The Seven Rila Lakes became the epicenter of a remarkable spiritual event that united two different religious communities in the first weekend of August 2025. The sacred space of Rila Mountain served as a symbolic center for expressing deep national spiritual traditions.
Orthodox Patriarch Daniel conducted a solemn water blessing at the Kidney Lake, uniting hundreds of believers in prayer unity. The event transcended an ordinary religious ritual, transforming into an act of national spiritual revival and reverence for Saint Ivan of Rila – the heavenly protector of Bulgaria.
Parallel to the Christian ceremony, the followers of the White Brotherhood organized their traditional paneurhythmy ritual. Dressed entirely in white, participants formed impressive circles, greeting the sunrise through specific dance movements and meditative practices inspired by Petar Deunov's teachings.
The two spiritual communities demonstrated different, but equally profound approaches to faith and self-knowledge. While Orthodox Christians focused their energy on traditional prayer practices, the White Brotherhood adherents concentrated on harmonizing with natural and cosmic energy.
The presence of both groups in one place created a delicate atmosphere of mutual respect and potential tensions. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church emphasized the importance of sacred places being open to all believers, firmly opposing any attempts to monopolize spiritual space.
Representatives of the White Brotherhood, for their part, stated that their sole goal was spiritual growth and harmony, demonstrating readiness for dialogue and respect for different traditions.
This unique spiritual encounter near the Seven Rila Lakes revealed the multilayered nature of Bulgarian spirituality – a space where different beliefs can exist parallel to each other, united by a common national identity and deep respect for spiritual quests.