Venerable John of Rila

Also known as Ivan of Rila · John, Abbot of Rila

The great ascetic of Bulgaria who withdrew to the Rila wilderness and became the spiritual father of Rila monasticism and patron of the Bulgarian people.

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Notes

Principal repose Aug 18; also commemorated Jul 1 and Oct 19 (translations of relics). Oct 19 = translation of his relics to Trnovo (1238).

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints