Early Years

[Ani]

HIS LIFE AND TEACHING

Early Years

 

The third child of the Reverend Konstantin Dunovski and Dobra Georgieva was born in the village of Hadarcha (today Nikolaevka) on July 11, 1864. He was christened Peter. Peter spent his early years in Hadarcha. He started speaking late, at the age of four. By that time, his family had been quite anxious, and then suddenly he began to speak perfectly and clearly.

In his childhood, Peter Dunov sometimes displayed inexplicable abilities. One summer, he accompanied his parents to the fields to harvest the wheat. Some sheaves were ready but reaping was still in full swing when the young Peter climbed a stack and shouted: "Gather the wheat quickly! A storm is coming!" All the villagers heard this, but as the sky was perfectly clear they went on with their work. Only Peter's mother Dobra heeded his words. She dropped the sickle and told her family to gather the sheaves. They had just finished when a summer storm hit. Their neighbours' harvest was ruined. After that event, many of Peter's fellow-villagers trusted his ability to foresee the future.

 

Peter Dunov about Hadarcha

"Farmers in Hadarcha were used to growing only winter wheat. They regarded themselves as aristocrats and despised corn: corn is not for us, it is for the livestock; we need no corn, they said. They did not even sow summer wheat. A small village nearby, Vezir-Kozludja, was inhabited by Gagauzi. Our village looked down upon them, regarded them as inferior since they sowed more corn. One year, however, the wheat crop of the old "aristocrats" from Nikolaevka failed. Hunger set in, and although they had once neglected corn, they found themselves begging their neighbours for some. From that time on, all farmers in Hadarcha took to sowing about a hectare of corn along with the wheat. The lean year made them think better..."

In his early years, Peter was very observant. He was impressed by everything he saw or heard. He would listen to the song of birds and bend over streams. He was fascinated by all that was new and unfamiliar and was often absorbed by the books in the library of his grandfather Attanas. His odd ability to predict the future was displayed with increasing frequency. In one case, matchmakers came to their home. His sister Maria, however, did not love the man whom she was to marry. With a heavy heart, she walked into Peter's room, saw him absorbed by his books and decided not to disturb him. On her way out, she dropped a plait of corn cobs and the corn scattered all over the floor. Bending down to pick it up, she heard Peter's voice: "Do not worry; as this corn scattered, so will their plans." The next day, the engagement was broken off.

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