In 1083, the Byzantine commander Gregory Pakourianos founded a monastery in the Rhodope Mountains. His brother Apasios had already died. Gregory also donated estates he had inherited from Apasios to the monastery. In the rule, Gregory calls himself Georgian. The monastery was intended for a Georgian community. Gregory wrote a typikon. This is a written rulebook for life together. Gregory prescribed fifty monks, plus a superior: the person leading the community. All were to eat together. Nobody, even the superior, should receive better bread or wine. Necessary assistance was allowed for the sick and very old. This did not mean equality in everything. Money for clothing and shoes differed according to rank within the community.
History of Bulgaria
