Birth: November 16, 1900 – Belene, Bulgaria
Death: November 11, 1952 – executed in Sofia, Bulgaria
Beatified: March 15, 1998 by Pope John Paul II
Feast Day: November 13
Patronage: Religious freedom and persecuted Christians
Blessed Eugene Bossilkov was born in Bulgaria and entered the Passionist Congregation at age 14. He was ordained a priest in 1926 and later became bishop of Nicopolis. As bishop, he worked to build up the Church in communist-controlled Bulgaria, promoting faith, education and unity among Catholics.
Despite growing persecution under the communist regime, he refused to abandon his people or compromise his faith. In 1952, he was arrested, falsely accused of conspiracy and executed after a secret trial. He is remembered as a courageous witness to Christ who gave his life for the Church and for truth.