Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates Saint John of Rila (876 – c. 946) on October 19 and solemn religious services will be held in all of its eparchies.

Saint John of Rila was the first Bulgarian hermit and was revered as a saint while still alive.

He is considered among the most important saints in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the patron saint of the Bulgarian people.

A solemn religious service will be held in Rila Monastery, which the saint is believed to be the founder of.

His Holiness Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan Bishop of Sofia Neophyte is expected to pay Monday a visit to the town of Dupnitsa, district of Kyustendil.