The Kremikovtsi Monastery St. George

The Kremikovtsi Monastery St. George is situated in the south slopes of Stara Planina Mountain, near Sofia. It is supposed to be built during the reign of Tzar Ivan Aleksandar, during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. In 1382 as a result of the Ottoman invasion the monastery was completely destroyed. 111 later, the Sofia wealthy man Radivoy restored it with his own resources, in memory of his two dead children Theodor and Dragana. The old church also dated from then. It is one-hall church with a narthex and semicircle altar apsis. In 1926 the second church of the monastery was built. The relics of St. George Sofiiski were kept in a specially produced silver casket more than 300 years in the Kremikovtsi Monastery. The wooden iconostasis of the old church, made in the 17-18th century, is rated as a unique monument of the culture. Also interesting is the Kremikovtsi Gospel, written out to order of the Sofia bishop Kalevit in 1497. The scene of the Crucifix with the images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, Marie Magdalene and John the Theologian is on its front side. In the moment the valuable manuscript is treasured in the Church History Archeological Museum in Sofia.