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 9th century BC. In folklore tradition, the day is known as Ilinden, and is one of the most popular summertime feasts. Elijah is believed to punish nonbelievers with drought and to send rain to those who repent. He is the protector of the poor.
Because of the power he wields over the celestial fire, Elijah is also called Grumovnik, Grumolomnik, Grumodol - all of them derived from the word grum – thunderclap.
Today is the name day of all people named after the prophet – Iliya, Iliyan, Ilyiana, Ilka, Ilcho etc. It is also the day of curriers, fur-dressers, saddle and tile makers, and firefighters.
Compiled by Darina Grigorova
Translated and posted by Milena Daynova
Photos: archive, EPA/BGNES
Immediately after the great Christian feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the Day of the Holy Spirit - the third person of the Holy Trinity. It is also the Church's last feast before the Feast of All Saints, which concludes the Easter cycle. The Divine..
Every year on Saturday before the great Christian holiday of Pentecost, the Church marks the second All Souls' Day of the year, which the people call Cherry All Souls' Day because it always coincides with cherry harvest season...
Bulgaria is still the only European country without a memorial to the victims of totalitarian regimes. Attention was once again called to this shameful fact, like a long untreated ulcer on the body of our society, on 1 June, when hundreds of people..
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..
sunshine, cloud, rain and thunder
Partly Cloudy
Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Mostly Cloudy