On August 2, Bulgarians homage to Prophet St. Elijah according to the old style calendar. The day is marked on July 20 according to the new style. Prophet Elijah was one of the greatest Old Testament figures, an ardent opponent of paganism and a herald of the true faith in God.
Many Christian churches especially in Southwestern Bulgaria are named after him. The faithful honor the saint who is the patron of thunder and lightning and protector of the harvest from fires.
St. Elijah’s Day or popularly known as Ilinden in Bulgarian is the best-loved summertime feast day in the long and sultry days of harvesting.
St. Elijah’s day is a day celebrated by all people named Iliya, Ilian, Iliana and their derivatives – Ilka, Lina, Licho etc.
On 10 May we mark 72 years since the restoration of the Bulgarian Patriarchate, whose existence ended at the end of the 14th century when Bulgaria fell under five centuries of Ottoman rule. Efforts to restore it began in the Renaissance. In 1870 the..
In popular belief, St George is the younger twin brother of St Demetrius . Ethnographers describe them as Christianised images of mythical heroes - strong, agile and swift. They are victorious, leaping over mountains and seas, releasing the waters,..
"You must have strong faith and pray - then the saint will help you and carry your prayer to God," says Father Georgi Markov of the Church of St. Athanasius the Great in Gorni Lozen near Sofia. He adds that he has often witnessed the miracles of St..
Though known mostly as one of the closest associates of Vasil Levski and a dedicated fighter for national liberation, there was actually much more to..
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