Podcast in English
Audio Player
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 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

The Annunciation – the promised God's love is fulfilled

The Feast of the Annunciation is the day when God's promise for the salvation of the human soul from the eternal torments of darkness is fulfilled. Its message is that God loves us, says Father Bozhidar Marinov from the "Exaltation of the Holy Cross..

published on 3/25/25 6:05 AM

‎March 22 is a holiday in Veliko Tarnovo – a day to honor the glorious past of Bulgaria's medieval capital

Veliko Tarnovo is proud of its glorious past, encoded in the city’s holiday, associated with the day of the Holy Forty Martyrs – the spiritual patrons of Bulgaria's medieval capital. On the day of the 40 followers of Christ (March 22 according to..

published on 3/22/25 11:05 AM
Deisis, 1557, from Bachkovo Monastery

The treasures of the National Church Historical and Archaeological Museum in Sofia showcased in a new book

The book "Icons from the National Church Historical and Archaeological Museum" - a huge work of over 500 pages, with more than 700 published photographs and accompanying scientific articles, was officially presented a few days ago. The unique..

published on 3/19/25 5:05 AM