Chrám Zosnutia Bohorodičky, Orthodox church in Karlovo, Bulgaria.
Chrám Zosnutia Bohorodičky is a three-nave basilica in Karlovo, completed in 1851 by master builder Atanas Maznev of Bratsigovo. It has one apse, three vaults, a walnut iconostasis, and granite columns that were later restored. A 25-metre bell tower with three bells, built in 1897 by Vasil Velev of Veles, stands beside it.
A church of the same name stood on this site until it burned down in 1813. The present building was completed in 1851 under masters from Bratsigovo and Karlovo, and it was consecrated on 18 May 1858. Its 25-metre bell tower with three bells was added in 1897 by master Vasil Velev of Veles. Vasil Levski served here for several years as a singer and deacon.
The church has no wall frescoes; its interior is defined by a walnut iconostasis, the royal doors and the bishop's throne, all carved by the Debar master Anton Stanishev. The icons come from painters of the Samokov school, among them Stanislav Dospevski. A Sunday school founded in 2011 and a choir with a century-old tradition keep the parish active.
The church maintains regular opening hours for prayer services, and visitors should check accessibility with local religious authorities beforehand. Appropriate clothing is expected and respect for this active place of worship is important.
Vasil Levski served in this church as a hierodeacon, and a rare photograph of him is kept in the Sunday school founded in 2011. The school is run by Presbyter Neli Mincheva, wife of the church's priest Hristo Minchev Minchev, who has led the parish since 2004.
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