On the eve of October 19, when we bow before the heavenly patron of Bulgaria and Bulgarian doctors - St. Ivan Rilski (John of Rila), a round table will be held at the Bulgarian Cultural Institute in Rome on the topic: "Saint Ivan Rilski – a model of faith and a teacher of all Bulgarians".

The liturgical and cultural events prepared on October 18 and 19, with the participation of professors from the Faculty of Theology of Sveti Kliment Ohridski University in Sofia, will introduce the Bulgarian cultural public in the Eternal City to the life and work of the Bulgarian saint.

"The collegium of the Practical Theology Department is ready to write papers for participation in this forum, which can subsequently be published in a separate body of books dedicated to the life and activities of St. Ivan Rilski, the Miracle Worker," reports the director of the institute Zhana Yakovleva to BTA.

Not for the first time, Bulgarians living the Italian capital city will bow to the hermit monk who, with God's help and fervent prayers, helped many sick people to regain their health both during his lifetime and after his death. In 2021, with the blessing of His Eminence Western and Central European Metropolitan Antony, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Municipality of the Seven Saints (Sveti Sedmochislenitsi) commemorated the saint of Rila in the ancient church of San Paolo alla Regola in Rome.

Compiled by Elena Karkalanova