Dobri Dobrev
Dobri Dimitrov Dobrev (Bulgarian: Добре Димитров Добрев), better known as Grandpa Dobri or Elder Dobri (Bulgarian: дядо Добри) is a Bulgarian beggar who walks several kilometers every day to sit or stand in front the Cathedral of Alexander Nevsky in Sofia to beg for money.
"The Saint of Baylov"[1] donates all the money he makes through begging to charities, orphanages, churches, and monasteries.
He was born on 20 July 1914 in the village of Baylovo. His father died in World War I, and was raised by his mother. In one of the bombings of Sofia during Second World War a shell fell near him and he lost almost all his hearing.
Over the years elder Dobrev separated from the materialistic aspects of life and devoted himself entirely to the spiritual world. Around year 2000, he decided to donate all his belongings to the church and now he lives very modestly in a small extension to the church "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" in his native village of Baylovo. About that time he initiated his mission to raise funds for the restoration of churches and monasteries in Bulgaria.[2] It is this new direction in life and the example he gives with his asceticism that led many to call him "The saint of Baylovo".[3]
References
- ^ "Дядо Добри". БНТ. 17 December 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
- ^ Дядо Добри от Байлово – България on YouTube – част от филма „Лепта“ (2000 г.), продукция на фондация „Покров Богородичен“
- ^ "Дядо Добре Добрев – божий странник, пътник от бъдещето, Деси Велева". в. „Дума“. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2012.