178 children from across Bulgaria and one from Austria are taking part in the eighth international school contest for drawings and literary works about St John of Rila, the organisers in Burgas said.

Tomorrow, Friday 30 October, 30 entrants in two age groups will receive prizes at 5pm at the Holy Mother of God church in Burgas.

This year's theme is "St John of Rila – protector of the Bulgarian people". The contest marks 1,150 years since the saint's birth and 1,080 years since his death.

Burgas council, the Centre for Support of Personal Development in Burgas and the Sunday school at the St Pimen of Zograf church in the Kraymorie district are behind it.

Father Steliyan Kunev, the church's head priest, said the contest began in the Kraymorie parish almost 10 years ago. He called it a modest way to support the mission of the church and the Sunday school.

Father Kunev said the aim is for children to "wake up" and learn more about the National Revival figures and the most prominent people who lived among the Bulgarian people. "Despite the many hardships in which our enlighteners lived, they managed to do what God bequeathed to them," he told Bulgarian National Radio.

The priest believes the church exists for people and their salvation. If it does not spread the Word of God and the gospel, he said, it loses its meaning and strength.

He wants children to be caring and kind and to live by their faith in Jesus Christ, and he hopes those who have not heard of Him will take an interest.

The contest is held ahead of 1 November, the Day of the National Revival Figures, and 3 November, when the church honours St Pimen of Zograf and the Kraymorie church holds its patron saint's feast.

Pupils from the Centre for Support of Personal Development in Burgas won first and third place at the international painting and graphic art contest "In My Homeland" in Minsk, we reported on 28 October. Both study at the centre's fine art school.

Father Kunev said the initiative could grow further: "it has a chance to develop even more, so that children can get something that is authentic, true, something that comes from God."