Patriarch Bartholomew announces his visit to Bulgaria in October

Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: basilica.ro

Patriarch Bartholomew will visit Bulgaria on October 19, 2026, on the occasion of the feast of Saint John of Rila. The visit will take place at the invitation of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and include the Ecumenical Patriarch's participation in the celebrations at St. Rila's Monastery and in Sofia, reports Basilica.ro.

The events are dedicated to the 1150th anniversary of the birth and the 1080th anniversary of the repose of Saint John of Rila, one of the most venerated saints of the Bulgarian people. The announcement of the upcoming visit was made during a Divine service at the St. John of Rila Church of the Bulgarian community in Istanbul.

Patriarch Bartholomew also recalled the significance of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the spread of the Christian faith among the Bulgarian people and stated that the canonical belonging of the Bulgarian community of Istanbul to the Constantinopolitan See does not imply a loss of its own identity. The Liturgy was attended by the Consul General of Bulgaria in Istanbul, pilgrims from Bulgaria, and representatives of the local Bulgarian community.

St. John of Rila is considered the heavenly patron of Bulgaria. His incorrupt relics rest at St. Rila's Monastery, which has been the spiritual center of the country since the times of Ottoman rule.

As the UOJ reported, according to media reports, a Bulgarian cleric who served with the OCU attempted to influence the Patriarchal elections.

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