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

Orthodox Christians celebrate feast day of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki

On October 26, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the feast day of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki. The martyr is sometimes called “protector of Balkans” and is widely revered by Greeks, Bulgarians, Serbs and Russians.

Born in the 3rd century in the city of Thessaloniki, after the death of his father Dimitar became mayor, accepted the Christian faith and taught the citizens of Thessaloniki not to worship idols, but to open their hearts to Christ. Roman emperor Maximian ordered him imprisoned. Even imprisoned, St. Dimitar continued to preach and was killed. After time, his relics we discovered by accident and they had healing power and radiated pleasant aroma.

"In the traditional folk calendar of the Bulgarians, Dimitrovden and Gergyovden /May 6/ frame the calendar and divide the year into two seasons: active and inactive," says Dr. Petko Hristov from the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore with Ethnographic Museum of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in an interview with Radio Bulgaria. "For Bulgarians and their year-round work Dimitrovden is a holiday of special importance. On St. George's Day in the spring the herds were brought high in the mountains and on Dimitrovden they were brought back to the villages. The holidays are popular not only among Christians, but are also marked by Muslims in Bulgaria. According to popular ideas, St. George and St. Demetrius are twin brothers. That is why there are many icons on which St. George is riding a white horse and St. Dimitar is riding a red horse next to him. We can see such images on numerous icons that people used for prayer at home.”

Compiled: Yoan Kolev
English: Alexander Markov

Photo: nessebarinfo.com



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

On Christmas Eve we look ahead with hope

Christmas Eve is one of those quiet family holidays, filled with hope for the future. At the border between the past and the present, Orthodox Bulgarians gather to welcome the days to come. Traditionally, the table on Christmas Eve is simple and..

published on 12/24/24 5:05 AM

Bulgaria marks 145 years since the first Christmas tree was decorated

The first modern Christmas was celebrated in Bulgaria in 1879. It followed a European model with a Christmas tree, ice skating and gifts. At that time, the young Alexander Battenberg, who had just become the Prince of Bulgaria, took it upon..

published on 12/23/24 3:11 PM

Orthodox Christians mark the Dormition of St. Naum of Ohrid

Today, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates St. Naum of Ohrid. Naum was a medieval Bulgarian scholar and writer. He was born around 830 and died on December 23, 910. He was of noble origin but he left everything and followed the Slavic..

published on 12/23/24 6:10 AM