Patriarch Daniil held a water consecration at the Kidney Lake in Rila. His Holiness climbed on foot to 2,282 meters above sea level, by the third highest lake of the circus. The water consecration takes place for the first time.
This was announced by the BNR.
The water consecration is part of the "Rila Miracle Worker" pilgrimage, which began in Sofia on August 1st in the capital's ancient "Sveta Sofia" temple, and ends tomorrow, on Transfiguration, with a service in the temple of the Rila Monastery. Clergymen, bishops, priests, laity, Orthodox Christians participate, who go with prayer and chants along the path of the relics of St. John of Rila, transported from Tarnovgrad through Sofia to the Rila Holy Monastery in 1469.
In the early afternoon, the pilgrims crossed the Rila ridge and began their descent to the Rila monastery. The hike lasts 8-9 hours, mountaineers said. It is expected that at 7:30 p.m. the pilgrimage will reach its final destination and its participants will bow before the relics of St. John of Rila.
After the water ceremony, His Holiness said about BNR:
"Up to this point, the pilgrimage is going very well. People are happy, hopeful and continue the march with great desire. We came to Panichishte and went up to Lake Babreka, where traditionally a vodosvet is held. We served Vodosvet. Today is the last day. We prayed to God to safely reach the Rila monastery for tomorrow's "Transfiguration of the Lord".