Pupils from Sliven, Yambol and other towns won prizes in the international drawing and writing contest "St John of Rila – Protector of the Bulgarian People". The awards ceremony was held at the Holy Mother of God church in Burgas, with the blessing of Sliven Metropolitan Arsenii.

In late October, organisers said 178 children from across Bulgaria and one from Austria were taking part in the eighth edition. The prizes were handed out on Friday, 30 October.

How it all started: Pupils from across Bulgaria and Austria enter St John of Rila contest in Burgas

Pupils, teachers, clergy, parents and guests attended the ceremony.

Archimandrite Stefan, the diocese's spiritual supervisor, greeted the participants on behalf of Metropolitan Arsenii. He stressed the importance of spiritual education and of keeping Christian virtues alive in young people.

Diana Savateva, deputy mayor of Burgas for culture and religious affairs, greeted the children on behalf of mayor Dimitar Nikolov. She thanked them for their creative work and their interest in Bulgaria's spiritual and cultural heritage. She also thanked the teachers and families who support them.

Kichka Stefanova, acting director of the Centre for Support of Personal Development in Burgas, also thanked the participants and their mentors. She praised their effort, inspiration and active involvement.

Father Steliyan Kunev, head of the St Pimen of Zograf church in Burgas's Kraymorie district, and the official guests handed out the prizes. Father Kunev urged the children to develop their talents, seek good and follow worthy spiritual examples. Other guests included Ivan Mlechkov, secretary of the Sliven Holy Metropolis, and priests from the church.

The works dealt with humility, mercy, love for God and one's neighbour, kindness and the power of faith, as well as the life and deeds of St John of Rila the Wonderworker. Host Atanasia Petrova read extracts from the winning written works, which showed the children's attitude to faith, humanity and the saint's moral messages.

The contest aims to spark interest in Orthodox spirituality, Bulgarian history and Christian values. The pupils express their feelings in drawings and words.

The contest marks 1,150 years since the saint's birth and 1,080 years since his death.