Opalchentsi (опълченци) are Bulgarian voluntary army units, who took part in the Serbo-Turkish War of 1876 and the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878). The people in these units were called opalchenets-pobornik (опълченец-поборник) meaning volunteer combatant. It has been suggested that Romanian War of Independence be merged into this article or section. ...

The Bulgarian voluntary army units for the Russo-Turkish War were gathered after the manifesto of Alexander II of Russia, announcing the War. The meeting point of the Bulgarian volunteers in Russia was the town of Samara. The Bulgarian Opalchentsi were given the Samara flag bearing the images of the Holy Mother and Saints Cyril and Methodius (the flag is kept in the National Museum of Military History in Sofia). The Opalchentsi took part in the Second and Fourth Battle of Shipka Pass. The famous Shipka Opalchentsi ode of Ivan Vazov is dedicated to them. A manifesto is a public declaration of principles and intentions, often political in nature. ... Alexander (Aleksandr) II Nikolaevich (Russian: Александр II Николаевич) (born 17 April 1818 in Moscow; died 13 March 1881 in St. ... Samara (Russian: ), from 1935 to 1991—Kuybyshev (), is a major city situated on the Volga River in the southeastern part of European Russia, Volga Federal District, the administrative center of Samara Oblast. ... Christian churches teach various doctrines concerning Mary, who is the subject of much veneration. ... Monument to Sts. ... Combatants Russia Ottoman Empire Commanders General Darozhinsky Suleiman Pasha Strength 5,000 30,000 Casualties 3,600 10,000 The Second Battle of Shipka Pass took place in 1877. ... Combatants Russia Ottoman Empire Commanders Joseph Gourko Vessil Pasha Strength 65,000 40,000 Casualties ? 4,000 killed or wounded 36,000 surrendered The Fourth Battle of Shipka Pass from January 5–9 was the final battle for Shipka Pass and a crushing Russian victory during the Russo-Turkish War... Ode (Classical Greek: ) is a form of stately and elaborate lyrical verse. ... This article is in need of attention. ...