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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.




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