Image of Saint John of Rilla and the Sustainable Tourist Effect of Pilgrimage
Paskal Piperkov, Liana Galabova
pp. 116 - 138
 
Title: Image of Saint John of Rilla and the Sustainable Tourist Effect of Pilgrimage
Authors: Paskal Piperkov, Liana Galabova

Abstract: Images of Saint John of Rilla are part of ten-year institutionalised tradition of pilgrimage to central sacred space in Bulgaria, the stavropegial monastery Dormition of Theotokos in Rilla mountain. Pilgrims follow the steps of medieval Bulgarians on the route of historical translation of the relics of the reverend saint from Veliko Tarnovo through Sofia to Rilla monastery in 1469.
Creating new religious and tourist practice, contemporary Eastern Orthodox guides and local authorities organise popular event richer than just an occasional restoration of previous emergent church procession. Walking through the country on the Sacred Rilla road every summer for more than a month, pilgrims bring, find, and exchange sacred images of Bulgarian patron saint that inspire people and communities, and bring cultural value and tourist sustainability to remote and quiet sacred places.

Keywords: Pilgrimage, Saint John of Rilla, Icons, Church Art, Sustainable Tourism

Received: 01-05-2019     Accepted: 31-05-2019     Published: 31-05-2019

Citation: Piperkov, P., Galabova, L. (2019). Image of Saint John of Rilla and the Sustainable Tourist Effect of Pilgrimage. Cultural and Historical Heritage: Preservation, Presentation, Digitalization (KIN Journal), 5(1), ISSN 2367-8038, Institute of Mathematics and Informatics – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 116–138. DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.26615/issn.2367-8038.2019_1_009