Honoring St. John of Rila: Bulgaria's Spiritual Guardian and Wondermaker

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is honoring the Dormition of St. John of Rila, known as the Wondermaker and regarded as the spiritual guardian of the Bulgarian people. St. John of Rila, the most cherished native saint, lived during the ninth and tenth centuries. His life as a hermit in the Rila Mountains serves as an example of spiritual excellence.

Today, Orthodox churches will resonate with words of praise: "The foundation of repentance, an example of mercy, a model of consolation and spiritual perfection was your equal angelic life, monks. Father John, who lived in prayer, fasting, and tears, pray to Christ God for our souls!"