Statue of the Exarch Joseph I

Exarch Joseph I – the spiritual unifier of the Bulgarians

If you walk along the central square of Lovech, you cannot help but notice the majestic monument of Exarch Joseph I. This is the only monument in Bulgaria dedicated to this great spiritual leader. It was unveiled on May 11, 2008 on the occasion of the Feast of Lovech.

The sculpture is the work of Seifetin Shekerov-Sefo and represents a bronze figure over 4 meters high, placed on a cross-shaped pedestal. In April 2020 the monument was renovated by the Lovech Municipality, with fallen tiles being restored and cracks being filled.

Who is Exarch Joseph I?

Exarch Joseph I is the man who, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, became a spiritual pillar for Bulgarians, regardless of the borders that separated them. Let us tell you a little more about him!

He was born on May 5, 1840 in the picturesque Balkan town of Kalofer as Lazar Yovchev. From a young age, he was extremely curious and persistent. He studied in Kalofer, and then went to Constantinople, where he learned several languages. His path also took him to Paris, where he graduated from the prestigious Sorbonne University.

But fate had something else in store for him. In 1872, he accepted monastic vows and became Joseph, and only five years later - Exarch of the Bulgarian Exarchate. From that moment on, his life was dedicated to one mission: to unite Bulgarians into one spiritual family!

At a time when Bulgaria was still fighting for independence, Joseph I managed to maintain the unity of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Under his protection, thousands of Bulgarians from Macedonia and Adrianople, who had remained within the Ottoman Empire after 1878, continued to be educated and to preserve their Bulgarian identity.

He opened dozens of schools, sent students to study abroad, and laid the foundation stone of the Iron Church in Constantinople. Thanks to his efforts, by 1913 the exarchate already had 1,373 schools, 13 high schools, and nearly 80,000 students!

Joseph I was not just a clergyman – he was a diplomat and strategist. He conducted difficult negotiations with the Ottoman Empire, fought against foreign influences, and defended Bulgarian interests. Even when political upheavals dealt heavy blows to the exarchate, he remained at the head of the church until the very end. He died in 1915. and was buried in the southern gallery of the church of St. Nedelya in Sofia.

After his death, his entire personal fortune was bequeathed to education and culture. His funds were used to create scholarships for students, prizes for books defending the Orthodox faith, and assistance for poor students. Streets, schools, and even the central square of Lovech are named after him.

Exarch Joseph I is not just a historical figure – he is a symbol of unification and enlightenment. His life and work show how important it is to preserve our traditions, learn, and be united, regardless of circumstances.

As you explore this place, imagine the time when Bulgarians looked to him as their spiritual leader. His story is an inspiration – today and forever!