Blessed Kamen Vitchev, alternatively recognized as Peter Vitchev, was an Eastern Catholic priest belonging to the Assumptionist order.
He met martyrdom at the hands of the Bulgarian communist government.
He was born on May 23 1893 in Topolovgrad, Bulgaria and died on November 11 1952 at the age of 60 in Bulgaria.
We celebrate his feast day on November 11 every year in the Catholic Church.
| Blessed Kamen Vitchev Biography | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 23 1893 |
| Place of Birth | Topolovgrad, Bulgaria |
| Profession | Eastern Catholic priest |
| Place of Work | Bulgaria |
| Date of Death | November 11 1952 |
| Place of Death | Bulgaria |
| Feast Day | November 11 |
| Beatification | By Pope John Paul II on May 26 2002 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria |
| Patron Saint of | |
Blessed Kamen Vitchev Life History
Blessed Kamen Vitchev, also known as Peter Vitchev, hailed from a devout Eastern Rite family and received his education in Strem (in what is now Austria) and Adrianopolis (modern-day Edirne, Turkey).
He joined the Assumptionist order on September 8, 1910, in Gemp, adopting the name Kamen. His professional journey led him to become a professor at the College of Saint Augustine in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, in 1918.
He also served as a teacher at the Little Seminary of Koum Kapou in Istanbul, Turkey, and later as a theology professor in Kadiköy, Turkey, where he was ordained in the Eastern rite on December 22, 1921.
Kamen pursued further studies in Rome, Italy, and Strasbourg, France, ultimately earning his theology doctorate in 1929.
He returned to the College of Saint Augustine in Plovdiv in 1930, fulfilling roles as a teacher, college rector, dean of studies, and philosophy lecturer.
He was known for his unwavering expectations of his students, resulting in high academic standards and considerable respect.
In addition to his teaching, he contributed to various magazines, often using pseudonyms, to discuss topics at the intersection of science and religion.
However, on August 2 1948, the Communist regime closed down the College. Father Kamen was subsequently appointed as the superior of the Plovdiv seminary.
When the Communist authorities expelled all foreign religious individuals later that year, Kamen was designated as the Provincial Vicar of the Bulgarian Assumptionists.
Tragically, he was arrested by the government on July 4, 1952, on charges of anti-state activities due to his priestly role. He was accused of leading a Catholic conspiracy against the Communist regime and ultimately met martyrdom.
He was executed by a Bulgarian Communist firing squad, shot at 11:30 p.m. on November 11, 1952. His beatification took place on May 26, 2002, by Pope John Paul II in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
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