The Bulgarian Church honors Saint John of Rila

August 18-19, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrated the memory day of one of the biggest Bulgarian saints – Saint John of Rila, reports Romfea.

In the monastery founded by St. John, Patriarch Neophyte of All Bulgaria led a holy vigil and solemn Divine Liturgy. He was concelebrated with the metropolitans and bishops of the Bulgarian Church and other churches, who arrived at the monastery, where the relics of the famous ascetic of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church rest.

During the service, the Synodical Encyclical on 1070 years of the demise of St. John of Rila was read. The Holy Synod called on all the pious people in Bulgaria to follow the example of St. John, who loved God and endured with fortitude and patience the trials and temptations.

After the Divine Liturgy Patriarch Neophyte made a homily on the life and personality of St. John, stressing that he was always the spiritual patron of Bulgarian people.

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