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Saint Ivan Rilski is declared the heavenly patron of Bulgarians

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the feast of Saint Ivan Rilski

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.

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

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