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

Petkovden - Day of Saint Petka in legends and popular tradition

Photo: archive

The venerable Paraskeva of Epivat who lived in the 10th-11th century is known in this country as Saint Petka of Bulgaria. Her patron saint’s day falls on 14 October, known in popular tradition as Petkovden.

According to her passional, written by prominent Bulgarian cleric of the Middle Ages Patriarch Euthymius, she was born in Epivat and her parents were Bulgarian. From 1238 up until the Ottoman invasion in 1396, her holy relics were laid to rest in the St. Petka of Turnovo church in Turnovo. After being moved multiple times through the ages, in 1641 they were laid to rest inside the cathedral in Iași in Northern Romania where believers from all over the world go to pay their respects to this day.

Saint Paraskeva (Saint Petka of Bulgaria) is held in high esteem by Orthodox Christians in this country, with churches named after her all over Bulgaria. There are numerous legends and beliefs connected with her miracle-working powers as a healer and her protection of women, mothers and the home.

Compiled by Albena Bezovska



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

Dr. Petar Beron

Dr. Petar Beron speaks about the first steps of the Bulgarian transition and democracy today

On November 10, 1989, at a plenum of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party, Todor Zhivkov was removed from the position of General Secretary - the highest position in the party and the state. What happened at the..

published on 11/10/24 6:45 AM
Photo: National Archaeological Reserve Deultum - Debelt

A bottle featuring an image of the myth of the Chimera monster discovered in a 2nd-century Roman necropolis

Archaeologists have discovered a very rare and valuable glass bottle in a 2nd-century tomb in the southern necropolis of the Roman colony Deultum near the village of Debelt (Southeastern Bulgaria). What makes it unique is that it depicts the myth of..

published on 11/9/24 6:55 AM

Days of Croatian Archaeological Heritage start in Sofia

The Days of Croatian Archaeological Heritage, which will last until 8 November, begin today at the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (NAIM-BAS) in Sofia. The event is organised by the Croatian Embassy in..

published on 11/6/24 7:55 AM