Filmed during Charles Rider Noble's visit to Bulgaria in 1903. When they visited the Monastery in Rylo, they filmed a few films there including this and "Refugees at Rylo Monastery". The feast was for St. John of Rila, who was the first Bulgarian hermit and was revered as a saint while he was still alive. He lived from 876 to about 946. He is the patron saint of the Bulgarians and one of the most important saints in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Rilo Monastery was founded 400 years ago, but on various occasions was destroyed by fire. The present building was erected some 40 years ago, and its reconstruction is celebrated each year, after service in the Church, by a procession of monks, joined by Bulgarian and Macedonian peasants, who perform a pilgrimage to Rilo to be present on this occasion. The band consists of a young man beating a piece of wood and another with a bell. Excellent photographic quality.

Source: Urban Eclipse Catalog - February 1905