The Rocket of Christ – Why Dobarsko Must Join UNESCO

In the heart of the Razlog Valley, in the small village of Dobarsko, between stone walls and the silence of the mountains, stands a church that transcends its time. The Church of Saints Theodore Tyron and Theodore Stratelates was built in 1614, during an era when Christian construction was forbidden under Ottoman rule. The locals dug it half into the ground so it could survive unnoticed. From the outside it looks plain, almost modest. But inside, in the soft twilight, unfolds a universe of over 460 frescoes that turn this hidden temple into a masterpiece of human genius.

Among them is one image found nowhere else in the world – Christ painted inside an elliptical form resembling a capsule or spacecraft. The world calls it “Jesus in a rocket,” but it is in fact a vision of ascension, a metaphor for the eternal human drive toward light and freedom. Painted centuries before the first space flight, this scene is more than artistic courage; it is philosophy – proof that the human spirit has always flown higher than technology.

The church in Dobarsko is not just an old religious building. It is a living chronicle of Bulgarian resilience, intellect, and spiritual endurance born under oppression yet elevated in dignity. Its frescoes reveal a refined culture and deep symbolism. Its architecture is an act of defiance, and its very existence a historical testimony to a nation that refused to lose faith.

Today the church holds the status of an immovable cultural monument of national importance. Yet that is not enough. Dobarsko possesses the qualities that meet UNESCO’s definition of “Outstanding Universal Value.” The church fulfills nearly all cultural criteria – it is a masterpiece of creativity, a bridge of cultural exchange between Byzantine and Balkan schools, a witness to a continuous spiritual tradition, an exceptional example of architecture adapted to restriction, and a bearer of universal messages of ascension and hope.

Its authenticity is completely preserved. The frescoes remain untouched by aggressive restoration; the materials are original, the technique traditional. There is, however, no designated buffer zone or international management plan – the next logical step for Bulgaria is to prepare a full nomination dossier and propose the site for inclusion in UNESCO’s Tentative List.

If inscribed, the benefits for both the country and the region would be immediate and long-term. Economically, UNESCO status would transform Dobarsko into part of the global cultural tourism network, attracting steady visitor flows, new jobs, and investment in local infrastructure. The surrounding villages would gain fresh opportunities for family-run hospitality, crafts, and education. International heritage funds would provide resources for restoration, conservation, and digital preservation.

On a national level, the impact would be strategic. Bulgaria would reaffirm itself as a country of deep cultural identity – not only of ancient ruins but of spiritual maturity. Dobarsko’s inclusion would strengthen the nation’s image abroad, enhance cultural diplomacy, and give new pride to Bulgarians everywhere. It is an investment in prestige, education, and long-term cultural sustainability. In a world where politics often overshadows culture, such recognition would prove that Bulgaria not only protects its past but turns it into a living future.

UNESCO seeks not just beautiful monuments, but human stories that speak to the soul of civilization. The church in Dobarsko is precisely that. It shows how, even in darkness, people can paint light. If the world needs proof of how faith survives through art, this temple is the evidence.

We, the team of Top Pressa, declare our public and professional commitment to make this a national cause – to support the nomination of the Church of Saints Theodore Tyron and Theodore Stratelates in Dobarsko for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is not a campaign for prestige; it is a mission for dignity. The church is a document of the human spirit, written in lime and stone by people who believed in the future.

To present Dobarsko to the world is not a matter of luxury, but of responsibility. Because if Bulgaria does not protect its miracles, no one else will. And when one day Christ from Dobarsko “takes flight” not only in the fresco but in the world’s conscience, we will know we have fulfilled our purpose – to prove that a small nation can leave a great legacy.

Top Pressa – a media with a cause, defending Bulgaria’s spiritual heritage.