Revolutionary Marko Todorov

Marko Todorov was a Bulgarian priest, educator and national revolutionary, and an associate of Vasil Levski, born around 1825 in the village of Pravets in the Sofia region. His father was Father Todor, who opened a church school in Pravets in 1820.

Marko received his elementary education at his father's school and became a novice in a monastery at a young age. Before entering the priesthood, he worked as a church singer.

A private school operated in Father Marko's home, with instruction in Bulgarian. He spoke Romanian, Greek and Turkish. Marko married Rada Tsolova Topalska, with whom he had children.

In the autumn of 1870, Vasil Levski visited Pravets and stayed in Father Marko's home. There he founded the Pravets Local Revolutionary Committee of the Internal Revolutionary Organisation. Father Marko Todorov played an active role in the committee, administering the oath to committee activists in the church and helping train the village's young men.

Marko Todorov won Vasil Levski's trust, and Levski often stayed at his home. Father Marko also took part in the robbery of the Orhanie treasury convoy in the Arabakonak Pass in 1872.

After the robbery was betrayed, Father Marko Todorov was summoned by the authorities and witnessed the torture inflicted on the arrested participants. He was among those who urged the prisoners not to disclose information.