Pilgrimage to St. John of Rila begins in Sofia

For the 15th consecutive year, the "Miracle Worker of Rila" pilgrimage gathers Orthodox Christians from near and far to walk from Sofia to the Rila Monastery. The Holy Metropolis of Sofia announces on its website that the pilgrimage is organised with the blessing of His Holiness the Metropolitan of Sofia and Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil.

The pilgrimage will take place from August 1 to 6 and will cross the mountains of Vitosha, Verila and Rila. On the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a mass is held at the Monastery of the Dormition of the Mother of God.

And this year, on August 1, the march will begin in the capital's St. Sophia Temple with a Holy Mass and water service celebrated by Patriarch Daniil. For the first time, the First Hierarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church will also officiate at the water consecration at one of the Seven Rila Lakes - "Babreka" - on August 5, a traditional part of the pilgrimage programme.