The holy apostles Peter and Paul are two of the most revered, famous and influential apostles of the Christian Church.

In Bulgaria, both apostles are among the most revered saints. This is evidenced by the many churches and monasteries in Bulgaria, which bear the name of the holy supreme apostles Peter and Paul. On their feast day known in Bulgaria as Petrovden they all celebrate the bright holiday appropriately with the Holy Liturgy and church celebrations.

According to the Holy Bible, the holy apostles Peter and Paul ended their earthly lives on the same day - June 29, year 67 AD. The Holy Apostle Peter was condemned to a shameful crucifixion, as a pagan, and Saint Paul was cut down with the sword because he was a Roman citizen. 

In order to remember the sufferings of the founders of Christ's teachings and the first Christians, the Church introduced the so-called Peter’s or Apostolic Fast which always begins on the Sunday after Pentecost. 

Unlike the Great Lent, it is not so strict, but the fact that the Church has determined it speaks of the need for spiritual preparation preceding the great church holidays. This means that Christian believers should remember these spiritual teachers, whose names - Peter - "stone" and Paul - "small", speak of the firmness and humility to which Christ's followers should strive.

In the folk calendar, the holiday is associated with the harvest and the first apples – the so-called “petrovki, young animals and the cheerful fairs and gatherings marking the feast.

Many people in Bulgaria also celebrate their name’s day on Saints Peter and Paul’s Day (Petrovden), including those bearing the names Peter, Petya, Pavlina, Polina, Kamen, Pavel and their derived names.

Read more about folk beliefs related to the two apostles in the publication Tales and legends about the brothers Peter and Paul.

Photos: BGNES archive, BTA archive