On this day in 946, the most famous Bulgarian saint, the hermit Saint John (Ivan) of Rila, retired from his fasting and prayerful exploits.
As with most saints, the venerable Rila miracle worker is honored on the day of his death. But his memory is celebrated already on October 19, when his relics were transferred to Sredets (Sofia), and on July 1, when they were returned to his abode in Rila mountain after centuries.
He was born in the village of Skrino in the Osogovo Mountains, not far from the town of Boboshevo, in the second half of the 9th century, when Christianity was taking root among the Bulgarian people.
His youth coincided with the time of St. Kliment Ohridski’s activity in the south-western Bulgarian lands. John loved God from a young age and His holy commandments, of which the most important are: “Love God with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your strength, love your neighbor as yourself!”.
This love pushed him to do good to everyone, but also to improve himself spiritually. He spent almost his entire life in seclusion, fasting and incessant prayer in various places, the longest in Rila mountain. And in his quest to save his own soul, he helped save many of his contemporaries as well as countless others throughout the centuries to this day. His example is followed by believers who strive for spiritual perfection. And the saint, with his intercession before God, helps everyone.
Monk John tried to prepare his direct followers for a saving spiritual feat in a monastery founded by him. He left them a written testament with valuable advice. He thus calmly surrendered his soul to God today.
He was buried in the mountain next to the place of his solitude. Years later, his body was found incorruptible and placed in a coffin in the monastery church, where it is still kept today.
Source: BTA, Prof. Ivan Zhelev
2023-08-18 04:30:40
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