BALTHAZAR

Balthazar feasts with the nobles,  

raising a toast with a cup in his hand.  

The die, rolled by deceit,  

has placed a crown upon his head.

In his kingdom, first and irreplaceable,  

proud of his heavy fame,  

but in God’s nostrils, there’s smoke,  

as a mighty wind scatters it.

The king is feasting. The wine flows.  

His eyes are heavy with drink.  

A ray shines on the palace walls  

and fingers appear, vaguely.

They inscribe words on the stone wall  

and make Balthazar soberer.  

"What is this frightful writing?  

Where is the interpreter? Where is he?"

Soon the man of God arrives  

to interpret the wisdom penned.  

"Weighed on the scales, you are light,  

and your glory is worth a handful of dust!

Your kingdom is divided today  

and your days are already numbered,  

for with God's gold you feast,  

fooling yourself and your hyenas.

Your power is finished. It ends here.  

Persians and Medes will plunder it.  

And you, humble yourself, for when the Heavenly hammer  

punishes you with prophetic words…"

In the dark night, Balthazar breathes his last,  

pierced by a spear from ambush.  

The die, rolled by deceit,  

snatches his soul away to hell in an instant.

So in the future, on this earth,  

may all remember what earthly glory is…  

The crown is worn, but at a cost,  

etched deep in the black darkness.

Stefan Glavchev  

(The Rise of the Fall)

FAITH, IN UNYIELDING SPIRIT

This world is drenched, like a pendulum,
Swinging tipsily to and fro.
Long ago, black became white in it,
And the crooked was designated a temple.

From its extreme poles, the evils
Recharge from deceived souls.
Justice counts her bruises,
As evil seeks to crush her with a hammer.

The awakened faith is being banished.
Covenantal words are crossed out.
In the spotlights - abasement and depravity
With spectators - parched grass.

Joy abounds in godless halls
And noise rises from all-consuming shame.
The earth shakes in lawlessness
And roars with tremors, here and there.

In the deceptive pit of progress,
A devastation of virtual worlds,
While somewhere behind the dark veil,
A snake keeps slithering.

The world has been given to her since time immemorial,
And with a double-edged tongue, she twists it.
To swallow souls with a merciless whirlwind,
And to distort Meaning into a lie.

I live with faith, in an unyielding spirit,
And my heart whispers a final call.
On the path, narrowed to a slender ray,
May the Heavenly Moment catch me.

And may this world, dangerous and depraved,
Vanish like a mad nightmare,
While somewhere in the Eternal, awakened,
I glimpse Life - in Joy and Gift.

Stefan Glavchev  
(Fleeting Remains)

DISSOLVED BOOK

The deaf see me, but do not hear.

The blind hear me, but do not see.

The fleshly resent with spite.

The weak offend in helplessness.

Between the anvil and the hammer,

I bear the heavy blows.

I do not blame the fallen with scorn.

I do not extinguish the little light.

I wear no mask on my face

and seek no share of another's glory.

If I have none, I will ask God.

If I have more, no excess remains.

I do not hold onto human debts

nor look for splinters in others' eyes.

I pay for the mistakes I've made

and swallow my bitter without complaint.

I have unraveled the secrets of life

on how to be full or to be hungry.

I warmed the freezing with my fire.

I shared my gifts with those in need.

I do not mourn, thrown out like trash,

and I do not tremble, even at a target.

I have both Faith and a Hearth!

I have my Sun and my Universe!

Am I a traveler? The Path will end.

Am I a wretch? It will be for a time.

Let what’s written come to pass!

Let the sought accept me!

Fate is wondrous. Like a song.

Its notes are penned by Someone Else.

I didn’t live a life just to be easy,

but to let my Cross be from above.

And that is enough for me in this world.

Up there is the interest earned.

And within me, the Dissolved Book

is read by God, and He smiles… 

Stefan Glavchev  

(Seeker of Pearls)

TO THE CELESTIAL TRAVELER!

Do not rely on your peace,

held by a thread of vanity’s weave.

Good people wear belts

spattered with Heavenly Blood.

And these belts are Truth,

born not of this world,

with which purified faith

fills with Peace and Grace.

Gather your treasures

high, in the shimmering beyond,

far from the lie that poisons

humans with lustful flesh.

The struggles of a spirit,

bound in dust and decay, will not frighten you,

for the Lord is a fortress for the living,

in whom He was born with Fire.

He is your Meaning, Target, and Destiny

in all worldly troubles.

Having reached the Crucifixion with Him —

dwell on the Cross, and be!

For someday, having touched Glory,

in a City of marble and ruby,

Christ will shine forth from the embers

of your heart… Amen!

Stefan Glavchev

(The Bird Within You)

HIDDEN TRUTH

In this world, I haven’t lived in wealth,  

And I don’t regret it in the least.  

I’m satisfied, Lord, when they remember  

You through the words I’ve released.  

One builds a beautiful house,  

While another’s hoarding their gain.  

What’s born from dust returns to dust,  

Completing its destined chain.  

But I don’t want to leave here empty-handed,  

With a barren womb and no fruit to show,  

I seek a Faith from Heaven to be granted  

To me, a timeless home to sow.  

For what’s earthly remains down below,  

No one will carry it up to the skies.  

Both greed and glory are in vain,  

With neither does the soul arise.  

It’s through righteous deeds that God adorns,  

Bestowing on man spirit and breath.  

And better to love Him in the depths of despair  

Than to amass wealth that leads to death.  

Yet this Truth remains hidden from the world,  

A trap for the faithless souls it ensnares.  

What good is it to feast in this life,  

If it robs me of my God and His cares?  

I need neither silver nor gold,  

For they're covered by the green grass bed.  

In this world, I haven’t lived in wealth,  

And I don’t regret it, nothing to dread.  

Stefan Glavchev  

(A Copper Bowl)

A TRENCH IN THE DECEIVED FLESH

Do not seek human glory.  

For greatness it squanders in vain.  

Great is He who commands,  

whether in life or after death.

The ascent of the earth is futile,  

even if sprinkled with power or wealth.  

For a fleeting moment, it becomes a target for hearts;  

yet the godless will ultimately burn.

In an uneven duel with the mortal shell,  

it will furrow the brow, cheeks, and hands.  

And pride, like a fizzy drink,  

will leave a bitter taste in the heart.

In time, the river will drag him  

toward the ever-final door,  

where brilliance means nothing  

after the years have flown away.

The spirit departs from the fleshly shell,  

and who knows where it will soar…  

After glory, only a void remains,  

and in it, no one will forgive.

There, the name ceases to be golden,  

and no creature will value it anymore.  

Greatness will never return  

from the past days.

And then, the Truly Great One  

will write his final word from beyond…  

Do not seek human glory,  

for it is a trench in the deceived flesh.

Stefan Glavchev  

(The Rise of the Fall)

DO YOU CREATE DUST...

If you try to hold onto a speck of dust, it will slip away.

If you try to hold onto sand, it will scatter everywhere.

Do not waste the time you have been given,

for it is a loan, borrowed from the Creator.

But every loan will eventually be repaid,  

and the interest accumulates and weighs heavy.  

And in a mortal body – a home for your spirit,  

how will it balance the time it has spent?

What will it see when it returns to God,  

far above – to the kingdom free from decay?  

Will it be able to embrace the Creator,  

having gathered treasures for His Eternal Day?

Treasures prepared for Glory,  

that no wicked thief could ever take…  

What in this world is worth the effort,  

pushed to the very limit?

It is pointless to gather dust  

and fill it with feelings and dreams.  

For what is mortal will eventually die,  

while the eternal soars towards the Everlasting.

And it is sad when among the wealthy,  

you carry a beggar's bag…  

Didn’t God send you to this world,  

bestowing you with spirit and a choice of destiny?

Has He never greeted you with rays?  

Has He never blessed you with Love?  

Even if a traveler wanders through a hundred lives,  

they are empty if a flame does not ignite them.

If you create dust – you forge a chain.  

And the sand keeps you bound in a desert.  

And time for God? It's never enough,  

because it is burdened with lies.

And this is the tragic judgment  

upon the mortal descendants of Adam.  

Born of dust – drawn to dust,  

for their hearts are there as well…

Stefan Glavchev  

(Fleeting Remains)

SUNKEN LIKE A STONE

 (a poetic memory of the film,

which shook my heart

with the Spirit of the message below)

When the proud Titanic

collides with a mountain of ice,

and amidst hatred and prohibitions

the world is engulfed in rage,

keep a white rose in your heart

and cherish it alive within,

even if you tremble with fear

from the coldest waves.

You might be in a third-class

cabin with rats and stench,

and without lovely company

with a glass of rum and chocolate,

but still Love will flow,

and you'll be like Jack,

ready to call out to Rose,

dressed in a makeshift tailcoat.

The world will break in two

under the weight of heavy iron.

The rich won't even bother

to wipe a tear from their eye.

Even a life jacket

won't save his soul,

if he seeks a relationship by convenience

to adorn himself with a jewel.

But you, fight for your white rose

until your last breath,

for if she has survived –

you've found heaven and a summit.

And even, mortal among the waves,

sunk in icy waters,

heights will pull you up

to the highest stars.

When the proud Titanic

collides with a mountain of ice –

let one Love remain with you,

for it holds the price of a Covenant.

And her divine flame

inscribes upon the gates of Paradise:

Sunk like a stone,

rising to shine! 

Stefan Glavchev

(Seeker of Pearls)

TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO

Before life turns cold 

and everything becomes ruins, 

two thousand years ago, 

with hope, brother, return.

By the lake in Galilee, 

see the boat with fishermen. 

The Savior has entered it 

and waits for you to come near.

With Him, set sail instantly 

to the land of the Gadarenes. 

Listen to His voice in the roar – 

the brightest ray from on high.

And there, on the cushion, in fatigue, 

when the Lord lies down to sleep, 

don’t stay silent like the rest, 

but press your palm to His hand.

Tell Him: "Only with You, God, 

I am ready to endure the storm! 

You cannot sleep! It’s not possible, 

when I can’t find any rest!

Rebuke, divine winds! 

Stretch out a Heavenly hand! 

And let, from Your voice, cursed, 

the terrifying waves be hushed!"

With this all-powerful Faith, 

return to the future, even to today. 

And see how the wicked waves of the beast 

make this world so wretched.

Rebuke them! With the Breath of Christ! 

And with the two-edged Sword, defeat them! 

And then – in Peter's nets, 

gather joyful tears... 

Stefan Glavchev 

(The Bird Within You)

FAITH IN A DIFFERENT TIME

The world is a monstrous yoke.  

It oppresses with cursed spirits.  

And only with Faith in a different time  

do I save my dreams.

To unfold the covenant in an instant  

and return centuries back.  

To come back to my Lord  

as a recognized Jew.

Let the Baptist prophesy  

from the waters of the Jordan.  

Let Bethesda stir  

for some poor soul in anguish.

Let heaven open in a moment  

before faithful Nathaniel.  

Let angels descend from above  

upon Rachel's children.

Let me climb the mountain,  

illuminated by a Heavenly beam,  

and may the garment, infinitely Holy,  

be a Day for my spirit.

To witness the Holy Supper  

with Jacob, Peter, and John.  

And to find myself among them -  

tested, faithful, called.

Zacchaeus, gazing at the mulberry tree,

or the blind man Bartimaeus…

Everywhere, a Morning Star

will crush the dark villain.

With Her I want to live  

and find comfort in the miracle.  

On the paths of Judea  

to walk to Her on foot.

And today my heart prays:  

Bring us back to You, Jesus!  

Let the heavy burdens cease  

of our most trying days.

We live by Your Holy Word.  

Behold our souls! You are there!  

The True Star, which  

is our Call, Love, and Temple!

Stefan Glavchev  

(Copper Bowl)

FROM GOD ASK FOR AN AUTOGRAPH!

From God ask for an autograph.

In your heart let Him sign His name…

Am I wrong in this call? Am I right

for such a miracle to happen from above?

The world rushes for cheap stars,

wanting their signatures, all for glory.

With a pinch of pride to be filled,

amidst the dazzling noise and earthly clamor.

The Savior with His Holy pen

will leave His words from Himself,

when He does faithful Good,

which He can never forget.

“I was hungry! And you gave Me a piece of bread!

I was thirsty! And you offered Me water!

I was sick, and weak from my ailments,

yet you, even in my misery, saw My Name!

I was in darkness, and you visited Me!

I was a stranger, and found warmth in your home!

After so many closed doors,

yours were open for Me!”

So today, Jesus still signs His name,

and honors His Signature with a drop of Blood.

His covenant they claim to know by heart,

yet they trample it with unmasked hate.

He remains unseen by many.

A star, grounded in the mud of His Spirit.

Waiting, gazing, disdained

in barren hands, and in hearts void of Strength.

And today, as everyone gathers their anger,

where coldness has become the norm and a fetish,

from God ask for an autograph…

In your heart let Him sign His name!

Stefan Glavchev

(Copper Bowl)

GALILEE

I will pour out my silent prayer,
just as a stream gushes from a rock.
O Lord! Show me Galilee
and the angels with white wings!

And let me see You there, exalted —
hope and dream gathered in Your rays.
And without asking where You are in this moment —
let tears fill my eyes.

I do not believe You are far away in the cosmos.
Joy fills me when I call upon You.
Sighing in prayer, and speaking,
You fill my spirit with Your words.

And I follow You with faith, like a bird,
whose wings are anointed with oil,
to be Yours, the apple of God’s eye...
Beyond the stars — a kindred spirit, Galileo...

Stefan Glavchev
(I kneel before You)

DO NOT FEAR, LITTLE FLOCK!

Do not fear, little flock!

Jesus is your Shepherd!

His covenant is everlasting life!

Salvation is a gift!

Even if the earth

should tremble to this day,

high in the Light,

the Lord Himself tends you.

Do not fear, little flock!

Survive with hope!

Suffer for the Truth!

Live for Justice!

The world hates you now,

but Faith sustains you!

And the Holy One protects you

from snares and lies!

Do not be afraid, little flock!  

Behold the Glory beyond!  

And the Eternal Reward  

after your steep journey.

Heaven will open  

the shining Gate,  

and you will be up there,  

saved by Christ!

Do not fear, little flock!

Only a moment remains!

With pure joy

behold the radiant Face!

Love will carry you

to the blessed refuge

within the holy boundaries

of the wondrous Zion...

Stefan Glavchev  

(I kneel before You)

THE DIAGNOSIS OF NERO

When a nuclear threat looms  

And the frightened world starts to shake,  

Nero’s name stands as a diagnosis  

Of the most dangerous psychopath.  

Determined to crush and reshape,  

Even erasing a nation…  

What kind of demon hides away  

In his bloodshot eyes?  

What kind of pride consumes him?  

What kind of greed torments him?  

A person is born into this world  

to create what it means to be human…

Murder is the call of the beast.  

Destruction comes from dark madness.  

And when the world ignites in fire –  

Life remains to him for just an hour.  

In ancient and troubled times,  

A vile creature set Rome ablaze,  

Hoping to take away the faith  

In the Savior, beloved by souls.  

Nero was his tainted name –  

A reptile upon an imperial throne.  

And today the world is once again in smoke…  

Once more, Nero is the spark…  

His heart is never satisfied.  

His hands claw for oil.  

Even at the cost of ash and ruin  

And the most brutal tyranny.  

And there's no madness that  

could tame a wolf like that,  

ready to trample everything sacred  

and itself to frighten and oppress…

O, come, Just God!  

The smoke rises up to You!  

The unharvested fields are burning,  

And there’s no one to extinguish them… 

Countless human destinies are ablaze!  

Justice and Law are burning, too!  

Times grow heavy with the weight  

Of Nero’s diagnosis…  

From it, the powerful go mad,  

Delivered unto wicked depravity.  

May Your Sword cast them down  

Deep into the fiery abyss…  

Stefan Glavchev

(The Rise of the Fall)

QUESTIONS ABOUT CONSCIENCE

Why is conscience desperately deaf  

When the world lies in total ruin?  

It hears no sorrowful words of woe  

And finds no villains guilty before it...  

Why is conscience blind to suffering,  

When the coffin is lowered into the grave?  

It does not see a mother shedding tears  

Because a tormentor has killed her son...  

Why is conscience silent on Justice,  

Not raising its voice against sin and deceit?  

An unseen razor has cut its tongue,  

And it will not utter a sound or a cry...  

Why is conscience burnt out by spirit  

And hides the stains on its white garment?  

Does it not understand that this is doom  

Before the One who chose to disregard?  

Why is conscience a sentence that reminds  

Everyone of the Sacred Times,  

When they will see the deeds laid bare,  

The ones they committed without Judgment on this earth?  

Why, you ask? Because it makes peace with evil,  

And it lulls it to sleep, gnawing away at it!  

In this terrible time, for a harsh fate,  

It has already paid the devil's price...  

Stefan Glavchev

(The Rise of the Fall)

CARRIED BY FAITH…

Carried by Faith,
I flew all around.
My life is a song.
Dying – the Cross.
Loving – a Fire.
Fighting – a Sword.
And on my way to God,
I ventured far and wide.

My sorrow is my solace.
The Crucifixion – a call.
Suffering – a Garment
of Christ’s Example.
For this world – lost,
but welcomed in the higher one.
Loved by the Faithful.
Cursed by the impure.

I found my destiny
in celestial places
and filled my bag
with the Word from Christ.
I gave myself to everyone.
I was a spring and a seal
in the challenging years,
but filled with Grace.

Deep beneath the waves,
I await a Bright Moment.
The days may not be grand,
but the Lord is Great.
And I know the Truth,
that in Him I am saved,
when I finally see,
in Spirit, resurrected.
Amen and Amen!

Stefan Glavchev
(The Bird Within You)

THE VERDICT ON JUDAS

The world is consumed by greed.  

By taxes, debts, and rising prices.  

The banker doesn’t reclaim his conscience,  

But blames himself instead...  

He has a pact with Mammon,  

Fit for a genuine god.  

The banknote - just like an icon  

With the signature of a bloodsucker.  

And in the vault - an iron altar -  

The stacks pile up endlessly,  

While he sticks out his tongue,  

Seeing profits slick as honey.  

To ruthlessly squeeze the poor  

With usury, without a hint of shame,  

And then happiest to savor  

The spoils of his vile game.  

The world is consumed by greed.  

Mad. Revolting as a stench.  

But everything eventually returns,  

When there’s no turning back.  

Mammon doesn’t help from afar.  

He holds power here and now.  

The gallows tighten around the rich,  

In Dante’s foreboding woods.  

There, fiery brimstone engulfs him,  

And a dreadful thirst torments.  

Yet eternity, wildly heartless,  

Can’t be bought with mere cents.  

For he lived in a fatal delusion,  

Driven by dark greed,  

And with the verdict on Judas,  

Accepts his eternal decree…  

Stefan Glavchev

(The Rise of the Fall)

FOR ETERNITY – ETERNAL!

Eternity is hidden behind a veil

from human, mortal eyes.

Within it lies a prison for the villain

and for the wretched – beams of light.

It is, beyond the end, a new beginning.

For the spirit, a fateful leap.

Existence – caught between black and white.

Finality – caught between devil and God.

How one prepares for it

is each person's choice and path.

Between the Son of God and the wrongdoer

the world stands divided.

Fate has a thin line

before the Heavenly Eternal Life,

but earthly beings cannot calculate

and rely on their mortal lineage.

From Adam's clay to Stone

a heavy toll is paid -

A Holy Sacrifice with Christ's Flame

for humanity, born in Light.

To be drawn to the Rock

and stand firm for Righteousness -

only then will you be Eternal for Eternity,

having conquered inevitable death…

Stefan Glavchev

(Seeker of Pearls)

I REMAIN A STONE

I’m not filling up a congress hall

and I don’t wear a righteous suit.

I’ve kept my soul pure and small

from every Babylonian hoot.

Without deafening glory at the podium.

Without titles or some great renown.

Without businessmen with their millions,

sitting right there in the front row.

Without a shiny car and security.

Without a fat church fee in hand.

Without worldly honors or invites

to a king's palace on this land.

Without a deal for a new book.

Without signatures or autographs.

Without any tempting chains that hook

in the spirit of the wretched Esau's paths.

Without anything vile that would drown

my spirit in a pit so deep,

and would cause my heart to frown

the Radiance of Christ’s Light to keep.

I remain a stone with rough caresses.

The flesh from it still hurts inside.

And there’s no way to love what suppresses

because an abyss does divide.

For it lives “with,” when my spirit

stands firm in “without” though it’s tough…

And all that is True and Holy

is my steadfast counterbalance, that’s enough. 

Stefan Glavchev

(Fleeting Remains)

GLORY TO GOD! I WILL SOAR UP!

Old age will knock at my door too.

With white hair, aches, and sorrow.

It will wrench a cry from my soul 

and it will be a jagged edge on my bed.

It will become a temporary shadow.

A judge with a memory devoid of passion.

It will be the breath of lonely evenings.

It will be my wrinkled self.

Inevitably, it will reign within me

without a crown and a glorious throne.

In my joy, it will mourn defiantly

and in my peace, it will bring strife.

I will resist it with all my might.

I will tell myself I’m still young.

And I will even wish to long for

the rays of a pure meteor shower.

It will be my companion for a while.

Until the final Holy gate.

Goodbye, with it my spirit will take flight,

like the wind with the yellow leaves.

And when I pass beyond,

it will stay here. Without me.

Like some gray imprint

of a life surrendered to decay.

Like a stump, drying from the roots

to remain forever dry…

GLORY TO GOD! I WILL SOAR UP!

For man in heaven is spirit!

Stefan Glavchev  

(Fleeting Remains)

LIFT YOUR FAITH AS A SHIELD!

When this world scoffs at you  

And hates you with its unmasked wrath,  

For entering God's Glory,  

Lift your Faith, brother, as a Shield!  

The oppressor tortures and kills,  

But you are cleansed by Christ's Blood.  

Even if everything around you perishes,  

Lift your Faith, brother, as a Shield!  

One digs in the pot and starves,  

While another is happy with excess...  

But heed what the Spirit dictates!  

Lift your Faith, brother, as a Shield!  

The road is doomed for the worms,  

And every parasite is condemned with them.  

But since you are called to Eternal Life,  

Lift your Faith, brother, as a Shield!  

If you are a target of a wicked aim  

And it lurks – secretive, dreadful...  

To see your soul comforted,  

Lift your Faith, brother, as a Shield!  

Today the world is in its final clash –  

Saints against the devilish elite.  

Rich in Jesus, but poor in everything else,  

Lift your Faith, brother, as a Shield!  

The end of great suffering will come,  

And every wormwood will be tested...  

For happiness – may you be two with the Lord,  

Lift your Faith, brother, as a Shield!  

Amen and Amen!

Stefan Glavchev  

(The Bird Within You)

THE SERVANT WITH A HEAVENLY BURDEN

Before the rebellious world falls silent  

and the Righteous One stirs it with His Sword,  

the burden will bring His servant  

to the pearly gates of God.

Left at the churchyard refuse,  

he stretched out his hands with kindness,  

ready to fill his heart with disdain  

and mix his bread with sorrow.

The proud kicked him with scorn.  

Well-fed kings spat upon him.  

And every human self-righteousness  

refused to let his spirit see.

For the polished conscience of many,  

he became the inconvenient thorn.  

And so his life passed by,  

just as the Lord had decreed.

But a moment comes with judgments and rewards,  

with deeds weighed on righteous scales.  

The burden will bring forth His servant,  

and the Heavenly King will appraise him.

Only then… Yes, only then  

from Justice would he receive a reply,  

whether he sought God's Glory  

or was cursed before the Judge.

The world is in twilight. Soon it will be dark,  

and the beast will leap out to devour.  

Yet God's servant still carries  

his burden to the Holy Gates.

May in that Moment, as brief as a second,  

he find his ending beyond,  

in the Spirit marked with this imprint,  

that the Faithful is not judged by the Court...

And after that, with a sigh he will step  

into a City free of pain, sorrow, and night,  

where in anguish the wretched do not weep  

and no breath of evil lingers...  

Stefan Glavchev  

(Fleeting Remains)

A DAVID IS NEEDED!

The shepherds are deceitful, who

bring a ravenous wolf into the fold.

They hand him sheep – treacherously, hidden,

forgetting their sacred duty.

And the flock, alas, with a short memory,

does not recall the evils in their dire state,

that not one but many a predator has torn them apart

and crushed them with suffering and grief.

In such a ruined sheepfold,

life darkens and turns bitter.

And the conquering faith fades away

of the lamb in cowardly eyes.

A David is needed – to lead him

and guard him from the cruel beasts.

And the flock, through all adversities,

to free itself from evil with a fiery spirit.

To share his life with the sheep,

and chase the predator far away.

Ready to be the sharp sword

by his warm woolen bedding.

Where, today, is such a Holy Love

of a Shepherd, inspired from Heaven?

Is there one on earth already

in this time of the red sunset?

Have the wolves in sheep’s clothing not started

to deceive the gullible flocks?

And who then, with sincerity, will be able

to call their fear freedom?

You, O Lord, with most sacred Zeal,

pasture the sheep Yourself in Your Spirit,

and punish with fiery Gehenna

the hired hand who corrupts the Word!

For if the sheepfold has no fence

and no man of God to watch over the flock,

the wolf, with insatiable rage, will attack

and leave bloody trails...

Stefan Glavchev

(The Rise of the Fall)

THE HAND OF THE LORD

The hand of the Lord is not shortened.

It doesn’t shove rudely or pull forcefully.

With Mercy, it reaches out to a flawed world

and with Love, it touches the pure and gentle.

The hand of the Lord lifts us up.

It always gives where there is need.

And even when suffering on the Cross,

it doesn’t rush to cast its executioner into hell.

The hand of the Lord restores souls

and turns a wolf from the wilderness into a lamb.

It supports the Sacred Truth with Strength

and always chooses steep paths.

The hand of the Lord parts the sea,

for it is full of God’s Glory.

It is Might for the weak, a guard for the faithful.

And how many words can I use to prove this?

The hand of the Lord creates, full of Grace.

Among all riches, it is dearest to me.

And let me fade away in its palm,

for I’ve invested my spirit in it.

Stefan Glavchev

(The Bird Within You)

MY GIFT!

My gift flows like Living Water  

And has left a mark on the Heavenly field.  

Every faithful soul should sprout like a grain of wheat,  

And may Christ be loved in thought, deed, and speech.

My gift is sustenance, like warm bread.  

With it, strength consumes the one who is weak.  

Through Jesus’ words, illuminated in Light,  

May I humbly abide under His Holy Right Hand.

My gift is Heavenly, created by the Father.  

Christ Himself is its Song and an imperishable Crown.  

If I were to share His love until the end,  

I would know, without doubt, that I’ve truly lived.

My gift overflows! Hold it like the Spirit!  

Let it serve the living Bride as Rain!  

And then you will understand that truthful meaning,  

That a person, when giving, lives before the Lord...

Stefan Glavchev  

(Seeker of Pearls)

COME, LOVE FROM ABOVE!

In a tragic whirlwind,  

the world spins madly around.  

Human nature refuses  

to soar towards the Sacred ground.  

Shells, bombs, and rockets  

scrawl a dark obituary.  

And beneath those cursed caps,  

the devil resembles a deity.  

Fueled with rage, brother kills brother,  

malice shatters destinies apart.  

And gas is flowing into the sea  

from pipes that have already blown.

A wild she-wolf howls -  

the one who nursed Romulus and Remus.  

And from apathy, silent and low,  

Justice is dying, utterly defused.  

Plundered by wicked tyrants,  

the earth smolders in nighttime's haze,  

with heavy wounds she bears,  

hovering on the brink of her last days.  

And somehow, God, she yearns  

for You to crush Evil, dreadful and stark,  

for only with You can life  

be forever blessed, bright as a spark.  

Come, Love from above!  

Illuminate the sky's expanse,  

so that the evil brood of Satan  

can burn from Your Sword's fierce lance.  

Stefan Glavchev

(The Rise of the Fall)

THE FILM HAS ALREADY BEEN SEEN...

The film has already been watched once,

To the very last moment of existence.

So with hope, hold on tight

To every sorrow and grief in your heart.

And on the bright, wise screen,

You see yourself in the time that's passed.

For when you’re nailed to the Cross,

God will come to take your spirit at last.

And beyond, there will be no bitterness,

Nor will a crown of thorns weigh you down…

Lift your eyes up to the Father -

Eternity waits for you at the threshold.

The film has already been seen once.

Nothing new under the sun remains.

But after the drops in the late rain,

The cruel drama will come to an end.

You’ll then say: I lived

In a dreadful era until the very last.

I was in the Lord's palm,  

To know His love for me.

I drank from the Cup of suffering,

And in dreams, I tasted comfort.

In His Eternal Covenant, I hid

To safeguard the Heavenly garment.

The film is ending… May I be ready!

May it find itself within me!

Caught by Christ's Call -

To step through the Heavenly doors…

Stefan Glavchev

(Fleeting Remains)

SALVATION FROM THE ROCK

Drawn by the Spirit of Light,  

I cannot pause on my journey.  

High above, in the mountain,  

Christ is my Rock.

And this mountain is Holy,  

for His Word weighs above the world,  

and whoever carries it in their soul  

will bear its heavy load.

The sacred words of the Lord  

ignite my bright vision.  

My feet tremble, weary,  

near Jacob, Peter, and John.

A cloud of Glory approaches.  

Jesus shines with Righteousness.  

And the Father Himself commands me:  

“Stand beside My Son!

And let that white Rock  

take residence in your spirit.  

May you possess My full Power  

and rule over the stones…”

Humbled, I kneel in faith.  

Meek and taken from the world.  

And the Holy Lord dedicates me  

in His sunny Covenant.

Of all the choices on earth,  

my soul chose the most sacred –  

to have up there, in the mountain,  

Salvation from the Rock…

Stefan Glavchev  

(I kneel before You)

BE CLOSER TO THE KING!

Drawn by earthly sorrow and grief,  

the King is unseen, bearing the visage of a servant.  

He won't be felt by a satisfied belly,  

or by the tax collector, whose eyes remain dry.  

With His Hand, the King gathers lamentation,  

where the human plight is painfully ugly,  

and Lazarus suffers in silence  

beside stray dogs and filthy refuse.  

The King reads the words within souls,  

and they are deeply fateful and Sacred.  

For Mercy will follow the merciful,  

who remains faithful and alive in Righteousness.  

But Wrath will destroy at the fateful hour  

the scoundrels frozen in worldly frost.  

For there’s no one in the Kingdom, cursed,  

who could turn his heart into a ball of ice.  

Be closer, O brother, to the King,  

where all the terrifying misfortunes gather.  

In bitter fate, in the cold trench,  

bestow destinies with the Flame of Christ…  

Stefan Glavchev  

(Copper Bowl)

A WORD TO THE ROOT!

Do not regard yourself as above,  

for there are troubles in high places.  

To the root of David – the root,  

with your soul, be as one!

Carry out your deeds in secret  

and turn a deaf ear to the praise,  

for all that is proud is pierced  

by the sword of the wretched villain.

Do not think of a crown  

when the winds are blowing.  

The tree breaks its branch,  

calling for peace without God.

Remember that the eternal reward  

does not come in this fleeting world,  

but in it, we suffer for Jesus  

and carry the cross with Grace.

Until your last breath, O man,  

let the Lord be your root.  

And in you shall forever stir  

the Spirit of living waters.

(The Bird Within You)  

Stefan Glavchev

TREASURE HIDDEN IN THE FIELDS

Life slips away so fast.  

You can't hold back time.  

A treasure, buried in the fields,  

waits for you to find it.

It has lain there since time immemorial.  

A treasure of Light.  

But between it and mankind,  

the soil has become a wall.

If someone decides to dig it up,  

they'll be blind like a mole.  

And instead of uncovering new riches,  

their soul will fall into a pit.

Yet that treasure longs  

for the designated seeker…  

To splash the Living Water  

toward God’s beautiful gift.

Let the soil wash away diligently,  

without holding back its strength,  

and see how, right in the field,  

the Heavenly pearl shines bright.

With an outstretched hand to grasp it.  

To keep it in their heart.  

For it is the Eternal treasure  

for all their days to come.

And if anyone asks me  

what kind of wealth this is,  

I'll answer with sincere openness:  

It’s the Lord’s Sacred Words!

With them, a person gains  

a longing for their Eternal home…  

A treasure, hidden in the fields,  

waits for you to find it!

Stefan Glavchev  

(Seeker of Pearls)

THE ONE SAVED IN GOD LAUGHS LAST

The poor man prays fervently to God,  

but not for sausage or steaks, you see.  

He seeks Mercy and Kindness in life to fill,  

for human winters can be frightfully chill.

Hearts turn cold, hardened by Evil’s plight,  

and they always think they’re in the right.  

Yet with his soul, he remains thrice patient,  

sighing, knowing their path leads to damnation.

What else can he do with this burden he bears?  

He can't fight against the cursed ones' snares.  

With head bowed, he stifles his sighs,  

but knows that one day, truth will arise.

For the Holy Judge watches over all deeds.  

Some are cast aside, while others he leads.  

And it’s worth enduring some suffering and pain,  

for the cost of Evil is far too insane.

The poor man wipes his tears with his sleeve.  

Let it be, O Lord, whatever you weave!  

While the powerful plunder and still feel hollow,  

hoarding riches that only breed sorrow.

Where will they go? What will they carry?  

These bitter questions are futile and airy.  

He lies with worms, wakes with decay,  

and needs nothing from this earthly stay.

But when the end comes, he won’t escape,  

for iron bonds tighten ‘round his fate.  

And the dark pit, it pulls him near,  

to meet the beast he holds so dear.

The poor man finds rest wrapped in solace.  

He does not grieve that the world took its toll.  

For he has the Lord and Sacred Faith,  

to guide him until he breathes his last breath. 

For Mercy and Kindness are enough to sustain,  

when he lifts his hands up to Heaven’s domain.  

And even though cast out, lowly, and poor –  

the one saved in God laughs last, that’s for sure…

Stefan Glavchev  

(Copper Bowl)

JESUS GIVES YOU LIFE!

Jesus gives you life!  

Walk with His Cross! Shine bright!  

Lift up His Glory  

and proclaim His Example!  

With sincere prayer to God,  

pay the high price!  

Be a Fire in the coolness!  

Be Light in the darkness!  

Give Him your spirit - to serve!  

Humble your heart in His Covenant!  

And He will dwell in you forever  

and will give Himself to you!  

For it’s a miracle such Love  

for the Father to pour into your spirit!  

Jesus gives you life!  

Receive it with Faith! And live!  

Stefan Glavchev  

(I kneel before You)

PROPHET IN THE DESERT

To this day, an ancient scroll reminds us  

of events from times long past,  

when the Lord was angered  

with the people of Nineveh.

There, the king, awakened by a prophet,  

proclaimed throughout the land  

to cease their wicked and sinful lives,  

bringing forth sin and heavy burdens.

With prayer, fasting, and overflowing sorrow,  

they begged God for His forgiveness,  

so that the Spirit from Holy realms  

would shine in their hearts once more.

For three days they fasted and wept,  

clothed in sackcloth, filled with grief.  

"Oh, God! We call on You!  

Do not turn Your back on us!"

God heard them. His fierce anger  

softened in His eyes.  

And soon over the frightened city,  

salvation's rays began to shine…

Does the world today desire  

to read from this ancient scroll?  

For a multitude of vaccines it pushes,  

but sorrow for the Lord won’t unfold…

And there is no king - neither holy nor sinful,  

a follower of the prophet Jonah,  

to lift a hopeless gaze  

to the Lord of Zion.

To seek holy forgiveness.  

To call the people to fast.  

That Christ might deliver us  

from all our sufferings and trials!

Alas, when Justice is in the mire,  

and a nation sinks in sin,  

it is in vain for even a prophet  

to call out in the wilderness… 

Stefan Glavchev  

(The Rise of the Fall)

THE TRUTH AT THE CROSSROADS

To the Truth will arrive everyone,  

who steps beyond at their journey's end,  

down one of all the paths,  

choosing at their crossroads' bend.  

For there, on the other side, none will be  

blind or deaf in their plight,  

but will confront their true drama  

with soul and spirit in sight.  

Whether sinking into darkness,  

or soaring to great heights —  

they claim their reward  

for all their earthly nights.  

Whether bound by rope or chain,  

tied down in life by those things,  

they'll rise in peace above,  

or descend in fear to what dread brings.  

And they won't ask a single question  

of why they're here or there,  

for the revealed Truth  

will leave their breath silent in the air.  

Fate is not a die in a casino  

nor a strong card in bridge or whist.  

Even having lived like in a movie —  

a person has but one life in the midst.  

And it’s worth the prayer to kneel,  

before God, face to the ground,  

before death strips them bare  

to a slave with a heart tightly bound.  

For the Truth saves in the now,  

once it enlightens the spirit within,  

but on the other side, it’s the Judge,  

who closes the gates of Heaven's kin.  

To her will arrive everyone,  

born of flesh in this world’s sight —  

down one of all the paths,  

choosing at their crossroads' height.  

Stefan Glavchev  

(Fleeting Remains)

THE WORLD WILL SAVED BY BEAUTY

The world will be saved by beauty

and the earth will be filled with joy.  

From Heaven, ecstasy will dew  

on the seven-colored face of the rainbow.  

The Creator will paint faces,  

like angels, gently and beautifully,  

and in every human heart  

the eternal Fire will never fade.  

Every fruit will be sweetly ripe.  

Every blade of grass will remind us of Paradise.  

And Life – exaltedly white –  

will be just the beginning, with no end…  

It will be a Kingdom of bright rays,  

sunny gleam and lunar sonata.  

The newborn, opening its eyes,  

will shine beautifully in its swaddling.  

And the world will be a wondrous atlas  

with transformed celestial images,  

while the longing in the human voice  

will overflow with psalms and songs.  

We will be delighted by a great blessing –  

Holy Eternity in an infinite Universe,  

for when beauty, created by God,  

is born in the Covenant of Christ…  

Stefan Glavchev  

(Seeker of Pearls)

THE GREAT LEAP

Only a fleeting dream separates us

From the great leap ahead.

In an instant, unnoticed,

Phones, computers, and cars will fade away.

The mighty riches will be no more

Than useless, pitiful paper.

Not a banker, but a wise Saint

Will shape the destinies of the world.

Foxes, hyenas will breathe their last.

There won’t be wolves howling in rage.

All the proud will be brought low,

As the thunderous Voice stirs their hearts.

Tribes and rebellious nations

Will weep for God’s gift divine.

They’ll seek the Holy Spirit to guide them,

And Christ to be their shepherd.

Wars and terror will come to an end…

All evil will flee far away.

The Celestial beings will come

To reign with Justice and the Sword.

Light will prevail everywhere,

With God forgiving the world’s sin,

When from the cloud, the Doe leaps

From the high peak of Carmel.

This Meaning, seen and read,

Will come true… Don’t ask if it will…

Only a fleeting dream separates us

From the great leap ahead…

Stefan Glavchev

(The Bird Within You)

THE SKY TOUCHES WITH A HAND

Today I will speak profound words

and anyone who reads them – may understand.

The sky touches with a hand,

and again, with that hand, man finds God.

The hand caresses, carries, and creates.

The hand reaches out to the drowning.

The hand will ignite the fiery call

and will not escape from life’s trials.

The hand generously gives and shines

when it shows kindness towards the poor.

The hand will even shelter a nail,

even if blood flows until death.

The hand kneads the fragrant bread

or begs for a humble coin.

It wipes tears when someone is weak

and wants to weep their sorrow away.

The hand is a refuge for gifts.

It reflects every act of sacrifice.

When it curls into a fist, it’s an altar.

When stretched out – it’s complete salvation.

And may it endure like this –

inspired by the Will of the Lord!

The hand… The Gracious hand!

Creating Love,

and born of Love…

Stefan Glavchev

(Copper Bowl)

MY EXAMPLE, ALMIGHTY!

He is always somewhere out there –
in the zenith of Eternal Glory,
but in the hearts of the Faithful Temple
He creates with His Covenant Spirit.

He doesn’t choose people by stature
and doesn’t trade with titles and power.
He recognizes only at the Cross
among those in whom He reigns.

In outstretched hands of faith,
He seeks His pierced wounds.
And heart by heart, testing each,
He separates the hearts of the Lord.

He does not acknowledge human kings
and has no regard for teachers.
If the grain of wheat dies,
He resurrects it in a bountiful harvest.

Merciful, among those sinful in flesh,
He freely gifts with Spirit Magdalene,
so that within her heart, He may be the Way
to the Heavenly Paradise garden.

He doesn’t extinguish a flickering lamp
nor trample on reed with His feet.
Even a wolf, He’s ready to save,
and from it, call forth a Lamb.

He is my Example, Almighty!
In His works – Holy and wondrous!
Most beloved in the Kingdom, a Man!
To the Saints – Love and Song!

He is the Root in the Holy Firm,
and the Star amidst morning Glory!
To follow Him – in Life or death,
thus my spirit forever hopes!

Stefan Glavchev
(I kneel before You)