Rila, Kyustendil Province, Bulgaria, August 9, 2024
Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
A 6-day procession and pilgrimage dedicated to Bulgaria’s greatest saint concluded on the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord at Rila Monastery.
This year marked the 15th annual Rila Wonderworker pilgrimage, which symbolically retraces the transfer of the relics of St. John of Rila in 1469. The route covers 65 miles, from Sofia to the Rila Monastery.
More than 200 pilgrims participated this year, traveling through the picturesque mountains of southwestern Bulgaria. Every day was filled with prayers, services, holy water blessings, akathists to St. John, and spiritual conversations. The pilgrims were hospitably received by local Christians in every settlement along the way, reports the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
On August 5, His Holiness Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria celebrated the traditional holy water blessing at Babreka Lake. From there, the pilgrims undertook the most challenging part of the journey—the descent to Rila Monastery. At the holy habitation, they were greeted by the abbot, His Grace Bishop Evlogy of Adrianople, and the monastic brotherhood.
On August 6, the glorious Transfiguration of Christ, the pilgrims participated in the festive hierarchical Divine Liturgy, served in the main monastery church. The service was led by Bp. Evlogy, concelebrated by His Grace Bishop Hierotheos of Agathopolis, the monastery brothers, and clergy from the capital who participated in the pilgrimage. Most of the pilgrims received the Body and Blood of Christ, for which they had been preparing throughout the difficult journey.
At the end of the Liturgy, Bp. Evlogy congratulated the pilgrims, who then read another akathist to St. John at the grave near the cave of St. John of Rila.
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