Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria honour Thursday the famous hermit St Ivan Rilski, known as the Miracle Worker and also celebrated as the patron of Bulgaria.
St Ivan Rilski founded the Rila Monastery some 1,000 years ago. The saint's relics are kept there to this day, and are still believed to have the power to bring miracle cures for illnesses.
Hundreds of pilgrims are expected to gather in Bulgaria's biggest cloister, the Rila Monastery, to mark the St Ivan Rilski's Day. The people queue to touch the relics of the saint who founded the monastery more than ten centuries ago.
St Ivan Rilski died in 946 AD in the seclusion of the monastery, and was canonized right after his death. St Ivan Rilski remembered for his miracles is one of Bulgaria's most influential spiritual leaders.