Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria mark the Dormition of St. John of Rila

Photo: BGNES

Orthodox Christians mark the Dormition of St. John of Rila, who is considered the heavenly protector of the Bulgarian people.

The saint was born in the village of Skrino in the Osogovo Mountain in the second half of the 9th century, when Christianity took root among the Bulgarian people. He spent his life in seclusion, fasting and prayer in various places but mostly in Rila Mountain.

In the monastery founded by him, he left a written testament with valuable advice to his followers. He was buried in the mountain next to the place of his seclusion and later his body was found to be incorruptible and placed in the Rila Monastery, where it is kept to this day.



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

Roman engineering genius comes to life beneath the streets of ancient Ratiaria

Just days ago, archaeologists uncovered part of the complex underground infrastructure that once served the Roman baths of Ratiaria - one of the most important ancient cities in Bulgaria’s northwest.   Founded in the 1st century in the area of..

published on 11/23/25 10:15 AM

When horsemen and mystical rituals come to life in gold and silver – the Letnitsa Treasure

In the world of the Thracians, who had no written language, the most important messages were conveyed through art. The Letnitsa Treasure is precisely such a message — about power, beliefs, and the path to wisdom . This unique discovery, dated between..

published on 11/22/25 7:00 AM

On November 21 we mark the Day of the Orthodox Christian Family

On November 21, the day of the Presentation of Virgin Mary (or the Entry of the most Holy Theotokos into the Temple), the Orthodox Bulgarians also celebrate the Day of the Christian Family and the Learning Youth.  The holiday was established by the..

published on 11/21/25 7:20 PM