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

Saint Archangel Michael's Day - a celebration of good, light and justice

Photo: library

On November 8, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours the Seven Archangels - these are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salathiel, Yehudiil, and Barachiel, the heavenly warriors of light and justice. In Bulgarian beliefs, the eldest of all angels - Archangel Michael, stands closest to God. He is the main guardian of Paradise and a zealous advocate of God's law. When the last hour of the earthly journey of the soul comes, the Archangel Michael himself descends to separate it from the body.

In some icons, the Heavenly Warrior holds scales in his hands to measure the sins of men. Family and family sacrifices are also made in his honour, with prayers for health and protection from the heavenly army.

Archangel Michael's Day is also a professional holiday for police officers. It was first celebrated in 1924, and the tradition was interrupted from 1944 to 1994.

November 8 is also celebrated as the name’s day of persons bearing the names of: Angel, Angela, Archangel, Gabriel, Gavrail, Mila, Milen, Milena, Mihail, Mihael, Mihaela, Ognyan, Plamen, Plamena, Rada, Radka, Radoslav, Raiko, Raina, Rangel, Raya and their derivatives.




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

Cuman settlement discovered near fortress of Ryahovets in Gorna Oryahovitsa

Archaeologists from the Historical Museum in the town of Gorna Oryahovitsa have discovered a settlement of the Cumans this summer during the excavations of a medieval necropolis east of the Thracian fortress of Rykhovets near the town of Gorna..

published on 7/21/24 11:40 AM

Archaeological discoveries near Lovech unequivocally reveal the roots of European civilization in Bulgarian lands

Not far from the town of Lovech, between the villages of Doirentsi and Drenov, during the construction of the future route of the Hemus motorway, a seven-thousand-year-old pit sanctuary surrounded by a ritual ditch was discovered . Its exploration began..

published on 7/20/24 11:05 AM

20 July is St. Elijah’s Day – Ilinden

On one of the hottest days of summer, 20 July, the Christian Orthodox church honours the prophet Elijah. Many churches around the country have been named after the Old Testament prophet. According to the bible, Elijah lived in the 9 th century BC...

published on 7/20/24 7:10 AM