Chicago, October 27, 2025
Photo: БПЦ "Св. Иван Рилски" - Чикаго (Bulgarian Orthodox Church)
On October 19, the feast day of St. John of Rila the Wonderworker, the Bulgarian community in Chicago celebrated a double occasion—the reopening of the St. John of Rila Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the resumption of its parish life after a long hiatus.
Founded in 1996, the parish had previously been under the Orthodox Church in America’s Bulgarian Diocese. In July 2025, it was officially accepted into the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s Diocese of the USA, Canada, and Australia. Extensive renovations were carried out to prepare for the move and to reopen the church’s doors to the faithful.
The historic event earlier this month was marked by a solemn Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop Kliment of Levski, who also installed the new parish priest, Fr. Kiril Kirilov, reports the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Photo: bta.bg
Despite the rainy weather, dozens of Bulgarians from Chicago and the surrounding area gathered to share this sacred moment.
With the reopening of the church, a new chapter begins for the Bulgarian Orthodox community in Chicago. Fr. Kiril, the newly appointed parish priest, is the first to serve at the church under the jurisdiction of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
Arriving with his wife, Presbytera Gyurgyia, Fr. Kiril brings a spirit of devotion and renewal. Having completed theological education at the Sofia Theological Seminary in his mature years, he has served in several churches and monasteries in Bulgaria, including St. Nicholas in Petrich and the St. George Monastery in Hadzhidimovo.
Photo: БПЦ "Св. Иван Рилски" - Чикаго (Bulgarian Orthodox Church)
His pastoral experience and commitment to spiritual life have prepared him to guide the Bulgarian community in Chicago with faith and compassion. His vision is to make St. John of Rila Church a vibrant center of prayer, education, and the preservation of Bulgarian spiritual traditions—a place open to all, especially to young people and children.
“Let us believe and never abandon our faith, as we walk together on the path of the Lord,” Fr. Kiril said.
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