St Yoan Rilski Church

Zapalnya and the church "St. Yoan Rilskii"
Evidence of life around Zapalnya has existed since the deepest antiquity, proof of which is the single-nave,
early Byzantine basilica, (IV
century) with
dimensions of 18.2 by 9.2 m, located in the area "Kliselika" (Cherkovishteto) 1 km west of the village. Yet, the demand for new dams required land, thus, the village Zapalnya had to be demolished. The government formally declared it on 05.02.1965 via decree N°
construction of the dam
"Zhrebchevo", was carried out by the Council of
Ministers with decree N°
on 06.06.1961, which ordered the inhabitants
village to dismantle the houses and other buildings and leave the village by 31.12.1962.
The villagers took their belongings and migrated to 22 different settlements.
The only intact building in the dam is the church of the village of Zapalnya "St. Yoan Rilksil". The government ruling during that time had an explicit order to demolish the
Nonetheless,
priest Dragan Stoykov,
opposed them and did not allow
anyone near it by leaving the village last on 01.01.1966.
The church dates around 1891-92, when the 80 families who used to live in Zapalnya donated funds and voluntarily worked to build the church.
The construction was led
and managed personally by the famous Tryavna masters Nenko and Ruyu G.N. Ruevi.
sacred icons for the iconostasis as
as the small movable icons for the
orthodox rituals and holidays were painted by the icon painter Iv. Raev.
During the temple holiday, on October 19, 1892, the day of St. Ivan Riski, the church was sanctified by Bishop
Gervasii of Levki, the Metropolitan of Sliven and temporary
head of the Stara Zagora's diocese. In the course of the unstable year of 1923, the frescos on the walls were completed by the icon artists Kiril Kanchev and Prof.
Mandov. On the west wall they illustrated the names of the 32 people from Zapalnya who died in the Balkan, Inter-Allied and the First World War. The church became popular in its region on account of the magnificent religious artwork and frescos, which were one of the best around Stara Zagora.
After 1966, the property of the church was dispersed to various churches by the Stara Zagora diocese.
The iconostasis was taken away and placed in Tulovo's church. Most
of the moveable icons can also be found there. Three of the five eighty-liter cauldrons that are used for the preparation of the sacred dish called "kurban" were taken to the
"St. Athanasius" located in the village of Zlatna Livada, Chirpan region. Some
of the icons and the bell that still rings to announce the death of a deceased person from Zapalnya are now located in the church "St. Paraskeva", ("St. Petka") in the town of Tvarditsa.
After 1966 the temple was defiled by atheists who vandalised and destroyed the frescos, carving away the names of the people from Zapalnya who sacrificed their lives during the wars. Later on some people used the temple to keep cows, sheep and pigs
In 1973, the 3,800 roof tiles were stolen. The thieves used a chain tractor "Kirovets" and pulled out the iron beams connecting the walls. In order to take the chains from the chandeliers they created holes in the arch. Afterwards the temple was unstable and lasted 40 more years before the whole vault collapsed.
In recent years, Orthodox Christians have tried to preserve it, creating a unique temple where pilgrims and visitors from all over Bulgaria have a place to light a candle and
Christian rituals
according to the
the faith. Despite being
crippled and ravaged by vandals,
the temple stands as a living proof of Christian
dignity and the souls of godless janissaries.
"As if a "tornado" has now swept away
Houses, fences, poles!
That life was vibrant in this village, only the church reveals it! "
This is the last verse from the poem "Zapalnya" by G. Stoyanov (Dermencheto)
Stoyko Popdraganov Stoykov

The church is partially flooded by the Jrebchevo Dam. It can only be reached in the summer. In the other seasons, a boat is needed. An incredible place. Incredible radiance.

Lovely place, mistical experience

Църквата е доста красива по време на много вода в язовира. Това явление обаче е рядко. Спомням си освен през 2021, църквата беше потопена и през 2016 година. Въпреки това е готино местенце

ВНИМАНИЕ: Заключвайте си колите и не оставяйте ценности, ако ще се отдалечавате от колата. Навъртат се джебчии. А сега за самото място: Хубаво е. Когато водата се е отдръпнала се виждат зидовете, стените и дори останки от стълби на потопеното село.

Църквата е във вода част от времето , след това е на сухо. В момента 2019.09 се извършва укрепване и ремонт.

Покрай църквата е разчистено. Подът е пренареден.

Оставайки сам със себе си, Човек може да оцени: "Кой всъщност си!"

В момента църквата е в спасителен ремонт.

Хубаво е да се види

Красиво място през цялата година, атрактивно при високи води на язовира, потапяйки основите на църквата.

Превратната история! Но се оказва, че всичко свято ще пребъде!

Във времето когато водата се отдръпва може да се разходите в църквата и да се снимате там.

Překrásná kulturní památka. V létě zatopena vodou. Stojí za návštěvu.

Просто неописуемо с думи! След многото години под вода, все още изглежда величествена!

Красиво, вълнуващо и мистериозно!

Красиво и романтично място

Място заредено с много енергия