Church of the Dormition of St. John of Rila: A Hidden Spiritual Jewel in the Rhodopes

#summervacay **Why This Summer Pilgrimage?** Tucked away in **Borovets’ pine forests**, this 19th-century wooden church holds the **miraculous relics of St. John of Rila**—Bulgaria’s patron saint—and becomes a haven when mountain breezes carry the scent of sun-warmed pine resin through its carved iconostasis. --- ### **🌲 Your Perfect Summer Visit** #### **Dawn Devotion (6:00 AM)** - **Morning Liturgy:** Experience **ancient chants** in the glow of oil lamps (services daily at 6:30 AM) - **Relic Veneration:** The **scent of myrrh** often lingers near St. John’s silver reliquary #### **Mountain Mysteries** - **9:00 AM - Healing Spring:** Fill your bottle at the **ice-cold holy well** behind the church - **10:30 AM - Forest Walk:** Follow the **"Monk’s Path"** to a viewpoint over Rila Valley #### **Local Flavors** - **12:00 PM - Monastic Lunch:** **Bob chorba** (bean soup) at *Zdravets* tavern (10 BGN) --- ### **💰 Budget Breakdown** - **Transport:** 5 BGN bus from Borovets - **Donation:** 2 BGN for candles - **Souvenir:** **Hand-painted icon card** (5 BGN) --- ### **⚠️ Pilgrim Tips** - **Dress Code:** **Covered shoulders/knees** (shawls available) - **Footwear:** The **wooden floor** is uneven—wear grip shoes - **Silence:** Photography forbidden during services **Why It’s Unique?** ✅ **Few foreign visitors**—authentic local devotion ✅ **17th-century icons** glowing in candlelight ✅ **Cool forest embrace** even at midday **Tag your peace #rilasanctuary!** 🕯️🌿 *(Afternoon Idea: **Borovets’ chairlift** to panoramic mountain views!)*