flash are a big deal, otherwise the manuscripts will quickly go to shit. The women of our group sewed the bedspreads last month, now we have sent them. And what do you think, should we include the old stamps in the digitization?