Balgarianovinite.com The library of Rila Monastery Tuesday hosted an event presenting the August issue of BTA’s LIK magazine for art and culture, which is dedicated to St. John of Rila and the Rila Monastery he founded. This year marks 1,080 years since the saint’s repose. It also marks 1,150 years since 876, when he is believed to have been born.
The launch event was held with video link with BTA’s national press clubs in Bulgaria, Athens and Taraclia, Moldova.
Among the speakers were Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil, Metropolitan Serafim of Nevrokop and Bishop Evlogiy of Adrianople, the hegumen of Rila Monastery, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev and LIK Editor-in-Chief Georgi Lozanov.
In his remarks on the occasion, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev said that “on the saint’s feast days, we understand best that Bulgaria is a common home for Bulgarians at home and around the world”. Thanking the Rila Monastery for the opportunity to hold the event “at one of the most significant libraries in Bulgaria”, he said that in this LIK issue, St. John of Rila’s testament is mentioned repeatedly, “and today, on his feast day, we received yet another testimony that it is possible for Bulgarians to live in harmony in their thoughts and souls, to be a community of hearts and minds,” Valchev said, recalling the words of Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil from a service at the monastery earlier on Tuesday.
Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil congratulated all Bulgarian people on the feast of St. John of Rila. In his words, St. John of Rila “has been an undisputed authority for every person who has come into contact with his life, visited this place and had the opportunity to see with their own eyes and touch with their own hands, to bow before his incorruptible body, his holy relics, and to feel and carry in their souls some of the mercy, grace and blessing that the saint asks for on behalf of us all”.
Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop said that St. John of Rila was concerned not only with himself and his own personal bliss in prayer to God, but also carried in his heart care, compassion, and love for his people and, indeed, for all humanity.
Bishop Evlogii of Adrianople, hegumen of the Rila Monastery said that St. John of Rila is a pan-Orthodox saint whose memory will be honoured until the end of the world. The fact that the memory of St. John of Rila has remained alive and honoured for more than ten centuries proves his significance far beyond Bulgaria’s borders, he said, stressing that the memory of the heavenly patron saint of the Bulgarian people is preserved both through the Rila Monastery and through generations of Bulgarians for whom the saint remains their most beloved spiritual protector.
Bishop Meletius of Znepol, Rector of the St John of Rila Sofia Theological Seminary, described the new LIK as “an opportunity not only to preserve the memory of the saint, but also to carry his presence into the future — to young people, adults and generations to come.” He commends having in this LIK a part about the Sofia Theological Seminary. “It bears the name of St John of Rila and is also closely connected with the Rila Monastery,” he added.
Archpriest Kiril Popov, parish priest at the Cathedral Church of St. Nedelya in Sofia and conductor of the Sofia Priests’ Choir said that believers are inspired by the saint’s spiritual feat, but it is also important that they follow his example – in strong faith, vibrant spirit and joy in the Lord. He added that the saint should be glorified with the words of his troparion, which he then sang.
Father Sava Kokudev joined the Rila Monastery event via video conference to share his experience of participating in a traditional 120-kilometre pilgrimage from Sofia to Rila Monastery. “The Rila Wonderworker pilgrimage is one way of experiencing this testimony in the present,” he said. He also said that the image of St. John of Rila is portrayed in contemporary Bulgarian culture today through this LIK magazine, and we need this portrayal
LIK Editor-in-Chief Georgi Lozanov called St. John of Rila “one of the most important individuals in Bulgarian spiritual history and Bulgarian Christianity, which thanks to both the church and human understanding has come close to almost every Bulgarian”.
“The memory of St. John of Rila will remain among our people, it will always endure. The memory of St. John of Rila remains and will continue to live on among the Bulgarian people because we need examples to follow. We are given various examples, but the example of St. John of Rila is unique, and preserving his legacy is also a guarantee of preserving our Bulgarian national identity,” theologian Prof. Dr. Ivan Zhelev said during the event at the monastery.
Historian Maria Zlatkova said that the history of the Rila Monastery in modern times has been insufficiently researched and expressed her gratitude to the BTA and LIK magazine management for inviting her to contribute an article to the publication. According to Zlatkova, the article in LIK magazine is essentially a condensed version of her book, “The Rila Monastery in Modern Times (1944–2019): Politics, Ideology, Faith,” which she worked on for several years while serving as a curator at the Rila Monastery. She explained that the publication examines the monastery’s recent history from 1944 to the present day. “This is a period that is largely unknown to the general public and has been insufficiently researched,” Zlatkova said.
Guests in several BTA press press clubs joined the launch event via video conference: in Burgas, Vidin, Kardzhali, Pernik, Stara Zagora, Troyan, Targovishte, Haskovo, the Greek capital Athens, and Taraclia in Moldova.
In Burgas, Atanasiya Petrova said that a new children’s and youth choir will teach Eastern Orthodox chant. “Every child who joins the choir will learn about the life of St. John of Rila,” Petrova said. She and Shtelyan Dimov are forming the choir at the Sunday school of St. John of Rila Church. With the blessing of Metropolitan Arseniy of Sliven, the initiative will pass Orthodox musical and spiritual traditions on to the next generation through music.
BTA Kardzhali Correspondent Valentina Stoeva presented a video report on St. John of Rila Church in Krumovgrad. Local residents Ginyu Kantardzhiev, Rusin Rusinov and Haralambi Kolev set up a fund in 1934 to build the church. Church Board Member Vanya Atanasova said it was modelled on Sofia’s St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and named after Bulgaria’s patron saint. Metropolitan Kiril of Plovdiv, who later became Bulgarian Patriarch, consecrated the church. An inscription above one of its gates records a visit by King Boris III.
The presentation in Pernik focused on St. John of Rila, his spiritual legacy and his ties to the city. Guests included St. John of Rila Primary School Principal Tsvetana Piralkova and Hegumenia Pavla of St. Petka Monastery in Kalkas, Western Bulgaria. A former journalist, Pavla has recorded numerous local legends about saints, including St. John of Rila. The discussion traced the saint’s links to Pernik through the mining town’s history, traditions and education.
Father Tsvetan Atanasov of St. Nicholas of Myra the Wonderworker Church in Stara Zagora said he first read St. John of Rila’s Testament about 22 years ago and has understood it in the same way ever since. “St. John of Rila’s Testament is not a message for monks alone, but for every person who wants to fulfil the purpose God has ordained for them – to have eternal life. It is a spiritual algorithm that teaches us how to live truly,” Atanasov said.
BTA Stara Zagora Correspondent Emil Dimov screened a video interview with Mini Maritsa Iztok Deputy Executive Director Dimitar Cholakov. The report also showed the 32-metre monument to St. John of Rila in Radnevo, Bulgaria’s tallest monument to the patron saint of miners.
Bishop Vasiliy of Dragovitia, who heads the Troyan Monastery of the Dormition of the Mother of God, addressed people seeking faith. “God leaves no one outside His courts and turns no one away. On the contrary, He is the One who opens hearts and wombs,” Vasiliy said.
Archpriest Slavcho Prodanov, episcopal vicar of the Targovishte ecclesiastical district, and theologian Stefka Dobreva, who heads a local Sunday school, said a church-run soup kitchen and the school had promoted Christian values for 30 years. Prodanov linked St. John of Rila with Christian charity, saying it should be expressed through both prayer and daily care for people in need. The soup kitchen at the city’s central St. John of Rila Church has served hot meals to sick and socially disadvantaged people for 30 years.
Church Board Member Evgenia Angelova visited BTA’s National Press Club in Haskovo. “St. John of Rila Church in Haskovo is being built with support not only from Orthodox Christians but also from members of other faiths, from schools, children and various civic organizations,” Angelova said.
BTA Haskovo Correspondent Krasimira Slavova screened an interview with Father Nikola, who chairs the church board and oversees the fundraising and construction. The shell has reached the dome, both crosses are ready and a donor has been found for the bells. The dome is being clad, while the iconostasis and floor mosaic are in production. Construction began in 1997, was later suspended and resumed in 2023. The church is expected to be completed within a year or two.
BTA Athens Correspondent Ivan Lazarov presented an interview with Bulgarian Language and Culture Lecturer Gencho Banev of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Banev discussed his research into the choice of St. John of Rila’s image for Bulgaria’s one-lev coin and later its one-euro coin. He also discussed his translation of the inscription on the saint’s scroll The Lord Rests in Meek Hearts.
Banev said an international interdisciplinary academic forum was planned in Athens in late October as part of the commemorations of the 1,080th anniversary of St. John of Rila’s repose. The scholar attended the LIK launch at Rila Monastery in person. Athens University Student Konstantina Xiarchou said the saint reminds people to practise moderation and seek simplicity in life.
Natalia Artiomina of the Ivan Vazov Theoretical Lyceum in Taraclia teaches Bulgarian language and literature, as well as the history and culture of the Bulgarian people. “St. John of Rila can hold an important place in the education of Bulgarians in Moldova as a symbol of spiritual memory, moral values and national identity,” Artiomina said. New Issue of BTA’s LIK Magazine Pays Homage to St. John of Rila and Rila Monastery 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-08-18 17:24:00 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law