Podcast in English

Fasting as a personal sacrifice in the traditional practices of Bulgarians

Christmas is drawing closer, and with it – the end of the Advent fast. There are people, even those who do not adhere to the Christian faith, who believe that purification at a physical level – by abstaining from food of animal origin – leads..

published on 12/11/21 8:00 AM

Three saint days mark the start of the December festive season

A multitude of beliefs and rituals in Bulgarian folklore tradition, are connected with the day of St. Varvara, Barbara, 4 December, marking the start of a string of feast days. According to legend, St. Varvara was born in what are today..

published on 12/4/21 9:00 AM

Bulgarian beliefs and rituals related to Saint Catherine

On November 24, Orthodox Christians honour the Holy Martyr Catherine (Ekaterina). Catherine, who lived in the 3rd century in Alexandria, went down in history as one of the most educated women of her time. Legend has it that her attempts to..

published on 11/24/21 6:15 PM

Popular beliefs about hair, beards, moustaches

The first snow falls to earth from St. Dimitar’s beard, one legend goes. But there are others too – that it is St. Nicholas or Archangel Michael that shake the first snowflakes out of their beards. Alongside hair and nails, male beards..

published on 11/13/21 7:50 AM

110 years since the birth of composer Yosif Tsankov

The very first years in the history of the popular music genre in this country, the first national basketball teams (both male and female), the first gramophone records, made in Bulgaria are all connected with one name – Yosif Tsankov. He is also..

published on 11/7/21 8:00 AM

The St. Archangel Michael Monastery of Kokalyane, a holy place steeped in history and legend

The St. Archangel Michael Monastery of Kokalyane is a little corner of paradise, located in Mount Plana near the capital city Sofia. The cloister was probably built during the reign of Tsar Samuil at the end of the 10th century. According to..

published on 11/6/21 9:10 AM

All Saints Chapel in Lyulin Mountain - a great destination for a weekend stroll

The residents of the Bulgarian capital Sofia are quite privileged because the city is surrounded by mountains, thanks to which one can go to nature at any time and combine the fresh air and greenery with an exploration of Bulgaria’s rich cultural..

published on 10/30/21 8:05 AM

Basarbovo rock monastery – a veritable gem in the valley of Rusenski Lom

The Basarbovo rock monastery, named after St. Dimitar Basarbovski, is located among the cliffs of the river Rusenski Lom near the village of Basarbovo. It is now the only functioning monastery in Bulgaria, hewn out into rocks. It has survived..

published on 10/24/21 9:00 AM

Mandritsa – the only Albanian village in Bulgaria

Mandritsa, a village in the Eastern Rhodopes, is located on the right bank of the river Byala Reka, 19 kilometres to the South of Ivaylovgrad, and very close to the Bulgarian-Greek border. According to legend, the village was founded..

published on 10/23/21 9:10 AM

Bulgarian Orthodox Christians commemorate St. Petka

Venerable Praskeva of Epibates, also known as Saint Petka of Bulgaria, is held in high esteem by Orthodox Christians in this country. Her patron saint’s day falls on October 14, known in popular tradition as Petkovden. Venerable Paraskeva of..

published on 10/14/21 7:00 AM