A Historic Event in Sozopol

On June 23, Sozopol will launch a new cultural and tourist site – the pilgrimage route "Path to the Relics of St. John the Baptist". The official opening will be marked by a ceremony at the "Apollonia" Summer Theater, with the Metropolitan of Sliven, Arseniy, as a special guest.

"This is a landmark event that connects Bulgaria's spiritual heritage with the European network of pilgrimage routes."

The culmination of the celebrations is on June 24, when the Orthodox Church marks the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The program includes:

  • Procession: Starting from the "Sts. Cyril and Methodius" Church to the port.
  • Holy Liturgy: Archieratic service led by Metropolitan Arseniy among the ruins of the medieval monastery on St. Ivan Island.
  • Free transport: The Municipality of Sozopol is providing boats and vessels for believers to the island.

The Bulgarian "Camino"

The new route is being integrated into the global European network and establishes direct cooperation with the legendary Camino de Santiago in Spain. Experts from Spain, Belgium, and Denmark are already inspecting the infrastructure, emphasizing the significance of the Bulgarian footprint in global pilgrimage tourism.