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

Happy New Year! Happy St. Basil's Day!

The magic of the new beginning

Photo: BGNES

It's January 1st! The first day of 2021, the first day of a new beginning and new hopes for each of us, for our families and loved ones, for all people in the world! 

Today Orthodox Christians celebrate the day of St. Basil the Great, also revered by the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Anglican, Lutheran and other churches. St. Basil remains in history not only as a great theologian, scientist, teacher, but also with the charitable institution he organized for the sick, poor and orphans, including hospital, inn, workshops, school, housing for the bishop, priests, doctors and staff.

In the Bulgarian folk tradition, St. Basil's Day is also a time of ritual practices that have pagan roots.  Good wishing is important on this day and one of the most common wishes is: "Surva, Happy New Year!" This is the title of an article from the collection of Radio Bulgaria, which tells more about the folk customs performed on this day.


Editor: 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

Nature is transformed on 6 August - Transfiguration Day in Bulgaria

On the sixth day after the beginning of the summer fasting dedicated to the Theotokos, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the Transfiguration of the Lord, one of the twelve feasts of the Lord . And as the Bulgarian tradition dictates, the church..

published on 8/4/24 5:25 AM

The hottest days of the year known as "goreshtnitsi" start in Bulgaria

The  goreshtnitsi –  dog days, the hottest days of summer in Bulgaria fall on 15, 16 and 17 July. Their roots go back to pagan times and are connected with the cult of fire. The tradition of  goreshtnitsi  is observed mostly in Northern and..

published on 7/15/24 10:34 AM
Photo: Scientific Society of Bulgarians in the Republic of Moldova

Bulgarians in Moldova pay tribute to the feat of Hristo Botev and the heroes of Bulgaria

Did you know that in the Moldovan capital Chisinau there is a street named after Hristo Botev? Located about three kilometers from the city center, there stands an impressive monument to the Bulgarian poet, revolutionary and public figure, who died in..

published on 6/1/24 2:10 PM