Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel marks 1,080th Anniversary of the Dormition of St. John of Rila (PHOTOS)

The 1,080th anniversary of the Dormition of St. John of Rila the Wonderworker was solemnly celebrated at the Rila Monastery, with Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel presiding over the Divine Liturgy and highlighting the saint’s enduring role as a source of unity, hope and spiritual strength for the Bulgarian people.

The celebrations began on August 18 with an All-Night Vigil, preceded by the reception of the wonderworking Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. The icon was placed in the center of the monastery’s main church for the veneration of the numerous pilgrims.

The vigil was presided over by Metropolitan Nathanael of Gjirokastër, together with the brotherhood of Rila Monastery and clergy from various dioceses. Patriarch Daniel, Metropolitan Gregory of Veliko Tarnovo, Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop and other hierarchs also attended prayerfully.

On the feast day, Patriarch Daniel presided over the Divine Liturgy, concelebrated by Metropolitan Nathanael, Metropolitan Gregory, Metropolitan Seraphim and other hierarchs and clergy.

In his homily, the Bulgarian Patriarch emphasized that 1,080 years after St. John’s passing from earthly to eternal life, the saint remains a…