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

In Bulgarian folklore St. Elijah is master of hail and storms

Photo: pravoslavie.bg

On July 20, Orthodox Christians mark the day of St. Elijah. Bulgarians call this holiday Ilinden and in folklore traditions St. Elijah is seen as a saints who is master of hail, thunder, and lightning.

In folk tales the saint has a chariot of fire and as he rides in it he chases a dragon (“lamya”) that feeds on the wheat in the fields. Perhaps, this notion is connected with the miracle of his departure from the earthly world as it is said that St. Elijah was taken in a chariot of fire and brought alive to heaven.

A beautiful song from the repertoire of Daniel Spasov and Milen Ivanov tells about the supernatural powers of "Old Saint Elijah".


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

Bulgarians honor the work of the Seven Saints

On July 27, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and people glorify the work of the seven saints- the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, and their disciples Saints Kliment, Naum, Sava, Gorazd and Angelarius. The day was chosen by the church..

published on 7/27/24 7:15 AM

Latest archaeological discoveries in Urvich fortress revive legends of Tsar Yassen

On the road leading from Sofia to Samokov upstream the Iskar River near the big picturesque bend between the former villages of Kokalyane and Pasarel at the Devil's Bridge is the Srednoberdie Ridge. There the Vedena River flows into the Iskar and the..

published on 7/26/24 5:05 AM

Today Orthodox Christians mark the Assumption of St. Anna

The Bulgarian Orthodox church marks the assumption of St. Anna – the saint who gave birth to Maria, the future mother of Jesus Christ. Christians in Bulgaria mark Day of St. Anne - patron of motherhood St. Anna is considered to be the..

published on 7/25/24 7:55 AM