Bulgarians commemorate heavenly patron Saint John of Rila

On October 19, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saint Ivan /John/ of Rila, the Wonderworker /876-946/. Ivan Rilski is the most famous Bulgarian saint and hermit, patron of the Bulgarian people, and founder of the largest monastery in Bulgaria – the Rila Monastery.

It is believed that the Bulgarian saint performed many miracles, both during his lifetime and after his death. For this reason, Bulgarian doctors have chosen the saint as their patron and October 19 is marked by the Bulgarian Medical Association.