In the central Rhodopes among richly nature and heavenly beauty, is located the "Holy Trinity" monastery - Cross Forest, or as it is shown on the Bulgarian map - The 'Cross' Peak.
This 1545 meters high, above sea level, about 500 meters long and 300 meters wide, crossed woodland meadow is surrounded by dense beech forest with abundant lake streams. To reach this holy place, it's necessary to travel by road from Asenovgrad to Smolyan. Pass the Bachkovski monastery and when you get to the road fork for the town of Laki, namely - The Yugovski small inn, head to the south. About 2 kilometers from Laki, turn left towards the village of Borovo and 6 kilometers after that, without deviations you'll get to the Cross Forest. View maps
Today the complex consists of two churches "Cerement of Virgin Mary" and the "Holy Trinity", plus 15 chapels.
The "Holy Trinity" monastery - Cross Forest has rooms for overnight rest, thus allowing its visitors to stay in the monastery, but do not forget, it's a monastery not a hotel. This is a holy ground and You should respect and honour that place.
Prices per night are:
30 lv. / 15,34€ per bed with shared bathroom;
50lv. / 25,56€ per bed with private bathroom;
Phone: +359 88 829 17 77
Events and Holidays
Adoration of the Holy Cross (Cross day 14.09)
On this great festive occasion, The Church calls the believers to give a reverent adoration to the life giving Cross, on which the Savior himself beared the sufferings for the sake of our salvation; on the Cross as a weapon of the Christ's victory over the sins and death.
Adoration of the Holy Cross On the eve of Cross day - 14th of September, worshippers from near and far lands come to pray for health and prosperity during annually vigil at Cross forest in front of the newly built church "Cerement of the Holy Virgin Mary". On the Cross peak, one of the large-scale gatherings in the world takes place. This event happens once throughout the year - on the night of 13th of September. At that time, tens of thousands of believers gather on the hill for a night liturgy in expectance for a miracle. The vigil ends with the sunrise when the sun's rays touch the peak of the huge metal cross.
The Vigil
The Friday liturgy is the one and only in Bulgaria, which is served during the night, the way the monks did in the old monastery.
The Vigil Back then, there were festive processions with a chest containing a piece of wood from the Holy Cross, from Cross forest to the Bachkovo monastery and back. The service took place on Saturday’s eve, in honour of the taking down the body of Jesus Christ from the cross. So we follow that old tradition and serve only during the night - at Saturday's eve, and on Sunday the service are in the morning between 9 and 11 'o clock.
Welcoming the particle of Christ's cross - 24.10.2009
Prime Minister Boyko Borissov donated a piece of Christ's cross to the Holy Trinity Monastery in Cross Forest.
For 21 years, the sacred object has been kept in the secret fund of the National History Museum. The priceless relic was welcomed by the citizens of Plovdiv on Central Square.
Then, with a liturgical procession led by Metropolitan Nikolai and the priests of the diocese, it was carried to the church of St. Marina
On October 24, Metropolitan Nikolai will hand it over to the abbot of the Holy Trinity, Archimandrite Vissarion.
Holy Pentecost. Day of the Holy Trinity
On the fiftieth day of the Lord's resurrection the Holy Spirit came down over the apostles in the form of flames and endowed them with gracious gifts.
The holiday is called Pentecost, because this event happened on the day of the old-time Pentecost holiday that marked the Jews fifty days after Passover.
On the St. Pentecost the evening liturgy is combined with the morning worship (after St. vespers liturgy is carried out), prayers to beg for gifts of the Holy Spirit are worthy for worship and till Pentecost as a sign of spiritual joy of worship, the worshippers don't have to kneel. The holy prokimen: "Whose God is great like ours? Thou are a God who does miracles." - From the altar entry walnut leaves are thrown to the worshippers. The leaves remind about the flames above the apostles' heads. Believers take the leaves in their homes for blessing.
Holy Day of Pentecost is considered from ancient times to be the birthday of the Christ Church, established not by the vanity of human's thoughts, but from divine grace.