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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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Saint Anne chapel

Trakiec, Haskovo, Bulgaria

RELIGIONS Islam, Orthodox

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELIGIOUS SITE

DESCRIPTION
The holy spring and the St. Anne chapel are situated in a picturesque wooded area known as Ayazmoto, about 1 km south of the Haskovo village of Trakiets. The Chapel was built entirely with donation and labor from people to whom the healing spring has helped. Believers from all over Bulgaria flow into the holy place, searching for blessing and cure. The healing water from the holy spring is known to help sight problems and many childless couples get their first child after visiting to the chapel.
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE
The history of this holy place began almost two centuries ago. A woman was blind by birth. On the eve of the Assumption of St. Anne an angel appeared to her and said, "You will go to Elehcha (the old name of the village of Trakiets). There, in the woods, there is a stone from which water flows. You'll take that water, wash your eyes and see." The blind woman obeyed the divine command and found the spring. She spent there all night praying and washing her eyes. On next day she was able to see the light for the first time. After the miracle, a chapel was erected at the site, which the locals named after St. Anne, the patron saint of women and children, healer and mother of the Virgin Mary.
INTER-RELIGIOUS RELEVANCE
Hundreds of people suffering from various pains receive healing from St. Anne. To this day, the site is visited by hundreds of pilgrims who spend the night in the chapel washing with holy water from the spring and praying for good health and purification. The patron St. Anne is venerated by all Christians and Muslims alike.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
Each year on July 25th - Assumption of St. Anna, the local community gathers at the chapel. Blessings of water and qurban sacrifices are made. According to a local tradition, the holiday marks the end of the summer, and on that day women should not work least their children fall ill. If there is a pregnant woman in the household, the family pays special attention to the first guest during the day, because it is believed that the baby will be of the same sex as this person.
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    This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.