BULGARIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH MARKS THE ASSUMPTION OF SAINT IVAN RILKSI THE MIRACLE MAKER

On 18th of August, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the assumption of Saint Ivan Rilski, the miracle maker, honoured as the patron saint of the Bulgarian people.

Today’s holiday marks 1,070 years since the death of the saint. He is the founder of the Rila Monastery. Many worshipers flocked to the monastery to light a candle and say a prayer for good health.

The Bulgarian patriarch Neophyte celebrated a holy mass in the chapel of the monastery.

Saint Ivan Rilski was born app. 876 a.c. in Skrino, at the foot of the Osogovo mountain,close to the modern city of Dupnitsa, South-Western Bulgaria.

At the age of 25, he gave away his inheritance to the poor and accepted the life of a monk. The founder of the Rila Monastery is revered as Bulgarian saint, but he was famous throughout the Balkan Peninsula.

Thousands gathered throughout the day to get a view of the relics of the miracle maker.

Many decided to walk on the steep path leading to the grave of St. Ivan Rilski and the cave, in which he lived. It is believed that whoever manages to pass through it will receive forgiveness of sins.