Current News

Current News

BIRTH OF THE HOLY MOTHER (also known as “Nativity of the Theotokos”)

BIRTH OF THE HOLY MOTHER (also known as “Nativity of the Theotokos”)

9/8/2024 8:00:00 AM
According to the traditional celebration of the birth of the Holy Mother, on the eve of the holiday the ones that are sick and ailing should make a votive oath. It should be done in the following way: first, Virgin-Mary-bread is made, decorated with a bride’s bracelet. An Easter “doll” of dough is placed on top of the bread, covered with honey.































































































































After it is baked, the sick man breaks the bread. He throws the first piece up through the chimney and eats the second, saying some kind of oath, like the following: “As long as I live I’ll not put goat meat in my mouth. For the illness – a honey bread, for me – cure and health!” Then he pours some red wine from a clay bowl for the illness, while the rest he drinks himself. Old people believe that after that the illness goes away, but they know that “an oath should not be broken till the grave!”































































































































The establishment of four major feast days to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary took place in the days of the apostolic era and have a significance in the Greek Orthodox Church which has remained unaltered through nearly twenty centuries of Christianity. The mother' of the Son of God is honored on:































































































































    * March 25, the day of Annunciation when the Archangel Gabriel told Mary she was to become the mother of Jesus Christ (“Blagoveshtenie” Day in Bulgaria);































































    * August 15, the Repose of the blessed Virgin Mary (“Goliama Bogoroditsa” in BG);































































    * November 21, the Entrance of the Blessed Theotokos to the Temple;































































    * February 2, when the Mother of God brought the infant Jesus to the temple for presentation forty days after His birth;































































    * A fifth day of commemoration is celebrated on September 8, honoring the Virgin Mary on the day of her birth.
Anniversary of the birth of Dr Obreiko Obreikov (1891 - 1969), the founder of the Plovdiv Fair
Born on June 17, 1891 in Plovdiv, Dr. Obreikov comes from an eminent Bulgarian Revival period family.
VIDOVDEN (Vido’s day) - June 15
VIDOVDEN (Vido’s day) - June 15
6/15/2024 9:00:00 AM
That day is the feast of the last one of the hail-men family - sometimes interpreted as a brother, Vido, sometimes as a syster - Vida.
ELISSEY feastday (Liseh’s Day; St.Eliseus) - June 14
The traditional feast of Eliseus (also called Ellisey, Lisseh, Lisso or Lissey) is one of the thunder-maker feasts, alongside with German and Bartholomew.
Today is SPASSOVDEN
Today is SPASSOVDEN
6/13/2024 10:00:00 AM
SPASSOVDEN (always on Thursday, 40 Days after Easter - “Ascension Day” or “Ascension of the Lord”): The great feast called the Spassovden or Ascension Day is connected to the eternal human wish for health and joy. The feast is a non-fixed one, and it is celebrated 40 days after Easter, always on Thursday.
VARTOLOMEY (St Bartholomew’s Day) - June 11
The feast is called Vartolomey or also Varti-Lomi (in association of storm and hail).
Today we celebrate "The Day of Botev and All Freedom Fighters Who Lost Their Lives for the Independence of Bulgaria"
That day has been appointed by a decree of the Ministerial Council dated May 31st 1993. It was first celebrated back in 1884 in Vratsa and Plovdiv.
Bulgaria marks the International children’s day
Bulgaria marks the International children's day: June 1st. Festive celebrations, theatrical performances and concerts for the young ones are organized throughout the country.
Bulgarian Literacy and Culture Celebration Day - May 24th
Ever since the earliest Bulgarian manuscript books (preserved until today), we can trace the tradition to honor the two saint brothers - St Cyril (on February 14th) and St Methodius (on April 6th) ...
St.St.Constantine and Helena Feast
St.St.Constantine and Helena Feast
5/21/2024 8:00:00 AM
May 21st is celebrated in Bulgaria as the church feast of St. St.Constatine and Helena.
 Orthodox Christians mark Toma’s Sunday
Orthodox Christians mark Toma’s Sunday