St. John the Wonderworker of Rila

Saint John of Rila was a very kind and holy man who lived a long time ago in Bulgaria. He was born around the year 876, in the village of Skrino (near the town of Doupnitsa) near what is now the capital city of Sofia. When he was still a boy, his parents died, so he had to take care of himself. He worked as a cowherd and spent a lot of time praying and trusting God. We honor his feast day on October 19. 

One day, when a cow and her calf were lost, the boy prayed for help. God listened, and something amazing happened: Saint John crossed a fast-moving river safely while carrying the calf, even though he had nothing but faith. The people who saw this knew God was with him.

Saint John didn’t want praise or riches. He gave away what he had and chose a quiet life close to God. St. John accepted the monastic tonsure at age 25.  He lived alone in the mountains, first in a small shelter, then in a cave, and later even in the hollow of a tree. He ate simple food like wild plants and beans, prayed every day, and trusted God to take care of him.

After 11 years, he moved to the Rila wilderness and lived in the hollow of a tree where he fasted and prayed constantly. A flock of sheep once ran astray in the wilderness near where St John lived. The shepherds followed their sheep to find them being fed by the hermit who invited the shepherds to feed on some beans. After the shepherds ate, one of them hid away beans to eat later. On the way home, he went to eat them, but there was not a single bean in the stolen pods. The repentant shepherds returned to the Elder who forgave them and said with a smile, “You see, children, God provided those beans only for sustenance in the wilderness.”

Later, people discovered him and saw how loving and peaceful he was. Shepherds and villagers came to him for help and prayers, and many felt better and comforted after meeting him. Saint John never wanted attention—when too many people came, he would move deeper into the mountains to stay humble and close to God.

Even the Tsar wanted to meet Saint John, but he politely said no. He believed that being humble was more important than being famous.

Eventually, other monks came to learn from him. With Saint John’s guidance, they built a monastery in the mountains, which is now called the Rila Monastery. Saint John taught the monks to live with kindness, prayer, and care for others.

Saint John of Rila died peacefully at age 70. After his death, people continued to feel helped by his prayers, and he became known as the protector saint of Bulgaria. His remains were carefully moved and honored over the years and are now kept at the Rila Monastery, where people still go to pray today.

Saint John’s life teaches us that we don’t need riches or fame to be good. We just need faith, kindness, and love for God and others.

 

Rila Monastery 

St. John the Wonderworks of Rila holy relics

Soon after his death the Tsar was visiting Sofia again and by his order the saint's relics were transferred

to that town. During a war in 1183, the Hungarian King Bela II conquered Sofia and sent the saint's relics to his capital of Estergom. Several years later, in 1194, the Bulgarian Tsar Assen ordered that the relics be moved to the capital city of Veliko Tarnovo. They miraculously survived the devastation of the city after its seizure by the Turks in 1393. By Sultan Murad II's permission, the relics were sent back to the Rila Monastery in 1469.

Tsar Ivan Asen II, Emperor of Bulgaria

St. John of Rila is the patron saint of the Bulgarian people, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and is especially revered as the heavenly protector of Bulgaria, its nation, and its diaspora, known as the first Bulgarian hermit and founder of the famous Rila Monastery. He's also a patron of those seeking spiritual guidance, the poor, and, through a unique legend, sometimes associated with pies and pie makers (banitsa) in Bulgaria. 

Sofia, Bulgaria

Banitsa

The sick and suffering in Bulgaria

To commemorate the feast of St. John of Rila, we can honor his simple life with a modest meal of 

bread, soup, beans, fruit, or vegetables. You can also help a neighbor in need, donate food or clothes, and be extra patient or forgiving that day. Don't forget to make a traditional Bulgarian meal with Banitsa! 

Traditional Banitsa 

Bob Chorba 

Tarator

Bob Yahniya

Shopska salad

Sirene po Shopsky

Lyutetnisa

Guvech

Read about St. John using these books. 

You can read an electronic account of the lift of Wonderworker St. John Here.

Troparion — Tone 1

Your life was a foundation of repentance / and a model of compunction, / an image of consolation and spiritual perfection, / equal to the angels, O venerable one. / You persevered in prayer, fasting and tears, O Father John; / intercede with Christ God for our souls.

Kontakion — Tone 8

Imitating the life of the angels and forsaking all earthly things, / you fled to Christ, O venerable one. / Protecting yourself with His commandments, / you were shown to be an unshakable pillar against the attacks of the enemy. / Therefore, we cry to you: “Rejoice, O Father John, most brilliant light!

Translation of the relics of Venerable John of Rila from Trnovo to Rila - Troparion & Kontakion

Commemorated on July 1

Troparion — Tone 8

By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, / and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / O our holy father John, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!