Mount Krestova is one of the largest spiritual centers of Orthodoxy in Bulgaria. Other names - the city of Christ, Cross Mountain, Christ's Mountain, the city of the Cross. This is one of the places where a very significant relic for Christianity is kept. Namely, the Cross of Jesus. But this is not only a place for pilgrimage, but also a beautiful natural landscape that pleases the soul.
General description of Cross Mountain
This mountain is a major Bulgarian spiritual center, annually attracting thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. Mount Krestova (or Hristova) is located in Bulgaria. It is located in a mountainous region in the middle Rhodopes, near the village of Borovo. Its height is more than 1.5 km above sea level. Krestovaya Gora has a whole monastic complex. This Christian monastery is located at around 1545 meters.
The nearest city - Asenovgrad - is located forty-five kilometers from this hill. The monastery is dedicated to a fragment of the cross hidden underground, on which Jesus Christ was crucified. In addition to all this, in a very picturesqueThe place is located Cross Hill. Her photos are good especially in autumn, when all the surroundings to the horizon, like gold, are covered with foliage of yellow hues. The monastery is located on a beautiful clearing in the middle of the forest.
The Cross of the Lord
The name of the mountain is associated with the most, perhaps, the main relic of Christians - the Cross of the Lord. This cross, on which Jesus was crucified, according to legend, was hidden by the enemies of the Christian faith. Only thanks to the desperate efforts of St. Helena Equal to the Apostles was it possible to find the missing relic. A certain Jew Judas pointed to the place of the buried cross. It turned out that the enemies not only threw the cross into the cave, throwing it with various garbage and earth, but also erected a pagan temple on this place.
Christians managed to get the Cross by destroying the pagan shrine and digging it out of the ground. Along with the Cross, there were two other crosses. It was possible to find out on which of the crosses the Savior was crucified by applying the crosses to the body of a hopelessly ill woman. Only the third cross healed her and it was declared authentic.
Subsequently, the Cross of the Lord showed other miracles of healing and even resurrection from the dead. The found shrine was demonstrated in the city square. In order for everyone to see him, the Cross was raised high above their heads. As part of this historic event, the church feast of the Ex altation of the Holy Cross is celebrated.
Legends of Mount Cross
Special veneration of this place is associated with the legend that on the mountain, under the ground, a part of the historical cross was buried, on whichcrucified Jesus Christ. This relic is believed to have powerful healing powers. The monks of the mountain recorded in their chronicles many healings that happened to believers on the top of the mountain.
Several chapels were erected on the holy site. The first of them is dedicated to the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, and the rest to the disciples (Apostles) of Christ.
In the 17th century, Mount Krestova began to have an Orthodox monastery, but in the same century it was destroyed by Muslim fanatics who carried out the forced Islamization of the population. Many monks were killed. Despite this, the worship of the Mount of the Cross did not stop.
Mount Krestova also has a healing consecrated spring, it is located near the chapels.
The Stolen and Found Cross
Shortly before World War II, Tsar Boris III of Bulgaria gave the monastery a cross weighing 66 kilograms (the weight of the cross is twice the age of Christ). Apparently, the Bulgarian crown was not particularly we althy, since the donated cross consisted of iron. However, this circumstance did not save the monastery from robbery - during the war, the cross was stolen. The logic of the robbers who stole the iron cross, which was not of particular value on the market, is incomprehensible.
Be that as it may, after the war, instead of the stolen one, a new cross was erected, already weighing 99 kilograms. And then, by some miracle, they managed to find the old one, and at present it is stored in one of the chapels. Rumor has it that the rediscovered cross has a special healing power.
Special days
The largest number of pilgrims arrive at the monastery complex between September 13-14 of each year. On September 13, the day of veneration of John Chrysostom, tens of thousands of tourists come to stay for the all-night prayer before the feast of the Ex altation of the Cross of the Lord. This day is especially honored by the monks because of the legends of the monastery about the part of the Cross buried on the mountain.
In the monastery complex you can stay for the night, the monks willingly answer any questions. Entrance to the territory is free. There is also a church shop where you can buy literature and icons.
How to get there
The road leading to the complex is Asenovgrad-Smolyan. Can be reached by car or taxi. From Asenovgrad to the mountain about 45 kilometers.
After the village of Bachkovo, you need to make a turn to the south. Krestova Gora is located at a distance of 6000 meters from the village of Borovo, it can be overcome at a brisk pace in an hour.
