Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The national pilgrimage marking the return of the relics of St. John of Rila from Veliko Tarnovo to Rila Monastery begins

Photo: Yana Momchilova

The national pilgrimage marking the return of the relics of St. John of Rila from the town of Veliko Tarnovo to the Rila Monastery has begun. 

The route connecting the old Bulgarian capital and the Rila Monastery is 700 kilometers long and crosses 70 churches and monasteries. The pilgrimage will end on August 6.

On October 19, 1238 the relics of St John of Rila were solemnly transferred to the new capital, Tarnovo, and put in a church dedicated to the saint. In the year 1469, Saint John's relics were translated to the Rila monastery where they rest to the present day. 




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The folk custom

Ivanovden is among the favorite winter holidays

Today, The Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saint John the Baptist, also known as Saint John the Forerunner, because he prepared people for the coming of the Savior. The day dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, known in Bulgaria as..

published on 1/7/25 6:05 AM

Bulgarians across the country take out the cross on Epiphany

On January 6, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is marking Epiphany. According to the Bible, on this day John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. Traditionally, a festive Epiphany liturgy is held in churches, water is blessed, and then..

published on 1/6/25 6:10 PM

147 years since the liberation of Sofia

The fighting for Sofia within the framework of the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878) began on December 25, 1877. On January 3, 1878, the city's commandant Osman Nuri Pasha began to withdraw from Sofia.  His plans to set the city on fire were thwarted..

published on 1/4/25 6:30 AM