John Exarch (John the Exarch, also transcribed Joan Exarch, Joan Ekzarh) was a medieval Bulgarian scholar, writer and translator, one of the most important men of letters working at the Preslav Literary School at the end of the 9th and the beginning of the 10th century. Evidence about his life is scarce but his literary legacy suggests an excellent knowledge of Greek. It is generally assumed that John Exarch received his education at one of the Byzantine literary schools.

John Exarch’s literary work includes a number of translations of medieval Byzantine authors, the most important of which is the translation of On Orthodox Christianity by Byzantine theologian Ioann Damaskin (ca. 895). He is also the author of several original works and compilations, the most important whereof is the compilation Шестоднев (Shestodnev). The compilation includes parts of the works of several Byzantine authors, most notably Basilius the Great, as well as original parts which give valuable first-hand evidence about the Bulgarian Empire under Simeon I (893 – 927). John Exarch describes the royal palace and the Bulgarian ruler and gives information about his attire, the boyars, the social stratification of the Bulgarian society, etc.

See also

• History of Bulgaria
• Preslav Literary School
• Simeon I of Bulgaria