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

Orthodox Christians honor the memory of deceased relatives

Photo: BTA

On Saturday before Mesni Zagovezni or Meat Shrovetide Orthodox Bulgarians commemorate the dead. It is one of the three All Souls' Day that Orthodox Christians mark each year.

The very name "Zadushnitsa" means a day for commemorating the souls of the departed and it is always on a Saturday designated by the church to honor the dead.

After the commemoration, relatives of the deceased make gifts with the words: "May God forgive." The bell tolls mournfully, with a measured stroke. On the day before, the relatives of the deceased visit the grave, clean it, then pour wine over it and burn incense. The next day, during the liturgy, the Gospel reading recalls the picture of the Last Judgment.



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

Ancient city Heraclea Sintica presented through 3D glasses at international tourist expos

The ancient city Heraclea Sintica is among Bulgaria's most attractive tourist sites presented at international tourist exhibitions in Vienna and Stuttgart , Katya Stoyanova, head of the project "Restoration, conservation and socialization of Heraclea..

published on 1/27/25 11:06 AM

Remains of Roman military facilities shed new light on life near Bulgaria's town of Lom on the Danube

Archaeological excavations in the Kaleto district of the Bulgarian town of Lom situated on the Danube River have revealed remains of Roman defensive facilities dating back to the 1st century AD .  Archaeologists prove that Lower Danube region..

published on 1/26/25 5:05 AM

The oldest Cyrillic manuscript preserved in Bulgaria exhibited at the National Library

Many citizens of Sofia took advantage of the opportunity to see the Enina Apostle and the Argirov triod manuscripts which were exhibited today for two hours at the National Library "St. Cyril and Methodius".  The event took place on the..

published on 1/20/25 2:03 PM