On November 8, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church reveres the memory of the Holy Angels and in particular of St. Michael, the Archangel, leader of the Heavenly Armies against the spirits of evil and darkness. In Bulgarian church and popular calendars, the Day of St. Michael, the Archangel, is the second biggest autumnal holiday, after the Day of St. Dimitar (Dimitrius), October 26.

Every person has their guardian angel that prays to God for them, protects them from evil, advises them on good acts, brings home good thoughts, and grieves for them when they transgress and forget God’s commandments. There used to be seven angels standing at God’s Heavenly Throne. One of them, called Dennitza, became so conceited that God expelled him and in his downfall, Dennitza carried many other spirits with him. Hence, the world was divided in two: good and evil. St. Michael, the Archangel took the lead of the army of angels who remained loyal to the forces of good. That is why Christians revere him so much. He is the symbol of good, justice and light. He carries within him the power that ennobles spirits, and that is why his icon representations depict him as holding a spear in his hand, while stamping on the devil with his feet. St. Michael the Archangel is the patron saint of the dead, and on his day Holy Liturgy is read and water sprinkled everywhere for health. The Saturday, preceding St. Michael’s Day, is a big occasion to pay tribute to the dead, and is best known as All Souls Day. It is considered the last meeting of the souls of the dead before winter falls, as those souls are believed to spend the long winter months away from the Earth. The rituals of laying a common table and the church service both aim at asking mercy from the Saint to send easy death unto worshippers. In their prayers, Christians are simply seeking protection using the words, “Saint Angel, thou that God hath given me, delivers me from evil, and save me from grief!”

Popular belief has it that when a dying person smiles, St. Michael the Archangel holds out a golden apple to them. If one dies in convulsions, then they are to face a bitter cup. Ordinary people used to believe St. Michael was just and compassionate. There is a Bulgarian folk tale about St. Michael asking God for the life of a pauper, so as not to orphan his offspring. On some iconographic depictions he is holding a balance in his hands, weighing people’s sins. In his honour, worshippers boil mutton as offering in the hope of good health and heavenly protection, or bake special ritual bread, handed out to family and kin to remember the dead. By paying tribute to the dead, the living ask actually for the spirits’ assistance in earthly matters. Many villages across Bulgaria mark the Day of St. Michael, the Archangel by inviting everyone at a single table. It is also the name day for all those who bear the Christian names Anghel, Mihail, Ranghel, Rayna, Radka, Milka, etc.