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

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

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil holds the festive liturgy at the Rila Monastery

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. 
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.”


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.


Read also:



Edited by Darina Grigorova
English version: R. Petkova



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

St John of Rila – the Miracle-Worker of the Rila Wilderness

On 19 October, Bulgarians commemorate St Ivan Rilski, also known as St John of Rila, who is considered the country’s heavenly protector. He founded the Rila Monastery, which is the largest and most influential spiritual centre in Bulgaria. Ivan..

published on 10/19/25 7:30 AM

Father Genadiy from Artsyz: Bulgaria is the root of my heart and my blood

Father Genadiy Martinov is a Bessarabian Bulgarian, born in the village of Devetliy, Odessa province (Ukraine). Two centuries ago, his family lived in Eastern Thrace, near Edirne, but after the end of the Russo-Turkish War (1828–1829), during a period..

published on 10/18/25 7:15 AM

Grave of young woman dating to 2nd century discovered near village in Southeastern Bulgaria

An intact grave of a young woman dating to the beginning of the 2nd century AD has been discovered by archaeologists near the village of Kapitan Petko Voivoda, Topolovgrad Municipality announced. The team that made the discovery is led by Daniela Agre..

published on 10/16/25 4:08 PM