The Presence of Bulgarians in the Curchi Monastery

Abstract

This article explores the historical presence and significant contributions of Bulgarians to the Curchi Monastery, an important spiritual and cultural center in Bessarabia, established in the late 18th century. The monastery served not only as a place of worship but also as a central hub for cultural and educational exchange among various ethnic communities. The article documents the involvement of Bulgarian monks such as Nichifor and Irinarh in 1817, focusing on their origins and roles within the monastic community. It also analyzes the close spiritual ties between the Curchi Monastery and Bulgarian religious institutions, such as the Axion Estinos and Zograf monasteries, highlighting their deep interconnections and mutual influences. The article further examines economic interactions, such as the sale of church items to Marco Zagori, a Bulgarian from Chişinău, in 1822. These items played an important role in establishing religious practices in Bulgarian and Gagauz settlements like Copceac. Additionally, it discusses the educational influence of Bulgarians on the monastery, particularly through figures like Fiodor Ceachir, who contributed to the development of the monastery’s school, founded in 1872. This school played a key role in educating children from diverse backgrounds, including those of Bulgarian descent.