Share

Text size

Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Saint Ivan Rilski is declared the heavenly patron of Bulgarians

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the feast of Saint Ivan Rilski

published on 8/18/23 1:39 PM

Photo: BGNES

On August 18, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church venerates the feast day of Saint Ivan Rilski (John of Rila) - one of the greatest figures of the Middle Ages who influenced the entire Eastern Orthodox world.

He was born around 876 in the village of Skrino in the Osogovo Mountains. He lived during the time of Bulgarian Knyaz Boris and Tsars Simeon and Peter. He adopted monasticism early and lives as a hermit in various places in Western Bulgaria.

Finally, he settled in the Rila Mountain and founded the Rila Monastery. In 980 he was canonized.

The saint has been declared the outstanding heavenly patron of the Bulgarian people and their intercessor before God, as well as the most popular Bulgarian folk saint and healer.

Many churches and monasteries in the country bear the name of the saint.

On August 18, the day of his assumption in 946, many people flock to Rila Monasery and Ruen Monastery to pay homage to the saint.

Read also:

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria History and religion Bulgarian Orthodox Church hermit Ivan Rilski John of Rila monasticism Rila Rila Monastery saint Saint Ivan Rilski

More from category

Photo: Holy Trinity Church in Madison, Ilinois

Bulgarian Orthodox community in Madison needs a priest for the Bulgarian Holy Trinity Church

The church board of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church “Holy Trinity” in Madison, Illinois (USA), has announced on its Facebook page that it needs a priest to serve in the church. “We humbly ask all brothers and sisters in Christ – in the wider..

published on 8/27/25 1:34 PM

Bronze statuette of a goddess from the Greco-Roman pantheon discovered on Kaliakra

An archaeological expedition led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Boni Petrunova – Director of the National Museum of History, discovered a massive bronze statuette of a goddess from the Greco-Roman pantheon. The artifact was found in residential premises in the..

published on 8/26/25 6:10 AM

Archaeologists uncover 13 ancient graves in central Sofia

13 ancient graves were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted on the premises of the National Academy of Art in Sofia. The excavation is led by archaeologist Elena Nikolova from the Regional History Museum. The excavations began on..

published on 8/22/25 9:44 AM

1
..
5
6
7
8
9
10

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Overcast, rain
Min: 4 | Max: 11

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?

MOST VIEWED

Tsars Peter and Asen restored the Bulgarian state 840 years ago

In 1018, after half a century of struggle, the First Bulgarian Empire was conquered by Byzantium. Despite the many uprisings of the..

published on 10/26/25 5:05 AM

shopify analytics ecommerce
tracking