Each year on August 15 thousands of people flock to the churches and monasteries bearing the name of the Holy Mother of God to revere her memory. Some of the worshippers even stay the night there on the holiday’s eve.Bulgarian popular belief reveres the Mother of God as the patron of motherhood, womanhood and family life. Each year in the middle of August the miraculous icon of the Virgin Troyeruchitsa (of the Three Hands) attracts hundreds of pilgrims to Troyan monastery located in the Balkan Mountain range. After the Holy Liturgy a solemn procession starts from the monastery carrying the miracle working icon to the Mogilata locality, where it had been first brought by wandering monks. A holy water service is held there and people who attend the ceremony have the opportunity to bow to the icon of the Holy Mother of God. The famous icon of the Virgin Troyeruchitsa (of the Three Hands) is considered a guardian of the Bulgarian nation and the Assumption of Mary is the holiday of the patron saint of Troyan monastery in Northern Bulgaria.

Tradition has it that large-scale celebrations of the Mother of God are also held at Bachkovo Monastery in Southern Bulgaria, and Rila Monastery in Southwestern Bulgaria.This is the holiday also of the Bulgarian coastal capital of Varna, and many villages across the country stage their rural fairs on that particular day. Priests sanctify boiled mutton soup for health and well-being. The Assumption of Mary is the holiday of Dragalevski monastery as well. Thousands of worshippers from Sofia and the area flood the monastery on this day.