Yoakim Karchovski (; ; – ), also known as Hadži Joakim, was a cleric, writer, educator and one of the early figures of the Bulgarian National Revival.

Biography Karchovski was born around 1750. Macedonian linguist Blaže Koneski theorized that he might have originated from the Kičevo region. Karchovski was educated in Constantinople. In 1787 he began working as a priest. He was a teacher in Kratovo, Debar region, Kriva Palanka, Štip, Samokov, Melnik and Kyustendil. He had 2 sons, Georgi and David. In around 1807 Karchovski became a monk, after the death of his wife. In his writings, he identified himself as a Bulgarian and called his language Bulgarian. In 1819 he became a hieromonk. He died around 1820.

Legacy There are streets bearing his name in some cities in Bulgaria. Although he died before the earliest expressions of a Macedonian national identity, he is considered an ethnic Macedonian in North Macedonia. In May 2022 he was canonized by the Macedonian Orthodox Church as a saint.

Works

Karchovski authored 5 works printed in Buda: Lecture spoken because of dying (Слово исказаное заради умирание; 1814) Story about the terrible and second coming of Christ (Повест ради страшнаго и втораго пришествия Христова; 1814) This book called suffering (Сия книга глаголемаа митарства; 1817) The Wonders of the Holy Virgin (Чудеса пресвятия Богородици; 1817) Some edifyingly advices (Различна поучителна наставления; 1819)

See also Kiril Peychinovich Bulgarian National Revival Macedonian National Revival

References