Peter Parchevich
(1612-1674)
Not smaller is the trace left by the great Bulgarian cleric and patriot Peter Parchevich (1612-1674), whose relics are
kept in the basilica "S. Andrea delle Fratte ", near Piazza di Spagna. A memorial bronze plate is placed next to one of the angels carved by Bernini.
Facing the altar, the commemorative plaque is on the right and is placed by Ambassador Venelin Kotsev on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the death of the great Bulgarian. Peter Parchevich's spiritual path starts at Loreto, when he is only 11 years old. Later, the fate led him to Rome where he study theological and canonical law.
Returning to Bulgaria in 1643, Parchevich organizes an anti-Turkish coalition of the Catholic states. Encouraged and
assisted by Peter Bogdan and Philip Stanislavov, but also with the blessing of the pope, he undertook a number of diplomatic missions in Austria, Hungary, Poland, Venice, Wallachia, Moldova and
Ukraine.
He is the representative of a prominent Chiprovsky family and one of the organizers of the Chiprovsky revolt in 1688. For
his contribution to the defense of Christianity Parchevich was honored by the Habsburgs with Baron's title. The letter Petar Parchevich sends to the papal nuncio in Vienna is in fact his
autobiography, which is the beginning of the autobiographical genre in Bulgarian literature. His letters are exceptional in their composition and style, and wear the signs of literary
works.
We do not know exactly where the relics of the Bulgarian cleric are, as they used to be buried under the marble floors of
the churches in the past. The restoration work done over the centuries has left no trace of where the right place is at the grave. For the Chiprovian writer, "Archbishop Peter Parchevich is one
of the most prominent bulgarians of the 17th Century.
In knowledge, talents and character, he is in the forefront of the Bulgarian Catholic clergy and throughout his spiritual
career he follows only one ideal: the resurrection of Bulgaria.