Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil held a solemn service at the Rila Monastery that was dedicated to St John of Rila the Miracle Maker, the heavenly patron of the Bulgarian people. On October 19, the Church commemorates the transfer of the saint’s holy relics from Rila to Sredets.
Hundreds of worshippers from Bulgaria and abroad gathered at the holy for the feast.
In his address following the divine service, Daniil emphasized the spiritual significance of the feast. He said: “It is a special joy and blessing for all of us on this festive day, which marks the culmination of this year’s solemn commemoration of the 1,150th anniversary of St John’s birth and 1,080th anniversary of his repose, to be together with our brother and friend in Christ, the Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who readily accepted the invitation of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Holy Synod to share and experience with all of us this very important feast.”
Bartholomew noted that St John of Rila is not only the patron saint of Bulgaria but also a spiritual example for all of Orthodoxy. He called on the faithful to uphold the teachings of the saint and the purity of the Orthodox faith.
Bartholomew said: “We have come here with deep emotion and great joy, not only because we wish to venerate St John of Rila, whom we also hold in special esteem, and his blessed relics, which have rested in this holy place for centuries, and to implore his intercession before God for all of us and for the Church. We have also come because you yourselves are dear to us, and we always long to rejoice in seeing your faces, to witness your spiritual growth and prosperity in God, to unite in prayer and sacred service as we celebrate the sacrament of the Church in the Divine Liturgy, and to participate together in the communion of life as true brothers in Christ.”
Among the guests at the celebration were former prime minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Greek Ambassador to Bulgaria Despina Koukoulopoulou, Blagoevgrad Regional Governor Vasil Trendafilov, South-West University Neofit Rilski Rector Nikolay Marin, professors, and mayors.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil Hold Service at Rila Monastery THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-10-19 13:05:44
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