site.btaPilgrims on the Miracle Worker of Rila Trail Reach the Rila Monastery

Participants in the“The Miracle Worker of Rila” pilgrimage trail reached their final destination, the Rila Monastery, where they venerated the relics of St. John of Rila, the patron saint of the Bulgarian people. The pilgrims entered the monastery with chants and prayers, and following today’s Divine Liturgy, they proceeded to the saint’s shrine.

The pilgrimage, which began on August 1 in Sofia, is part of a broader network of spiritual routes known as “A Journey of Faith.” It brings together Orthodox Christians who walk in prayer, following the symbolic path of the saint’s relics.

Another major pilgrimage route is the “The Sacred Way”, which retraces the historic transfer of St. John of Rila’s relics from Veliko Tarnovo through Sofia to the Rila Monastery. This event was documented by eyewitness Vladislav the Grammarian, as explained to BTA by Pascal Piperkov, one of the pilgrimage leaders.

His group began their journey in Veliko Tarnovo, covering around 700 kilometers, passing through 70 towns and visiting 100 sacred sites.

“We faced many trials and overcame them,” shared Piperkov. “There were both positive and difficult moments, heatwaves, risk of heat stroke, we crossed asphalt and dirt roads, thorny paths, rivers, steep climbs and descents.”

Since 2019, Piperkov and his team have been organizing the route entirely on foot, establishing a lasting tradition.

He first joined the Miracle Worker of Rila pilgrimage in 2014, and was inspired to recreate the original route from Veliko Tarnovo.

“God and the saint draw people to themselves,” he said of the growing number of pilgrims joining the journey.

Elitsa Stamenova, who has completed the entire pilgrimage for the seventh year, shared her reflections on this year’s journey: “This year it was much hotter, and for me, that was the biggest challenge.”

She described the warm welcome pilgrims received in various places.

“In Cherven Breg, municipality of Dupnitsa, the whole village came out to greet us. Children in traditional costumes welcomed us with bread, salt, and honey. It was incredibly moving.”

This year, the pilgrimage also saw many new participants, including the youngest pilgrim  six-year-old Hristo, “a child prayed for and born through the intervention of St. John of Rila, who walked with us for several days,” she added.

Plamen Miryanov, founder of the“Our Home is Bulgaria” Foundation, also joined the pilgrimage, starting from Sofia and walking from the Seven Rila Lakes to the Rila Monastery.

“I was present at the prayer service led by Patriarch Daniil near Lake Babreka in Rila,” he recounted.

His group experienced a powerful storm in the mountains during the journey:

“There were thunderstorms on both sides, and it was an incredible spiritual experience, to hear God’s voice over the mountain and feel his grace and mercy,” said Miryanov.

These testimonies highlight not only the physical endurance but also the spiritual depth of the pilgrimage — a journey of faith, community, and resilience, inspired by St. John of Rila, Bulgaria’s national protector.

“Just hours later, the sun shone, and we continued forward,” shared Plamen Miryanov, reflecting on the moment after a storm during the pilgrimage. “This journey teaches humility, instills virtues in the soul, and leads people toward prayer, repentance, and confession,” he added.

Other participants echoed his sentiments, saying that despite carrying heavy backpacks, they felt a lightness and spiritual strength throughout the pilgrimage.

Today, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus, and a liturgy was held at the Rila Monastery, led by Bishop Evlogiy of Adrianople, hegumen of the Rila monastery, together with Bishop John of Branitsa and fellow clergy.

“I believe that each of you has experienced, in your own way and through a challenging journey, a true spiritual joy that brought you here,” said Bishop Evlogiy in his address to the pilgrims. “That joy gave you the strength to venerate the holy relics of our heavenly protector, and to pray for his blessing, hope, and faith, for whatever your heart needs.”

The pilgrimage, which concluded on one of the most significant days in the Orthodox calendar, has become not only a physical journey across Bulgaria, but also a transformative spiritual path, drawing believers closer to faith, tradition, and each other.