The Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv is launching a series of events titled “Exhibit in Focus”, aimed at promoting artifacts from the museum’s collection, some of which have never been displayed to the public and are not part of the Permanent Exhibition.

The museum holds in its collection items belonging to remarkable figures who have influenced the course of Bulgarian historical and spiritual development as a nation. These artifacts possess high cultural and artistic value and offer insight into various periods of Bulgarian history. Through this initiative, we aim to give them the attention they deserve and to revive the memory of prominent historical figures and events.

On National Awakening Day—a holiday dedicated to the educators, enlighteners, and all those who have preserved the spiritual values of our nation throughout the centuries—we will pay tribute to one such notable figure: Metropolitan Nathanael of Ohrid, who served as Metropolitan of Plovdiv. He is among the honorable personalities who illuminated the path of Bulgarian history, actively participating in the struggle for Bulgarian enlightenment, spiritual independence, and an autonomous Bulgarian Church.

The Regional Ethnographic Museum – Plovdiv possesses valuable and little-known personal belongings of Metropolitan Nathanael: his bishop’s staff and a unique wooden chest. The chest was crafted and donated by a master artisan well-versed in the art of straw marquetry—the decoration of wooden objects with intricate straw inlays. This is considered the most challenging decorative technique, requiring impeccable talent and craftsmanship. Straw, often referred to as “vegetable gold,” is applied in extremely fine layers, creating a mother-of-pearl effect.

It is known that when a craftsman has the necessary confidence and experience, he leaves his name on his work. In this case, we see such an example: the name “Decorated by Iv. D. Piperkov” is inscribed on the chest. The donation also bears a dedication: “To His Eminence the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Plovdiv Nathanael. June 1st, 1900.”

The imagery on the chest includes stylized suns, numerous rosettes (an ancient solar symbol), church temples, hexagrams, crosses, ladders, doves, labyrinths, the Tree of Life, candlesticks (trikiria), ecclesiastical regalia such as the mitre, staff, episcopal throne, and liturgical vestments. Each of these symbols carries specific interpretations that highlight the spiritual and cultural significance of the object.

To date, the chest has not been studied scientifically. It is not known whether or how it was used by Metropolitan Nathanael or if it served purely ceremonial purposes. Many details remain to be uncovered regarding the depicted scenes and the connections between them. We will hint at some of their interpretations:

The sun symbolizes enlightenment, royal power, and the Universal Father. With its rising and setting, it represents the cycle of life.

The church temple signifies a “sanctuary” in all possible meanings.

The mitre is an ancient symbol of divine protection and the authority granted by God.

The hexagram (six-pointed star) is a Jewish symbol known as the Star of David. In the Old Testament, it embodies the Creator, His greatness, and power. In ancient Egypt, it was a magical symbol of hidden knowledge. It is also called the Biblical or Bethlehem star, due to its depiction in medieval and Renaissance nativity scenes.

The ladder symbolizes the path of self-knowledge leading to enlightenment. In many cultures, the number of steps equals the number of trials a person must face in life.

The belongings of Metropolitan Nathanael of Ohrid have not been presented to the public until now.