Podcast in English
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

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!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The Slavic alphabet, created by Saints Cyril and Methodius, was written in Old Bulgarian

Every tree has roots. The bigger the tree, the deeper its roots. We are all united here in Southeast Europe. It is our saints that unite us, not divide us. This was stated in an interview with Radio Bulgaria by Prof. Konstantinos Nichoritis. A graduate..

published on 5/24/25 8:25 AM
Metropolitan Arseniy of Sliven

The Sliven Metropolis is opposed to the Nestinarstvo tradition

Metropolitan Arseniy of Sliven has spoken out against the nestinari (fire dancers), prohibiting them from using icons during their rituals. This announcement was made on the Sliven Metropolis's official website and Facebook page. In his statement,..

published on 5/21/25 2:15 PM
The Cyril and Methodius monument in front of the National Library in Sofia.

Scientists from 14 countries meet to discuss the legacy of Christian missions in the Middle Ages

An international scientific conference will be held in Sofia from 21 to 24 May, the days preceding the celebration of Saints Cyril and Methodius, announced the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). The conference, titled "Christian Missions in the European..

published on 5/21/25 9:10 AM