site.bta Bulgaria Commemorates Saint John of Rila

On Saturday, October 19, the Orthodox Church marked the feast of St. John of Rila, the most venerated example and model of Bulgarian holiness.

The place of St. John of Rila is invaluable for the Bulgarian people, Patriarch Daniil said on the occasion of the saint's feast, celebrated with a festal divine liturgy at Sofia Seminary's St. John of Rila church. In his speech, the Patriarch explained the place and importance of the saint for the spiritual life of the Bulgarian people. "May we all acquire this blessing, this grace that he acquired," he added.

"Today we celebrate one of the three feasts dedicated to St. John of Rila - the translation of his relics from Rila monastery to the city of Sredets (today's Sofia)," the Patriarch said. "People today celebrate a little resurrection, because after he left this world on August 18, 946, St. John appeared to his disciples and told them to open his tomb and carry his body to the city of Sredets," he added.

Patriarch Daniil noted that on this day, "we offer prayers to St. John of Rila to protect us, to help us pursue the path that he has shown us and bequeathed to us". "The city of Sofia clearly has the special patronage of the saint. He himself has indicated where his relics should be brought," he added.

On October 19, Rila monastery solemnly celebrated the Translation of the relics of the Reverend John of Rila the Miracle-worker from Rila Monastery to the city of Sredets - a feast known as Father's Day. The liturgy was headed by the Bishop of Nevrokop, Seraphim, in co-celebration with the Abbot of Rila Monastery, Bishop Evlogy of Adrianople, the Bishop of Agatopol Hierotheos and the cloister brethren.

Rila Monastery was filled with hundreds of pilgrims, who came with faith and hope in the help and intercession of the heavenly protector, the Reverend Father John. The traditional litya procession around the church also took place, in memory of the solemn procession more than a millennium ago. Bishop Seraphim recalled that the first words in the troparion hymn dedicated to the saint refer to repentance and an example of mercy. "That is why the troparion of St. John of Rila begins with repentance, because he himself with his life is an example of repentance, and none of us can be saved if we do not go through repentance, i.e. change," he said.