Archaeologists from the Regional History Museum-Veliko Tarnovo have uncovered traces of a church from the monastery of Saint Theodosius of Turnovsky.
The monastery is situated in the Tarnovo Holy Forest near the village of Samovodene in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. Established in the 14th century AD, it functioned as a Hesychastic monastery under the patronage of Tsar Ivan Alexander.
According to Prof. Vachev from the Regional History Museum-Veliko Tarnovo, the architectural elements of the church indicates that it dates from the period of the Second Bulgarian Empire around the time when Theodosius served as the abbot of the monastery.
It was built using finely cut stone blocks and bricks, with facades decorated with ornamental niches and multi-coloured ceramic elements. The roof cornices feature distinctive “wolf’s teeth” bricks, an architectural design not seen before in Bulgaria.
On the north side, stone columns supported a vaulted gallery, while the altar was divided by a partition richly adorned with frescoes.
The church is situated 550 metres from the Yantra River, which matches historical accounts from the “Life of Saint Theodosius of Turnovo,” written by Ecumenical Patriarch Kallistus. This also confirms the wider monastic complex to be the site of Saint Theodosius’ monastery.
Archaeologists speculate that future excavations may reveal the grave of Saint Roman of Turnovo, another of the monastery’s abbots and close associate of Theodosius. If found, analysis of the remains may confirm historical accounts that Saint Roman of Turnovo suffered from tuberculosis.
Excavations also discovered a 14th-century bronze cross, a communion spoon, and an 18th-century casting mold.
Header Image Credit : BTA
Sources : BTA – Bulgarian News Agency
