Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks Holy Forty Martyrs Day

published on 3/9/21 7:05 AM

Church of the Holy Forty Martyrs in Veliko Tarnovo

Photo: Library

On March 9, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the day of the Holy Forty Martyrs. These are early Christian Armenian warriors, martyrs from the city of Sebase who died in the 4th century for their faith during the persecutions of Emperor Licinius.

According to popular belief, on this day the sun turns to summer and the weather warms up.

In the Bulgarian history, March 9, 1230 was the date of the battle at Klokotnitsa, when Tsar Ivan Asen II defeated and captured the invading Epirus ruler Theodore Comnenus. The Bulgarian tsar captured the whole family of Comnenus, and his numerous captured soldiers were released. In honour of the great victory, the tsar ordered the construction of a church to the Holy Forty Martyrs in the medieval capital the capital Tarnovo where he puts a commemorative inscription.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria History and religion Bulgarian Orthodox Church Forty Holy Martyrs Klokotnitsa martyrs

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