Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Today is Petkovden, the day of St Petka

Photo: BGNES

On 14 October, he Bulgarian Orthodox church honours Saint Paraskeva, also called St. Petka of Tarnovo.

The icon of Saint Petka depicts a pretty young woman in a nun’s habit, or in royal attire, with a cross in her left hand and with her right hand at her chest. The icon is usually life-size, and sometimes St. Nedelya or St. Anastasia of Tarnovo are depicted next to her. Patriarch Euthymius of Tarnovo is author of one of the most famous passionals of St. Petka.

In the Bulgarian folk calendar, Petkovden marks the end of the active farming season. To mark the day, ritual loaves of bread are baked, and the table is laden with mutton, soup, leek stew and stuffed sarmi.

Find out more about St. Petka:



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

147 years since the liberation of Sofia

The fighting for Sofia within the framework of the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878) began on December 25, 1877. On January 3, 1878, the city's commandant Osman Nuri Pasha began to withdraw from Sofia.  His plans to set the city on fire were thwarted..

published on 1/4/25 6:30 AM

Regional History Museum - Sofia presents video stories of iconic buildings

In its latest digital section “Buildings Tell a Story”, the Regional History Museum – Sofia presents the stories of iconic buildings in the center of the Bulgarian capital city, as well as of the people who once lived in them. The video initiative..

published on 12/28/24 7:20 AM
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary cathedral in Sofia, part of the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church

Supreme Court of Cassation rules that the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church must be registered

T he Supreme Court of Cassation has given final judgement that the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church must be registered in the register of religious denominations. This isthe first time a second Orthodox church will be registered, the..

published on 12/27/24 9:32 AM