The performance "St. John of Rila and Father Neofit Rilski – Pillars of Bulgarian Spirituality"

03/04/2026

The national commemorations marking the 1150th anniversary of the birth and the 1080th anniversary of the passing of St. John of Rila began with a grand performance titled "St. John of Rila and Father Neofit Rilski – Pillars of Bulgarian Spirituality," held at the Bulgarian Army Theatre.
The production, organized by the South-West University "Neofit Rilski" and created and directed by Silvia Terzieva, featured student groups and amateur ensembles that impressed the audience with their performances.
Members of the National Council of the Central Union of Producer Cooperatives (TPK) and staff attended the event as a gesture of respect for the life, spiritual legacy, and significant contribution of St. John of Rila to Bulgarian spirituality and identity, and in the spirit of the partnership between the two organizations.
A National Initiative Committee has been established to organize and oversee this series of events; its members include the Chairman of the National Council of the TPK, Assoc. Prof. Vladislav Lazarov, D.Sc. The initiatives are being carried out under the patronage of His Holiness Daniil, Patriarch of Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia.