Monastery St. Constantine and St. Elena

Located a few kilometers from the city of Varna lies the monastery “St. St. Constantine and Elena”.

The miraculous spring, known as the ayazmoto, located under the sacred seat at the altar of the monastery church, is said to have prompted the establishment of the holy site.

A story indicates that around the 16th century, hermit monks emerged in this region. One night, a violent maritime tempest casts the corpses of shipwrecked individuals onto the coast.

One individual, still living, had a miraculous icon of Saints Constantine and Helena, which he had transported from Constantinople to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.

The surviving traveler presented the image to the monks who arrived onshore with the directive to construct a temple and a monastery. The newly established monastery was called in honor of its patrons, “St. St. Constantine and Elena.”Centuries elapse, during which we possess few precise knowledge on the monastery’s history.

An antiquated icon from the 18th century, which subsequently vanished about 1950, has a scarcely decipherable inscription in Greek: “Summer of the Lord 1717.” Owing to the profound apprehension among Christians in Constantinople…
The house of God was restored by two patriotic Bulgarians, the brothers Agapiy and Theodosii Kantarjievi from Veliko Tarnovo. They arrived in 1832 and started the reconstruction of the two monasteries, utilizing personal wealth and the work of devoted Christians: “St. St. Constantine and Elena” and “St. Dimitar” further south, which would soon be enhanced with additional structures. They cultivate fruit and vegetable gardens, vineyards, and fields. Agapius was appointed abbot of the first monastery, while Theodosius assumed the role at the second.

For a duration of 34 years, until their deaths in 1866 and 1867, they consistently augmented the assets of the monasteries.

In the early 20th century, transformations started in the region. In 1901, a Wine School was established here, and in 1905, a sanatorium for children was inaugurated under the patronage of Queen Eleonora. In 1908, the municipality of Varna formally inaugurated Bulgaria’s first beach resort, named “St. St. Constantine and Elena.”

Currently, the temple features fresh paintings, exquisite chandeliers, intricately carved thrones and prosceniums, an inscribed dome, and an altar. The yard is adorned with vibrant flowers, while the exterior of the fence features an array of plants, fruit trees, flowers, a line of pines, a sculpted rock garden, and exotic trees and shrubs.
The temple houses old icons including inscriptions in Greek and Church Slavonic. The icons of the iconostasis are crafted by the sisters of the Virgin Monastery in Kniazhevo.

Located just a few kilometers from Varna, you’ll find the monastery dedicated to “St. St. Constantine and Elena”. It is believed that the miraculous spring – the ayazmoto, located today beneath the sacred throne in the altar of the monastery church, was the catalyst for the establishment of this holy dwelling. Legend has it that during the 16th century, hermit monks made their presence known in this region. On a fateful night, a fierce tempest crashes against the coast, bringing with it the lifeless forms of those lost at sea. One of them, still living, bore a miraculous icon of Saints Constantine and Helena, which he had brought from Constantinople to deliver to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The lone traveler presented the icon to the monks who had arrived on the shore, instructing them to construct a temple and a monastery. The newly established monastery took its name from its patrons – “St. St. Constantine and Elena”.Centuries roll by, leaving us with scant reliable details regarding the monastery’s history. On an ancient icon from the 18th century, which vanished around 1950, there was a faint inscription in Greek: “Summer of the Lord 1717.” Owing to the profound apprehension among the Christians in Constantinople…
The sacred space was rejuvenated thanks to the efforts of two devoted Bulgarians – the Kantarjievi brothers, Agapiy and Theodosii, hailing from Veliko Tarnovo. In 1832, they made their way here and set about reconstructing two monasteries using their own funds and the dedicated efforts of devoted Christians. The monasteries, “St. St. Constantine and Elena” and “St. Dimitar,” located further south, are on the verge of being revitalized with new structures. They cultivate gardens filled with fruits and vegetables, along with vineyards and expansive fields. Agapius took on the role of abbot at the first monastery, while Theodosius assumed leadership at the second. For a span of 34 years, until their passing in 1866 and 1867, they consistently expanded the holdings of the monasteries.
As the 20th century dawned, the area started to undergo significant transformations. In 1901, a Wine School was established here, and by 1905, it was operating under the patronage of Queen Eleono.A short distance from the vibrant city of Varna, you’ll find the serene monastery known as “St. St. Constantine and Elena”.

The remarkable spring, referred to as the ayazmoto, found beneath the sacred seat at the altar of the monastery church, is believed to have inspired the creation of this holy site. Legend has it that in the 16th century, a group of hermit monks began to make their presence known in this area. One fateful night, a fierce storm at sea washes ashore the bodies of those lost to shipwrecks.

A remarkable individual, still among us, possessed a miraculous icon of Saints Constantine and Helena, which he brought from Constantinople to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The lone traveler showed the image to the monks who had come ashore, instructing them to build a temple and a monastery. The recently founded monastery was named in tribute to its patrons, “St. St. Constantine and Elena.”Centuries pass, and we find ourselves with scant precise knowledge about the history of the monastery.

An old relic from the 18th century, which disappeared around 1950, bears a barely legible inscription in Greek: “Summer of the Lord 1717.” Due to the deep concerns felt by Christians in Constantinople… The house of God was revitalized by two devoted Bulgarians, the brothers Agapiy and Theodosii Kantarjievi from Veliko Tarnovo. In 1832, they set about reconstructing the two monasteries, drawing on their personal wealth and the dedication of committed Christians: “St. St. Constantine and Elena” and “St. Dimitar” to the south, which would soon see the addition of further structures. They nurture gardens filled with fruits and vegetables, along with vineyards and expansive fields. Agapius took on the role of abbot at the first monastery, while Theodosius stepped into the position at the second. For 34 years, right up until their passing in 1866 and 1867, they steadily increased the wealth of the monasteries.

In the early 1900s, the region began to undergo significant changes. In 1901, a Wine School was founded in this location, and by 1905, a sanatorium for children was opened with the support of Queen Eleonora. In 1908, Varna’s municipality proudly opened Bulgaria’s inaugural beach resort, known as “St. St. Constantine and Elena.”

The temple now showcases vibrant paintings, stunning chandeliers, beautifully carved thrones and prosceniums, a dome adorned with inscriptions, and a magnificent altar. The yard bursts with color from vibrant flowers, while the fence showcases a delightful mix of plants, fruit trees, and flowers, complemented by a row of pines, a carefully crafted rock garden, and an assortment of exotic trees and shrubs. The temple is home to ancient icons, featuring inscriptions in both Greek and Church Slavonic. The sisters of the Virgin Monastery in Kniazhevo have skillfully crafted the icons of the iconostasis.

At the beginning of the 20th century, changes began in the area. In 1901, a Wine School was established in this location, followed by the opening of a sanatorium for children in 1905, graciously supported by Queen Eleonora. In 1908, the municipality of Varna proudly inaugurated Bulgaria’s first seaside resort, named “St. St. Constantine and Elena.”

Today, the temple boasts stunning frescoes, exquisite chandeliers, intricately carved thrones, impressive proscenitaries, a beautifully inscribed dome, and a magnificent altar. The yard dazzles with vibrant, stunning flowers. Outside the fence, you’ll find a delightful array of plants, fruit trees, and flowers, complemented by a row of pines. A carefully designed rock garden adds charm, alongside exotic trees and shrubs that enhance the landscape. Within the temple, one can find ancient icons adorned with inscriptions in both Greek and Church Slavonic. The icons of the iconostasis are crafted by the sisters from the Virgin Monastery in Kniazhevo.

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