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August 18 - the feast of the Assumption of Saint Ivan Rilski

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil holds the festive liturgy at the Rila Monastery

published on 8/18/25 12:40 PM

Photo: BTA

On the feast of the Dormition of Saint Ivan Rilski, the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil led the Divine Liturgy at the Rila Monastery. On the eve of the feast, he bowed before the relics of the patron saint of the Bulgarian people and served vespers in the monastery.

Ivan Rilski is the most beloved and revered Bulgarian saint

At the end of the service, the Patriarch called on the faithful to pray to the Rila saint “to intercede for the Lord to support us on our path, to strengthen our faith, to strengthen our piety, to pass on the faith and Orthodox piety to those who come after us.”

St. John of Rila and St. John of Kronstadt – two great saints united in love for people

Saint Ivan Rilski (Saint John of Rila) is the founder of Bulgaria's biggest monastery - the Rila Holy Monastery and is honored several times a year - on the day of his death on August 18, in 946, on October 19, when his relics were transferred to Sredets (Sofia), and on July 1, when they were returned from Tarnovo to his monastery in the Rila Mountains.

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Edited by Darina Grigorova
English version: R. Petkova

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Radio Bulgaria History and religion Assumption of Saint Ivan Rilski Bulgarian patriarch Daniil Patriach of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Rila Monastery Saint Ivan Rilski Saint John of Rila

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