Tsŭrkva Sveti Iliya
In the small village of Dobrotitsa in northeastern Bulgaria, stands an old church with a long story. The Orthodox Church named after prophet Eliah was built in 1910 and is in a bad state today.
The village was once called Dobrinovo. Long ago, during the Tarnovo Uprising, the old village in the Tuzluk area was burned down. The surviving women, children, and elders walked two kilometers away and built a new home. At this new site, they later built a church.
Grandfather Dimitar
The Orthodox Church was completed in 1910, the master builder was a local man named ‘Grandfather Dimitar’. The main force behind the project was a young man named Arso Donchev. He had just returned from America. With four gold coins of his own, plus three more from villagers, he started a fund for the construction. Other villagers also joined in.
Sveti Iliya
The parish church is dedicated to Saint Elijah, or Sveti Iliya. He was a prophet and miracle worker who lived in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab in the 9th century BC.
In 1920 the church received its antimension with holy relics. This was placed by church official Father Khlebarov, together with Hieromonk Boris and the local priest, Father Marko Popov. The first priest in the village was Father Georgi. He started a school canteen, supported school plays, and helped with sports. He also created the chronicle book of the village. People called him the red priest.
For many years, the priest was Father Seraphim from Prisoyna, known in daily life as Stoine. With his wife, he sang so well that the small church could not fit all who wanted to attend funerals. After 1944, he moved to Targovishte.
Symbol of the faith
Today, the church shows its age. Corners are damaged, and icon frames are broken. Still, it stands as a symbol of the faith and traditions of this community. In 2010 a service was held again, led by Father Slavcho Prodanov and Father Antony from Omurtag. Even after decades of decline, the church of Dobrotitsa remains a place of memory and hope.
