Rila Monastery

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.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church is observing the Transfiguration of the Lord with solemn services today. This holiday commemorates a pivotal event in Christ's earthly life, when He revealed His divine glory to three of His disciples before His suffering and crucifixion.

Bulgaria's euro coinage will depict two Bulgarian Orthodox saints as well as a 7th or 8th century rock relief dating found in the country's northeast, its central bank announced on Monday.

The government will allocate BGN 600,000 for the Rila Monastery. This was announced by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who visited the Holy Monastery.

Earlier, they complained that no funds had been transferred to the temple's treasury, although the monastery is on the UNESCO list.

Bulgaria's Rila Monastery on July 1 marks 550 years since the return of the relics of St. Ivan of Rila from the old capital of Veliko Turnovo to the Holy Monastery. The commemorative event took place in 1469. A lot of believers and pilgrims arrive from the country and abroad, some of whom came to the monastery days ago, writes BNT. 

Today Bulgaria celebrates the Day of National Enlighteners, a feast for all pupils, teachers, students, academics, scholars, community centre workers, scientists and journalists. The day was first celebrated in Plovdiv in 1909. On this day the Orthodox Church pays tribute to the patron of the Bulgarian people, St. Ivan Rilski.

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the death of Tsar Boris III. On this occasion, many of the churches of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church will be serve prayers, FOCUS News Agency reported.

The memorial service at his grave in the monastery temple "Nativity of the Blessed Virgin" in the Rila Monastery will be served by the Adrianopolitan Bishop Evlogi.

For a ninth consecutive year piligrims will walk the distance from Sofia to the Rila Monastery. Worshippers travel through some of the route that the relics of Saint Ivan Rilski were transferred from Veliko Tarnovo to the Holy Monastery in 1469.

Bulgaria is not on the bucket list of most travellers and many would find it difficult to place the country on a map. This is a shame because Bulgaria is an amazing, underrated travel destination, one that is blessed with stunning natural beauty and an abundance of fascinating places to visit. Listed below are ten of the most compelling reasons to travel to Bulgaria this year.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours on October 19 Saint Ivan Rilski, honored as the patron of the Bulgarian people.

St Ivan Rilski was the first Bulgarian recluse. He was revered as a saint when he was still alive and the legend says wild animals were coming to him and birds were landing on his hands.