Rila Monastery prepares for the feast of St John of Rila on 19 October 2026

On 19 October 2026, Rila Monastery will celebrate the feast of its heavenly patron, St John of Rila the Wonderworker.

The Sofia Metropolis programme, published on 6 October, schedules a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at Rila Monastery’s Church of the Nativity of the Virgin for Monday, 19 October, at 09:00 local time.

Known as Otchovden, or the Day of the Father, the feast honours the monastery’s founder and commemorates the transfer of his relics to Sredets, present-day Sofia.

Information for visitors

The monastery is an active place of worship. Wear appropriate clothing, keep quiet and follow the instructions on site. Photography is prohibited inside the church and monastery museum. Check official announcements before travelling in case of changes.

Visit Rila Monastery with Global Tour

Explore our Rila Monastery itineraries or request a private trip on your preferred date. Our team will confirm availability and prepare a proposal for your group. The feast date does not automatically represent a scheduled Global Tour departure.

Sources: Sofia Metropolis — https://mitropolia-sofia.org/novini/predstoyashti-subitya/ ; Rila Monastery — https://rilskimanastir.org/bg/novini/

Global Tour trips: https://www.globaltour-bg.com/?lang=en#journeys