Venerable John of Rila, wonderworker and patron of the Bulgarian people.
John was born in the village of Skrino near Sofia in the ninth century and became a monk while young. He lived for years in a hollow tree and then in a cave in the Rila mountains, in fasting and prayer, until disciples gathered and the great Rila monastery was founded.
He reposed in 946; this day commemorates the translation of his relics from Sredets to Trnovo in 1238.
Feast day
On the New Calendar, John of Rila is commemorated on October 19. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on November 1 of the civil calendar.
Also commemorated on October 19
Cleopatra the Righteous
Holy Woman, Κλεοπάτρα
Blessed Cleopatra of Palestine, who honored the relics of the Martyr Varus.
Varus and the Six Monk-Martyrs
Martyr, Ούαρος
Holy Martyr Varus and the six monk-martyrs of Egypt who suffered with him.
Sadoth of Persia
Hierarch, Σαδώθ
Holy Hieromartyr Sadoth, Bishop of Persia, and the one hundred and twenty-eight martyrs with him.
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