Table of Contents
Who is the patron saint of Bulgaria?
Ivan of Rila
Ivan of Rila is considered the patron saint of Bulgaria and Bulgarian people, and he is venerated widely both in his native country as well as among the Bulgarian diaspora abroad.
How old is Rila Monastery?
10th century
Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy site and were transformed into a monastic complex which played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria.
Is there a St Ivan?
He is honored as the patron saint of the Bulgarians and as one of the most important saints in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. St. Ivan Rilski is patron of numerous temples and monasteries in Bulgaria, among which he founded the Rila Monastery.
How many churches are there in Bulgaria?
Bulgarian Orthodox Church
| Patriarchate of Bulgaria Българска патриаршия | |
|---|---|
| Priests | 1,500 |
| Parishes | 2,600 |
| Monasteries | 120 |
| Language | Bulgarian and Old Church Slavonic (Old Bulgarian) |
How many monks live in Rila Monastery?
60 monks
The monastery is named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila (876 – 946 AD), and houses around 60 monks.
Can you stay at Rila Monastery?
You can spend a night at the monastery. There are dormitories and private rooms aimed primarily for people on Orthodox Christian pilgrimage visit to the monastery. An easier option is to make a reservation at hotel Tsarev Vrah which is owned by the Rila Monastery.
What is Bulgaria main religion?
The constitution recognizes Eastern Orthodox Christianity as the country’s “traditional” religion, and the law exempts the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC) from registration.
How do you get to Sofia from Rila Monastery?
There is direct bus line from Sofia (10:20 departure from Ovcha Kupel bus station) to Rila Monastery (arrives 13:00). The return departure is at 15:00 from Rila Monastery, so you have 2 hours to visit the place.
How do you get to Rila Monastery?
To Rila Monastery by BUS: There’s only one daily public bus to Rila Monastery. It leaves at 10:20 from the West bus station (Ovcha Kupel). You can get there in around 25 minutes with tram N5 just behind our starting point at the Palace of Justice. The bus arrives around 13:00.
What was the legend of John of Rila?
The legend surrounding him tells of wild animals that freely came up to him and birds that landed in his hands. His followers founded many churches in his honor, including the famous Rila Monastery. One of these churches, “St Ivan Rilski” was only discovered in 2008 in the town of Veliko Tarnovo.
Where did st.ivan of Rila live?
Saint Ivan Rilski – fresco from the church in Rila monastery, Bulgaria. Shortly after the saint’s death, his remains, which were thought to have wonder-working powers, were transferred to Sofia during the reign of Peter I.
Who was the first saint of Rila Bulgaria?
Saint Ivan of Rila ( Bulgarian: Свети преподобни Йоан Рилски Чудотворец, Svеti prеpodobni Yoan Rilski Chudotvorеts; English: Saint (monk) John of Rila the Wondermaker) (876 – c. 946) was the first Bulgarian hermit. He was revered as a saint while he was still alive.
Who is the patron saint of Rila Antarctica?
The altar of St. Ivan Rilski Chapel in Antarctica. St. Ivan of Rila is considered the patron saint of Bulgaria and Bulgarian people, and he is venerated widely both in his native country as well as among the Bulgarian diaspora abroad.