Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Orthodox Christians honor the memory of deceased relatives

Photo: BTA

On Saturday before Mesni Zagovezni or Meat Shrovetide Orthodox Bulgarians commemorate the dead. It is one of the three All Souls' Day that Orthodox Christians mark each year.

The very name "Zadushnitsa" means a day for commemorating the souls of the departed and it is always on a Saturday designated by the church to honor the dead.

After the commemoration, relatives of the deceased make gifts with the words: "May God forgive." The bell tolls mournfully, with a measured stroke. On the day before, the relatives of the deceased visit the grave, clean it, then pour wine over it and burn incense. The next day, during the liturgy, the Gospel reading recalls the picture of the Last Judgment.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Archaeologists unearth another Roman statue in Heraclea Sintica

Bulgarian archaeologists have discovered a second statue in the large sewage channel of the ancient city of Heraclea Sintica. Around 11 a.m. on September 20, the team led by Professor Dr. Lyudmil Vagalinski came across another marble sculpture near..

published on 9/20/24 12:07 PM

The Feast of the Cross is celebrated on September 14

The Orthodox Church celebrates the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The holiday celebrates the miraculous finding of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. It is one of the 12 major Christian holidays of the year.  When the cross..

published on 9/14/24 10:20 AM

The spirit of old Sofia returns to the heart of the capital with the KvARTal festival

Once upon a time, there was a remarkable neighbourhood where the construction of Old Sofia first took shape. Situated between the Royal Palace and the railway station, it was the main artery of the city - a hub of activity. This area was not only a place..

published on 9/12/24 7:55 AM