The faithful from all over the country took part in a procession with a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary

Hundreds of believers from all over the country gathered at the Bachkovo Monastery to take part in the traditional liturgical procession with the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. The procession began at 8am, accompanied by the ringing of bells and led by Bishop Sioniy, the Abbot of the Holy Monastery.

The pilgrims walk six kilometres from the monastery to the area of Klouviata, where the icon was found. Many people who have experienced miracles come back time and again.

According to tradition, in 1604 shepherds discovered the icon in the area of Klouviata and brought it to the Holy Monastery. But on the second day of Easter, the icon miraculously disappeared and was found again in Klouviata - a sign that it was meant to stay there.

To prevent it from "escaping", people began to hold liturgical processions with the image of the Mother of God, and prosperity returned to the region.