Sofia, August 12, 2020
In 2015, OrthoChristian reported on the Silent Angel documentary, dedicated to Bulgarian centenarian Elder Dobri "Dyado Dobri", “The Saint of Bailovo,” who reposed on February 13, 2018.
Elder Dobri, whose name means “good”, “beautiful” or “kind”, in Church Slavonic, was famed for his love and charity. For years he had walked more than 12.5 miles to reach Sofia from his home in the village of Bailovo to beg for money—however it was later revealed he didn’t do this for himself—he did it all for charity.
After spending years at the entrance of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, with a plastic cup in his hand, he collected about BGN 40,000 ($24,700 today) for the cathedral in Sofia, BGN 10,000 ($12,350 today) for the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Bailovo, and BGN 25,000 ($31,000 today) for the restoration of the Eleshnishki Monastery of the Mother of God located to the east of Sofia, and the local church of the Gorno Kamartsi village.
The inspirational film on this amazing example of what we may call an “Everyday Saint”, can finally be watched with English subtitles.
Elder Dobri is a constant reminder that we should not forget beggars and the poor, as we can never be sure they are not a living saint, a fool for Christ, or even Christ himself hidden to us, but we can be sure that Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (Matt. 25:40).
And to Elder Dobri—Eternal Memory.
Note: At about the 27:30 mark in the film, there is a short segment that promotes syncretism between religions, which unfortunately does a disservice to the memory of Elder Dobri, who served the true, Triune God with all his heart. Reporting on the fact of the release of the film in no way constitutes a promotion by OrthoChristian of syncretism or any syncretistic portions of the film. Orthodox Christianity is the one, true faith, and all other Christian confessions and religions are in error, outside the Church of Christ.
