This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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History of Religions
History of the 3 Monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) and of the main different Christianity confessions (Roman Catholicism, Eastern Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, Anglicanism and Protestantism)
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Pedagogical Approaches
New pedagogical approaches to teach history of religion
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Role of Religions in Civilization
How to didactically promote among students of different confessions, the capacity of a critical analysis and understanding of the role played by religions in the history of mankind
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Interreligious Students’ Competences
Set of teaching contents, to be used by teachers to highlight and valorize the universal values of tolerance and universalisms that all Monotheistic religions and religious texts contain to promote and sustain mutual understanding among students
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Managing Multi-Religious Classes
Teaching Sources to help teachers dealing with multicultural and multi-religious classes
Map
An interactive didactical map interactive didactical map giving access to sites with a religious relevance.-
Introduction
A comparative review of the liturgical celebrations, ceremonies and dietary rules existing in the different religions.
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Celebrations
Description and comparative analysis of the celebrations of different religions and confessions
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Ceremonies
Description and comparative analysis of the ceremonies of different religions and confessions
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Dietary Rules
Description and comparative analysis of the dietary rules of different religions and confessions
Events
The Pathway through Religions project has been promoted trough conferences and articles.
Conferences
The Pathway through Religions project was presented in a number of events in order to report about the activities carried out and the results achieved
Press Review
The Pathway through Religions project partnership made contacts with web sites focusing on the fields of educationPartnership
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Contractual Partners
From this section it is possible to access to a description of each contractual partner of the Pathway through Religions project.
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Schools
From this section it is possible to access to the information about the schools involved in the Pathway through Religions Project in the European countries involved.
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Associated Partners
As a result of the exploitation activity a number of associated partners officially joined the project in order to contribute to the improvement of the project impact on their target groups and to ensure the project sustainability by continuing using the project deliverables in the next years.
This section of the Pathway through Religions portal provides administrative information for the project contractual partners and for the European Commission and it is password protected.
Map
Homepage > ReligiousSite Map > Map
An interactive didactical map interactive didactical map giving access to sites with a religious relevance.
Back to the Religious Sites List
Saint Ivan Rilski Cave
Rila monastery area, Kyustendil, Bulgaria
RELIGIONS Orthodox, New age
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELIGIOUS SITE
DESCRIPTION
The cave in which St. Ivan Rilski spent the last years of his life is located about 4 km away from the Rila Monastery. Take the road past the monastery. After 3 km, just before a sharp U-turn, you’ll see a large wooden icon on the left side of the road. Take the path through the woods that starts there. It is about a 20 minute hike to the cave. The terrain is rocky so make sure you have good shoes on. Soon you will reach a small chapel. The cave is right behind it. Inside, there is a wooden stair leading to a higher exit through a tiny rock chimney.
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE
St. Ivan Rilski (St. John of Rila the Miracle Worker) is the most revered Bulgarian hermit saint, heavenly protector and patron of the Bulgarian people. He lived in the 9th and 10th century CE. St. Ivan Rilski was known to have performed many miracles to help the people. This brought him undesired fame. He chose the life of a hermit in order to stay closer to God. He spent the last seven years of his life in seclusion in this cave.
INTER-RELIGIOUS RELEVANCE
It is said that a strong divine presence can be felt inside the cave. Many worshipers write down their pleas and embed them in the prayer stone that is blessed by the saint. Outside the cave there is a healing spring that never runs dry. The site is visited by people of different confessions who seek healing and purification.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
The cave of St. Ivan Rilski is a famous site of worship and pilgrimage. There is a notorious ordeal that many of the pilgrims undertake. It is believed that only the righteous can pass through the narrow rock chimney exit of the cave.
HOW TO USE WITH THE STUDENTS
- Direct visit
- Discussion: What was the most interesting or surprising thing learned?
- Discussion: What was the most interesting or surprising thing learned?
CONNECTION WITH OTHER RELIGIOUS SITES
Rila Monastery - Rila municipality 2643, District Kyustendil
REFERENCE TO THE GUIDELINE
- Multidisciplinary Pedagogical Approaches to Teach History of Religions - Teaching Religion through the Personal Experiences of Prophets and Saints
LINKS
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Cave of Ivan Rilski
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Cave_of_Ivan_Rilski
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Saint John of Rila
The life and the testament of St. John of Rila. Includes representations of relics, icons and frescos of the saint.
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Searching for St. Ivan’s Chapel
A wayfarer's account.
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The cave of St. Ivan Rilski: a sacred place
Two sisters describe their trip to one of the most sacred places in Bulgaria – the cave of St. Ivan Rilski.
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Пещерата на Свети Иван Рилски
Пътепис на Боряна Кръстева.
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Пустиножителят
Хиляди писма ви посрещат пред пещерата, някога дом на Иван Рилски – най-почитания български светец
