ORDO SUPREMUS MILITARIS TEMPLI HIEROSOLYMITANI

Transcription

1 ORDO SUPREMUS MILITARIS TEMPLI HIEROSOLYMITANI GRAND PRIORY OF BULGARIA INFORMATION OSMTH Grand Magistral Council Fall 2016 OSMTH Grand Chapter General meeting & Investiture Sofia BULGARIA OCTOBER 2016 NON NOBIS DOMINE NON NOBIS SED NOMINI TUO DA GLORIAM

2 SOFIA General Information Sofia (pronounced [ˈsɔfijɐ]) is the biggest city and capital of Bulgaria, as well as the 15 th biggest city in the European Union with a population of 1,267,098 people (last officially registered in 2014, unofficially there are around residents). It is the major administrative, industrial, transport, cultural and educational center of the country, concentrating 17 percent of the population and one sixth of the industrial production in Bulgaria. Protected by three mountains, Sofia Kettle enjoys a pleasant temperate continental climate, while its altitude of 550 meters above sea level gives it fourth position among the capitals of Europe. Sofia and the kettle are dominated by Vitosha Mountain. Few capital cities in the world can boast so beautiful, so close and easily accessible Natural Park. With its seven thousand-year history, the city is one of the oldest human settlements in Europe, and its numerous historical and architectural monuments harbor the wise messages of centennial cultural experience. The very name of the city, Sofia (from Greek σοφία, wisdom ), has preserved for the generations one of the most beautiful cultural symbols of Christianity the 'divine wisdom'. The city with the motto It Grows but Does not Age is the successor of the ancient Roman city of Serdica that early in the 2 nd century AD grew into a regional center in the Roman Empire and at the end of the 3 rd century AD it became the capital of the newly established province of Inner Dacia (Dacia Mediterranea). 2

3 The ancient city of Serdica (modern Sofia) was the place where the Edict of Toleration was issued by the Roman emperor Galerius in 311, officially ending the Diocletianic persecution of Christianity. The Edict implicitly granted Christianity the status of "religio licita", a worship recognized and accepted by the Roman Empire. It was the first edict legalizing Christianity, preceding the Edict of Milan of emperors Constantine I and Licinius by two years. Since ancient times the town and its surroundings have been famous for the abunabundance of hot and cold mineral springs, which still continue to gush into the center of modern Sofia, accessible to all, and attracting Sofia citizens and the guests of the capital with their numerous healing qualities. The plenty of antiquities in the city is combined with many modern concert halls, opera, major national museums, art galleries, theatres, clubs, discos, jazz and underground locales offering exciting experiences for all tastes and preferences. The dynamic development of the city in recent years has provided many amenities for business trips, congress tourism, business meetings and trade shows. Sofia is an excellent place for culinary and wine-tasting tourism. Many modern cafes, bars, bistros and restaurants of varied designs offer an impressive menu list, in which any of the gourmet specialties of modern culinary world is hardly absent. Sofia also provides excellent conditions for sport several stadia and well equipped gyms, outdoor tennis courts, golf courses and facilities for horseback riding, spa pools. And only twenty minutes from downtown, during the winter, in the great Vitosha Nature Park one can even ski at night. 3

4 SOFIA LANDMARKS 1. Churches Church of St George Church of St Sophia The Church of St George is a late Roman rotunda dated from 4 th century situated in the courtyard of the Sheraton Sofia Hotel. It was constructed with red bricks and is considered the oldest building in Sofia. It is known for its Medieval frescoes in the central dome dating from 12 th -14 th centuries. The early Byzantine Church of St Sophia was built in the 6th century on the place of an ancient Roman theatre and several earlier churches. During the Second Bulgarian Empire the structure served as the cathedral of the city but was later converted to a mosque by the Ottoman Empire. Boyana Church The Boyana Church is a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church situated on the outskirts of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, in the Boyana quarter. The monument was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in Church of St Petka The tiny Church of St Petka of the Saddlers from the 14 th century featuring some fine frescoes. It is a one-nave edifice dedicated to St Petka, an 11 th century Bulgarian saint. Church of St. Sedmochislenitsi It was created between 1901 and 1902 through the conversion of an abandoned Ottoman mosque, and was inaugurated on 27 July 1903.The so-called Black Mosque was built in 1528 on the order of Suleiman the Magnificent with the intention to be more impressive and beautiful than the Christian churches in the city. 4

5 Church of St Nedelya Alexander Nevsky Cathedral St Nedelya is a medieval church that has suffered destruction through the ages and has been reconstructed many times. It was razed in the assault in 1925 that claimed over 150 victims. After the assault, the church was restored to its modern appearance. Today St Nedelya is a cathedral of the Sofia bishopric of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. The gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built in the early 20 th century in memory of the 200,000 Russian, Ukrainian, Belorussian and Bulgarian soldiers, who died in the Russo-Turkish War, It is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. The cathedral's gold-plated dome is 45 m high, with the bell tower reaching m. Church of St. Paraskeva The church, dedicated to Saint Paraskeva, is the third-largest church in Sofia. The construction of the Church of St Paraskeva was complete by 1930, but the finishing works on the porticos did not cease until Russian Church The Russian Church or the Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker, built in 1914 is dedicated to the patron-saint of the Russian Tsar at the time Nicholas II. The construction was supervised by the architect A. Smirnov, who was building the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral nearby. Cathedral of St Joseph The Roman Catholic cathedral in Sofia was rebuilt at its previous location after it has been destroyed by the Allied bombing raids during World War II. It was inaugurated on 21 May 2006 in the presence of Angelo Cardinal Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals and Cardinal Secretary of State of the Roman Catholic Church. The foundation stone of the new cathedral was laid personally by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Bulgaria in

6 Rila Monastery (Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila) The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery (Bulgarian: Рилски манастир, Rilski manastir) is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is situated in the southwestern Rila Mountains, 117 km (73 mi) south of the capital Sofia in the deep valley of the Rilska River at an elevation of 1,147 m (3,763 ft) above sea level. The monastery is named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila ( AD). Founded in the 10 th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction for both Bulgaria and Southern Europe. In 2015 alone, it attracted 900,000 visitors. 6

7 2. Museums National Historical Museum National Archaeological Museum The National Historical Museum is among the largest museums in Eastern Europe and possesses more than 650,000 artifacts. Ancient Thracian treasures, artifacts from Hellenistic, Roman and Medieval periods, church icons are among the most valuable objects in the collection. The National Archaeological Museum occupies the largest and oldest former Ottoman mosque in the city built in It has a large collection of archaeological artifacts from all over the Balkans including some of the golden Thracian treasures. The museum is among Bulgaria's oldest and was inaugurated in National Museum of Military History The National Military History Museum is a Bulgarian museum based in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, and dedicated to military history. Earth and Man National Museum It's one of the biggest mineralogical museums in the world. It was founded on 30 December 1985 and opened for visitors on 19 June National Museum of Natural History The museum's collection includes over 400 stuffed mammals, over 1,200 species of birds, hundreds of thousands of insects and other invertebrata, as well as samples of about one quarter of the world's mineral species. The National Museum of Natural History was founded in 1889 as the Natural History Museum of Knyaz Ferdinand of Bulgaria (Ferdinand Maximilian Karl Leopold Maria of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha). 7

8 3. Arts and culture National Art Gallery National Gallery Square 500 Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Sofia University It is located on Battenberg Square in the capital city of Sofia, occupying most of the historic and imposing edifice of the former royal palace of Bulgaria, having been established in 1934 and moved to the palace in 1946, after the abolition of the monarchy. The National Gallery Square 500 occupies an imposing 19th century building. The Bulgarian collection was set up in the end of the 19 th century. The permanent exposition features Bulgarian art as well as European, Asian (Buddhist, Japanese and Indian) and African art. There is a separate contemporary art and engraving sections. The museum s exposition area occupies 28 halls and presents 2000 works of art from the collections of National museum complex which includes more than objects. The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is the National Academy of Bulgaria, established in The Academy is autonomous and has a Society of Academicians, Correspondent Members and Foreign Members. It publishes and circulates different scientific works, encyclopedias, dictionaries and journals, and runs its own publishing house. The St. Clement of Okhrid University of Sofia or Sofia University is the oldest higher education institution in Bulgaria, founded on 1 October The university's edifice was constructed between 1924 and 1934 with the financial support of the brothers Evlogi Georgiev and Hristo Georgiev, whose sculptures are now featured on its facade, and has an area of 18,624 m² and a total of 324 premises. 8

9 Ivan Vazov National Theatre The Ivan Vazov National Theatre is Bulgaria's national theatre, as well as the oldest and most respected theatre in the country and one of the important landmarks of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library Founded on 4 April 1878, the library received the status of Bulgarian National Library three years later and the Bulgarian National Revival Archive was merged into it in National Palace of Culture The National Palace of Culture cultural and congressional center the largest multifunctional complex in Southeastern Europe, inaugurated in 1981 and situated in a lush green park surroundings. Coat of arms of Sofia with the motto It Grows but Does not Age 9

10 MEETING HOTEL HOTEL MARINELA, SOFIA Located on the highest point of the city in the most sought after residential area, inspired by new architectural trends and a wondrous blending of tradition and innovation Hotel Marinela has been designed by the renowned Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa, the author of a number of world landmarks. The hotel boasts amazing infrastructure built on m 2 with 442 rooms and elegant suites, including the biggest Presidential suite in Bulgaria, and offering stunning panoramic views over Sofia and Vitosha mountain. Hotel Marinela avails of the biggest hotel conference facilities in the capital, with 13 meeting rooms, the biggest ballroom in Sofia, boardrooms with day light and a meeting hall at the top floor revealing Sofia at your feet. The hotel also offers a modern health club with the biggest hotel swimming pool in the city and the only Japanese garden on the Balkan Peninsula, modelled after the 400-year-old Japanese garden at Hotel New Otani in Tokyo. 10

11 SOFIA AIRPORT Sofia Airport is the main airport of Bulgaria. The airport is located 5 km (3.1 miles) east from the center of Sofia. In 2014 the airport handled 3,815,158 passengers, an 8.9% increase compared to 3,504,326 handled in Regarding the airport-hotel transfer, besides the general information included below, the Grand Priory of Bulgaria will provide organized transport according to further specified schedule and upon received by the Grand Priory of Bulgaria information concerning the number of delegates/guests, date and time of arrival/departure and flight number. The Grand Priory of Bulgaria will reply any such information received with confirmation . Metro Transport links Sofia Airport Metro Station of Line 1(Red line) is situated next to Terminal 2 of the airport and provides a fast connection to the city center. The price of a single ride ticket is 1 lev (~0.50 EUR). The ticket is valid for the entire Sofia Metro network, including the transfer to Line 2 (Blue line). Transfer station between the Red (M1) and Blue (M2) lines is Serdika. Tickets can be purchased from the cashier desks in the metro station or from ticket machines. The Line 2 Metro Station near the meeting Hotel Marinela is James Bourchier. 11

12 A free shuttle is available from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 and the Metro Station between 07:00 and 19:00 h. After 19:00 h the shuttle can be requested at the information desk. Bus Two bus routes (No 84 and 384) connect the airport. Car Line 84 goes to the Sofia University and connects the airport with the city center. Line 384 which connect the airport with the Tsarigradsko shose Metro Station. Brussels Boulevard is the main thoroughfare and the easiest way to reach Sofia Airport. Via Brussels Boulevard and Tsarigradsko shose, Sofia Airport is connected to the city center and eastwards to Trakia motorway (A1). From the northern city areas, Sofia Airport is conveniently accessible via the East Tangent road. Its junction with Botevgradsko Shose opens an exit into Hemus motorway (A2). To the south parts of Sofia and southwest Bulgaria the easy way to connect is via Brussels Boulevard and Boulevard Aleksandar Malinov to Sofia ring road which is connected with Lyulin motorway (A6). Inter-terminal transport Sofia Airport provides a courtesy shuttle between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at every 30 minutes between 07:00h-19:00h. The stop locations of the shuttle bus in front of both terminals are designated by signage and pavement markings. Train A specially build train station was inaugurated in April 2015 and it's connecting the airport with the national railway system of Bulgaria. The new train station is interconnected with Sofia Airport through the Metro System of Sofia. 12

13 Program GMC 2016 Sofia BULGARIA October 2016 Wednesday, 12 October 2016 Arrival day in Sofia 14:00-20:00 Registration at the registration desk in the Meeting Hotel Marinela 20:00-21:00 Welcome drink at the Lobby Bar of Hotel Marinela, hosted by the Grand Priory of Bulgaria (will include a glass of red or white wine under soft music performance) For all interested: the Lobby Bar is open until 24:00, menu includes wide range of drinks, beverages, sandwiches and nuts non hosted. Private one-to-one Meetings with the Grand Master (with previous notice) Private one-to-one Meetings with the Grand Commander (with previous notice) Thursday, 13 October :30-10:30 GMC Meeting 10:30-10:45 Coffee break and snacks 10:45-13:00 GMC Meeting 13:00-14:00 Lunch at restaurant Ambassador (Hotel Marinela) (IMPORTANT: registration badges serve as passes) 14:00-16:00 GMC Meeting 13

14 16:00-16:15 Coffee break and snacks 16:15-18:00 GMC Meeting Evening free time (no dinner included) In the meantime sightseeing tour for guests Friday, 14 October :30-10:30 GCG Meeting 10:30-10:45 Coffee break and snacks 10:45-13:00 GCG Meeting 13:00-14:00 Lunch at restaurant Ambassador (Hotel Marinela) 14:00-15:30 GMC Meeting (IMPORTANT: registration badges serve as passes) 15:30-15:45 Coffee break and snacks 15:45-17:00 GMC Meeting In the meantime sightseeing tour for guests 18:00 Departure of buses for National Historical Museum 18:30-19:30 Visit to the National Historical Museum 250 m walk on asphalt alley from National Historical Museum to Boyana Residence Bulding No. 2 19:30-22:00 Cocktail at Boyana Residence (Building No. 2) The cocktail will include red and white wines, cocktail bites and salads, hot and cold buffets, gourmet buffet with cheeses and salamis, pastries and fruits. (IMPORTANT: registration badges serve as passes) 22:10 Departure of buses for Hotel Marinela Dress code: black suit with four-in-hand black tie 14

15 Saturday, 15 October :30-10:30 GMC Meeting 10:30-10:45 Coffee break and snacks 10:45-13:00 GMC Meeting 13:00-14:00 Lunch at restaurant Ambassador (Hotel Marinela) (IMPORTANT: registration badges serve as passes) 15:30 XXIII C & I of Grand Priory of Bulgaria, Installation of elected Grand Magistral Officers and award presentation of OSMTH About 18:00 End of ceremony 19:30 Reception in Hotel Marinela (Foyer of Sofia Grand Hall) 20:00-23:00 Gala Dinner (Sofia Grand Hall) Dress code: black tie/evening dress with regalia Sunday, 16 October :00 AM Joint Breakfast for all Members, Guest and Friends who are still present Departure Dress code: casual 15

16 Side Program Friends & Family Wednesday, 12 October 2016 Arrival day in Sofia 14:00-20:00 Registration at the registration desk in the Meeting Hotel Marinela 20:00-21:00 Welcome drink at Hotel Marinela (hosted by the Grand Priory of Bulgaria) Dress code: casual Thursday, 13 October :30 Departure of buses from Hotel Marinela for Rila Monastery (about 120 km far from Sofia) 11:00 Arrival at Rila Monastery 11:00-12:30 Visit of Rila Monastery with guide (in English) 12:30 Departure of the buses from Rila Monastery 13:15 Lunch in Dupnitsa (hosted by Commandery Rila of the Grand Priory of Bulgaria) 17:00 Arrival at Hotel Marinela Evening free time (no dinner included) Dress code: casual Friday, 14 October :30-12:30 Sightseeing tour of Sofia 13:00-14:00 Lunch at restaurant Ambassador (Hotel Marinela) (IMPORTANT: registration badges serve as passes) 18:00 Departure of buses for National Historical Museum 16

17 18:30-19:30 Visit to the National Historical Museum 250 m walk on asphalt alley from National Historical Museum to Boyana Residence Bulding No. 2 19:30-22:00 Cocktail at Boyana Residence (Building No. 2) The cocktail will include red and white wines, cocktail bites and salads, hot and cold buffets, gourmet buffet with cheeses and salamis, pastries and fruits. (IMPORTANT: registration badges serve as passes) Dress code: Black Suit with four-in-hand black tie 22:10 Departure of buses for Hotel Marinela Saturday, 15 October :30-13:00 Free time 13:00-14:00 Lunch at restaurant Ambassador (Hotel Marinela) (IMPORTANT: registration badges serve as passes) 15:30 XXIII C & I of Grand Priory of Bulgaria, Installation of elected Grand Magistral Officers and award presentation of OS- MTH About 18:00 End of ceremony 19:30 Reception in Hotel Marinela (Foyer of Sofia Grand Hall) 20:00-23:00 Gala Dinner (Sofia Grand Hall) Dress code: Black Tie/Evening Dress Sunday, 16 October :00 AM Joint Breakfast for all Members, Guest and Friends who are still present Dress code: Casual 17

18 Registration and Conference Fee Before August Members: 300 Euro Friends and Family: 220 Euro August 1 September Members: 350 Euro Friends and Family: 270 Euro Registration dead line 10 th of September 2016 Registrations after the dead line will not be accepted! REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES (for members) Welcome drink: Wednesday The GMC meetings attendance Daily lunches: Thursday, Friday, Saturday Scheduled airport-hotel-airport transfer Scheduled side program Cocktail at Boyana Residence (red and white wines, cocktail bites and salads, hot and cold buffets, gourmet buffet with cheeses and salamis, pastries and fruits) C&I Gala Dinner on Saturday REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES (for family and friends) Welcome drink: Wednesday Daily lunches: Thursday, Friday, Saturday Trips for family and friends, according to scheduled side program Scheduled airport-hotel-airport transfer Cocktail at Boyana Residence (red and white wines, cocktail bites and salads, hot and cold buffets, gourmet buffet with cheeses and salamis, pastries and fruits) C&I Gala Dinner on Saturday 18

19 The Bank Account for the Registration Fee: Bank: Investbank JSC Account Holder s Name: ORTY-Bulgaria Bank Address: Sofia, Bulgaria 25A Cherni vrah blvd. IBAN: BG49IORT in euro. BIC: IORTBGSF Subject/Purpose: Registration and conference fee 19

20 Hotel Room Reservations Hotel Marinela Sofia James Bourchier Boulevard Sofia, BULGARIA Tel Fax Reservation directly through the hotel front desk Code: OSMTH Bulgaria Address: reservations@hotel-marinela.com Preferential Rates Preferential Rates Room types per night in Euro per night in Euro Single Double Standart 55 Euro 65 Euro Deluxe 65 Euro 75 Euro Junior Suite 130 Euro 140 Euro To the following prices do not include city tax of 0,67 Euro per person per night Breakfast included. Other facilities included: Wi-Fi in all areas, indoor pool and fitness center. For any further facilities and services not included in these prices, but offered by the hotel, refer to the Hotel Marinela s front desk or the official website: For any further information: Mr. Angel Kabakchiev CONTACTS Mobile: osmth.gp.bulgaria@gmail.com During the GMC (from 12 October until 16 October 2016) Chvse. Maria Stefanova DOTJ Mobile: Deputy-Chairwoman of the Organization Committee of Grand Priory of Bulgaria Accreditation desk (from 12 October until 16 October 2016) Mobile: