Ivan Erchev

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Pop Ivan Erchev, called by the local people Pop Ercho, is a priest from the village of Koprivshtitsa, one of the popes to whom the rebels of the April Uprising of 1876 swore.

Pop Ercho was born in the first half of the 19th century and according to the descriptions of his contemporaries was a big and handsome man. In addition to the ministry, he practiced twenty trades. The appointment of the church service receives because it fulfils the necessary conditions: to be married, to have at least one child, to be literate to read and write well and sing in the church. Ercho (petel) successfully defeated his two rivals in the selection and deservedly received the assignment. Self-confidence quickly leaves him because he cannot read the scriptures of the Scriptures smoothly, and he does not know certain expressions in him. For this reason, there were some quarrels and misunderstandings with Hadji Gero Dobrovic, who was a church protopsalt at the time in the village. These interplays were successfully interpreted by Lyuben Karavelov in his story.

Preferred by the priest craft is construction. Ivan Erchev builds jars and stables, builds cobblestone streets and fountains, repair damaged bridges in many places. Restores bridge over river Mede dere and build a tap in the place. His most famous creation is considered the Popivan fountain. Pop Ercho builds it all by himself, catching water in three springs for the purpose. Sam lays the necessary pipes and lifts its facade, powered by the old plumbing network.

As a good master, he treated the animals well, and they obediently followed him when he served them as a nalbantin. Ivan Erchev knew many healing herbs and helped in various diseases. He was an expert in the chakra's house. He had his arms twisted and sprained. He even pulled out sick teeth. With this work he gained fame in the surrounding villages.

Priest Erchev used the funds received to purchase agricultural land. He expanded his yard in the neighborhood Today, the place where they were located, under Mount St. Nicholas, is called the Gul. His yard, near the home of pop Nikola Belchov, was planted with different cultures such as peas, beans, lentils and ivy, and also some orchard trees.

In the preparation of the uprising in 1876 together with pop Nikola Belchov swore the future rebels. After the defeat of the rebellion, he was captured by the Turks and exiled along with his comrades in arms to Cyprus. After the Liberation he returns to Koprivshtitsa and stays there for the rest of his life. He rested suddenly during his service at the temple of St. Nicholas in 1880. He was buried in the churchyard, at the altar of the temple.

Ivan Erchev is the father of Kostadin Erchev, who introduced the revolutionary work.

Sources

Priests from Koprivshtitsa
Participants in the April Uprising by Koprivshtitsa
Bulgarian phytotherapists
Bulgarian Folk Healers
Prototypes of literary characters
Bulgarian builders
Born in Koprivshtitsa
Died in Koprivshtitsa