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Ivan Rilski is the most beloved and revered Bulgarian saint

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Photo: BGNES

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, Saint Ivan (John) of Rila is one of the most beloved and revered Bulgarian saints. He was born into a wealthy family somewhere around 876 in the village of Skrino in the Osogovo Mountains and lived in times of a wide spread of Christianity in Bulgarian lands.

As a young man, Ivan Rilski longed to devote himself to the service of God. When he was 25, his parents died and he gave away his share of the inheritance to the poor and the sick and entered a monastery in the mountains.

After accepting monasticism, Ivan of Rila left the monastery and wandered the mountains for a long time before settling in the Rila Mountain, where he became known as a healer and miracle worker. Thus the saint gained many followers. The Rila Monastery, the most cherished of all Bulgarians, a UNESCO monument, has preserved the faith and spirituality of the people over the centuries. Its first abbot was precisely Ivan Rilski. His fame spreads far from the Rila mountain throughout the borders not only of Bulgaria, but also of Europe.
Rila Monastery
Saint Ivan the Wonderworker of Rila left this earthly world on August 18, 946, at the age of about 70. On this date, the church celebrates his Assumption. And the main feast of the saint in the Orthodox calendar is the so-called Otchovden (Father's Day) on October 19. 

Read more about the heavenly patron of the Bulgarians from Darina Grigorova's publications for Radio Bulgaria:


Compiled by Veneta Nikolova

Photos: BGNES, BTA

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Radio Bulgaria History and religion    Bulgarian Orthodox Church Ivan Rilski Orthodox calendar Rila Monastery Rila Mountain Saint Ivan Rilski

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