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The national pilgrimage marking the return of the relics of St. John of Rila from Veliko Tarnovo to Rila Monastery begins

Photo: Yana Momchilova

The national pilgrimage marking the return of the relics of St. John of Rila from the town of Veliko Tarnovo to the Rila Monastery has begun. 

The route connecting the old Bulgarian capital and the Rila Monastery is 700 kilometers long and crosses 70 churches and monasteries. The pilgrimage will end on August 6.

On October 19, 1238 the relics of St John of Rila were solemnly transferred to the new capital, Tarnovo, and put in a church dedicated to the saint. In the year 1469, Saint John's relics were translated to the Rila monastery where they rest to the present day. 




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