Historical figure Sophronius of Vratsa

Sophronius of Vratsa was a prominent Bulgarian clergyman born in Kotel in 1739. At the town's monastery school, he studied Old Bulgarian and Greek church books. Ordained a priest in 1762, he also worked as a teacher and writer in his home town. His meeting with Paisii of Hilendar in 1765 profoundly influenced his spiritual work.

In 1794, he became a monk and was consecrated Bishop of Vratsa under the name Sophronius. He pursued public activities and maintained contacts with Greek Phanariot circles. In 1803, he moved to Bucharest, continuing his religious and public work. During the Russo-Turkish War of 1806–1812, he was a leading Bulgarian representative to the Russian command.

He compiled Nedelnik (The Sunday Book), the first printed book in modern Bulgarian, and wrote other works that strongly influenced the literature and culture of his time. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church canonised him in 1964.

Sophronius left a lasting mark on Bulgarian history, culture and the awakening of national consciousness.