Pilgrimage Route

A pilgrimage route from St Sophia Church to Rila Monastery – August 01 (the date is fixed)

Since 2010 the Rila Miracle Maker pilgrimage has taken place in the period August 01-06. The event is organized on the initiative of the Faculty of Theology at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, with the blessing of the Holy Metropolis of Sofia and with the cooperation of Sofia Tourism Administration. The pilgrimage route starts from St Sophia Church and finishes at Rila Monastery.

The pilgrims follow the route that the carriers of the relics of Saint John of Rila walked in 1469. With the help of prayers and worship services the pilgrims cross three mountains – Vitosha, Verila and Rila, stopping in two villages on their way – the village of Yarlovo and the village of Klisura. There they are welcomed by the locals and are housed in the temples. On the 6th day, the laymen arrive at Rila Monastery and worship the relics of St. John of Rila.

А pilgrimage route from St St Kirik and Yulita Church in Bankya to the Divotino Monastery of the Holy Trinity (on Pentecost Monday) – the date is not fixed.

With the blessing of the Holy Synod, Sofia Tourism Administration - Sofia Municipality and the Faculty of Theology at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski organize a pilgrimage route from St St Kirik and Yulita Church in the town of Bankya to the Divotino Monastery of the Holy Trinity. The pilgrimage takes place every year on the patronal feast of the monastery.

The length of the pilgrimage route is approximately 8.00 km. and it takes about 2 hours to reach the monastery. It encompasses mostly eco paths located around the town of Bankya. When the pilgrims arrive at the monastery they attend a Holy Mass in the monastery and a blessing of water in the temple of the monastery.

The point of the Christian pilgrimage is rooted in the biblical messages. The history of the pilgrimage can be sought back in history but its nature has always been an expression of the willingness and desire to seek the truth, to meet God.

Today pilgrimages attract more and more young Christians who believe in Christian traditions. The pilgrimages are considered to be a peculiar test of the spirit as they can be seen as a personal spiritual experience as well as a moral communication with the others.

The pilgrimages to holy places in Sofia Holy Mount are important events for the residents of Sofia and they are successfully presented and popularized by the information centers of Sofia Tourism Administration.

A pilgrimage route - from St Petka Church in Kremikovtsi quarter to the Kremikovtsi Monastery of Saint George – October 1

Every year on October 1 The Holy Protection of the Mother of God Pilgrimage takes place from Kremikovtsi quarter to the Kremikovtsi Monastery of Saint George. It is organized by Sofia Tourism Administration - Sofia Municipality in cooperation with the Faculty of Theology at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski and with the blessing of the Holy Metropolis of Sofia.

The pilgrimage follows a specific program - it starts with a prayer in St Petka Church in Kremikovtsi quarter and finishes after a Holy Mass and а blessing of water in the Kremikovtsi Monastery of Saint George.

A pilgrimage route from the church of Sts Constantine and Helena in the village of Lozen to the Lozen Monastery of St. Spas (on Ascension Day), the date is not fixed.

With the blessing of the Holy Metropolis of Sofia, Sofia Tourism Administration - Sofia Municipality and the Faculty of Theology at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski have organized the Ascension of Jesus Pilgrimage since 2010. Every year on the patronal feast of the monastery the pilgrimage starts from Saint George Church in the village of Dolni Lozen.

The pilgrims walk to the Monastery of St. Spas where they attend a Holy Mass and learn more about the history of the monastery.

Distance: 4,5 km; Duration: 1 hour.

Drive to the village of Dolni Lozen: by bus № 5. You can take the bus from Tsarigradsko shosse metro station.