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.
On November 22 and 23, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church will solemnly celebrate the 100th anniversary of the consecration of the Patriarchal Cathedral "St. Alexander Nevsky" . For a century the cathedral has been "a witness to all the hopes and..
The Feast of the Epiphany - the entry of the Theotokos into the Temple - is one of the oldest and most revered feasts in the Orthodox world. It was introduced in Constantinople around the 8th century during the time of Patriarch Tarasius. It was six..
The Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv , Israel, today commemorates the 130th anniversary of the birth of Dimitar Peshev, a righteous man of the nations of the world, deputy chairman of the 25th National Assembly of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian..
In anticipation of the Nativity of Christ, the Orthodox Church opens its doors for today's divine services, heralding the fulfillment of the mystery of..
The first modern Christmas was celebrated in Bulgaria in 1879. It followed a European model with a Christmas tree, ice skating and gifts. At that..
His Holiness Daniil, Patriarch of Bulgaria and Metropolitan of Sofia, addressed the Orthodox Christians on the eve of the bright Nativity of Christ..
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