ST. NAHUM AND THE DIAVOUNA REGION BETWEEN 886 AND 894 Cover Image

СВ. НАУМ И ОБЛАСТТА ДИАВУНА МЕЖДУ 886 И 894 ГОДИНА
ST. NAHUM AND THE DIAVOUNA REGION BETWEEN 886 AND 894

Author(s): Pavel Georgiev
Subject(s): History, Middle Ages, 6th to 12th Centuries
Published by: Шуменски университет »Епископ Константин Преславски«
Keywords: St. Nahum of Ohrid; Diavouna region; IX century

Summary/Abstract: In this article the author concedes after V. Zlatarski the authenticity of the information in the Greek Life of St. Nahum that he conducted his teaching activities in the northeastern part of the Bulgarian state in a "place" called Διαβυ(ν)a. On this basis, he looks among the data of the sources for its possible identification and localization. He draws attention to the names of the medieval fortress and settlement over the ruins of Roman Marcianopolis (today Devnia). The name Διαβυ(ν)a (13th century) reflects its crossroad location and situation "at" the "hilly" region of the Ludogorie and Dobrudja plateau. During the Middle Ages they are denoted as "100 hills" (Εκατων βουνος). This entitles the author to reconstruct the name of the region immediately south of the 100 hills as Διαβουνας, i.e. "Situated in the hills." It included the valleys of the Ticha (Big Kamchia) and Varna (Provadiiska) rivers with its tributaries. The consequent three state centers – the "so-called Varna", Pliska and Preslav, were situated there. By 886-887 in this vital region of the state Prince Boris ordered the establishment of an administrative area named Diavouna, i.e. "At the hills", in which within two or three decades appeared the most important Old Bulgarian monasteries which functioned as religious and Slavonic literary and educational centers. This setting up of a region of special responsibility to ensure conditions for the proper work of the Bulgarian Church and the Slavonic speaking clergy serving its needs was done by order of Prince Boris-Michael (852-889) as early as 886-887. Conclusive evidence of this is provided by the Long life of Clement of Okhrid. According to its text (XVII, 53, 54), with the departure of Clement as a teacher in Devol and the nearby "places": Okhrid, Glavinitsa and probably Prespa, from the large region of Kotokion was "separated" a smaller one called Kutmitsinitsa (Kutmichevitsa). At its head was placed Dom(b)eta who received orders to support in all aspects the work of Clement as a teacher and future bishop. The text hints that this decision was part of a larger "project" of the Bulgarian prince who wanted "to create for the holy men (i.e. the disciples of Cyril and Methodius in Bulgaria - P.G.) full opportunity to carry out God's work." These words of the hagiographer contain, according to the author, implicit information that even before the separation of Kutmichevitsa in the southwestern lands such an area was set apart in the northeastern lands as well. It had the Greek name of Diavouna and in it the presbyter Nahum concentrated his teaching activities prior to 894.

  • Issue Year: 2012
  • Issue No: 12
  • Page Range: 404-417
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Bulgarian