On October 19, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors the memory of the humble hermit from the Rila mountain and heavenly patron of the Bulgarian people and Bulgarian doctors. Called "an earthly angel" and "a heavenly inhabitant" during his lifetime,..
Lay people, politicians and public figures flocked to "The Nativity of the Virgin" church in Rila Monastery to attend a liturgy and a memorial service on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the death of Tsar Boris III. His son Simeon..
The 80th anniversary of the death of Tsar Boris III will be marked today at the Rila Monastery. On this occasion, a liturgy will be served in the church of the Rila Monastery at 9.30 am. A memorial service will take place at 11.00 am. His son Simeon..
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..
To go on a pilgrimage to yourself with the help of faith. This adventure – a symbiosis between the spiritual and physical world, human endurance and faith, past and present is not something unknown, especially to us Europeans. One of the most..
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the entry of the Rila Monastery into the World Heritage List, in the period from April 24 to 28, 2023, a photo exhibition titled "The Heart of Bulgaria" is presented at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris...
Forget the coast and its hordes of tourists - inland Bulgaria is home to hillside monasteries, dazzling lakes and charming cities. That's what freelance journalist Charlie Kitcat writes for the British tabloid "The Daily Mail" . His journey in Bulgaria..
On the eve of the feast of the heavenly patron of Bulgaria, St. John of Rila (Ivan Rilski), hundreds of Orthodox Christians head to the monastery established by him in the heart of Rila Mountain for an all-night vigil. According to tradition,..
On 18 August the Bulgarian Orthodox church marks the Assumption of St. John (Yoan) of Rila, the most revered Bulgarian saint, protector of Bulgaria, also called the miracle-worker of Rila. John of Rila is one of the most prominent figures of the..
“He who wants to be first amongst you, let him be the servant of all.” According to legend, that was the advice St. Ivan of Rila gave Tsar Peter while politely declining the royal gifts he had brought. The hermit monk set a personal example – tearing..
