Rila, October 22, 2025
Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
The feast of St. John of Rila, the Heavenly protector of the Bulgarian people and founder of the Rila Monastery, was solemnly celebrated on October 19 at the historic monastery bearing his name. The Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph of the United States, Canada, and Australia, who led the festal services in concelebration with hierarchs and clergy from across Bulgaria.
The celebration began on the evening of October 18 with a festal All-Night Vigil with Artoklasia, led by His Grace Bishop Vassil of Dragovitia, abbot of Troyan Monastery, together with Archimandrite Stefan from the same monastery, members of the Rila brotherhood, and clergy from several dioceses. Other heirarchs prayerfully participated, including Met. Joseph, reports the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
The service was sung Bulgarian and Greek choirs.
Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
On the feast day itself, Met. Joseph, who has led the Diocese of the USA, Canada, and Australia since 1986, presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. At the conclusion of the service, he addressed the faithful with words of gratitude and encouragement, reflecting on the enduring role of St. John of Rila as a protector and intercessor for the Bulgarian people:
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors St. John of Rila the Wonderworker as the Heavenly guardian of the entire Bulgarian nation—in Thrace, Moesia, and Macedonia. As part of this people, we Bulgarians living abroad strive to celebrate him and to seek his help in our lives ahead. Five Bulgarian churches in the United States, Canada, and Australia are dedicated to his name.
He continued:
St. John is a patron of all Bulgarians because he is a great man of God. Our people know him and seek his prayers—not only in Bulgaria, but also beyond its borders. For 1,180 years we have glorified and prayed to him, asking for his intercession in times of trial and in times of joy. He shines not only high in the Rila Mountains but also on the spiritual horizon of our nation, a bright star that has never faded throughout our history as Church and people.
Photo: bg-patriarshia.bg
Met. Joseph concluded with an appeal to remain faithful to the spiritual legacy of St. John of Rila:
“If we are true spiritual children of St. John, we must keep his covenant—to love God, to love one another, and to live in peace with all. Let us all say: ‘Venerable Father John, pray to God for us.’”
At the close of the Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Evlogy of Adrianople, abbot of the monastery, expressed gratitude on behalf of the brotherhood to Met. Joseph for presiding over the feast and for his heartfelt sermon. He also thanked the participating bishops, choirs, and the numerous pilgrims who came to honor the saint.
As is traditional, the celebration concluded with a procession around the monastery’s main church, marking the culmination of the feast of St. John of Rila the Wonderworker, the Heavenly protector of Bulgaria.
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