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Origins of the Bulgarian Nation

09.04.2003 00:00:00
The Balkan Peninsula during the 4th-7th centuries AD
The Migration of the Slavs to the Balkan Peninsula
The Proto-Bulgarians in European History
I. The Balkan Peninsula during the 4th-7th centuries AD
The division of the powerful Roman Empire in 395 AD into an Eastern Empire with its capital in Constantinople, and a Western Empire with its capital in Rome, was a fact with an extreme importance in European history.
The Eastern Roman empire, better known in historical literature as Byzantium, turned out to possess a far greater vitality and stability than its Western counterpart. While in 476 AD the Western Roman Empire collapsed under the vicious attacks of the Barbarian tribes, Byzantium was to continue its existence for another thousand years. Its excellent military and administrative apparatus, as well as its brilliant diplomatic flexibility, succeeded at preserving its territorial integrity and independence from the neighboring states and the constantly invading Barbarian tribes. Byzantium controlled vast territories in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its Balkan territories were divided into two regions, named Illyria and Thrace, and each one of those contained a number of provinces. During the 6th century AD the Balkans were raided by Hunns, Goths, and other Barbarian tribes, who destroyed everything and everyone in their way, including towns and villages. A large portion of the local population was killed by the invaders, while other natives took refuge to the mountanous regions and other inaccessible places.
II. The Migration of the Slavs to the Balkan Peninsula
The settlement of Slavic tribes in Central Europe and in the Balkans is one of the most significant results of the Great Migration of Peoples. The Slavs belong to the Indo-European language family, and their formation as a distinctive group within the Indo-European community took place in 1000 BC. They inhabited the vast open spaces of Eastern Europe, north of the Carpathian mountains. The Medieval authors were unanimous that the Slavs were the most numerous of all peoples who inhabited Europe at that time. The Slavs lived in close proximity to the Germanic tribes and thus became known to the ancient Roman writers, who called them "venedi." The Roman history writer Tacitus (1st century AD) thought that the Slavs were related to the Germans, because their way of life was similar in many ways.

During the 4th century AD the three major Slavic groups were already formed: eastern (anti), western (venedi), and southern (slavini). In the middle of the 5th century AD the southern Slavs crossed the Carpathian mountains and settled in the former Roman provinces Panonia (today's Hungary) and Dacia (today's Romania). It wasn't until the beginning of the 6th century AD that the Slavs started crossing the Danube and attacking the Byzantine towns, after which they returned to the northern coast of the Danube along with all the goods and cattle they attained. The increased contacts between Byzantium and the Slavs brought them into the orbit of the Empire's politics. The Slavs were tempted by the rich provinces of the Empire, and by the end of the 6th century they started migrating south of the Danube and settling in the Balkans. The mass migration of Slavs led to their settling not only in the northern and central parts of the Balkan peninsula (Moesia, Thrace, Macedonia, the Rhodope Mountains and so on), but also in territories as far as Corinth in Greece. The remnants of the native Balkan population were quickly assimilated completely. The Slavic tribes started uniting in tribal unions, thus turning into an important political and ethnic factor in the history of the Balkans.

The Slavs were engaged primarily in agricultural activities, as well as in cattle-breeding, hunting, and fishing. From the native population they acquired the skills to cultivate vines and fruits. The Slav artisans were skilled smiths and woodcutters, and had a highly developed production of ceramics. Their pantheon was a typical representative of paganistic beliefs, mixed with politeism. The supreme deity's name was Perun, who was thought to have control over thunders and lightning, and who was believed to be the master of all things and creatures. Other deities were: Volos - the god of cattle, wealth, and family; Svarog - the god of artisans and fire; Dazhbog - the god of fertility; and Lada - the goddess of beaty and love. The Slavs also worshipped the powers of nature and the celestial bodies. The Slavic religious altars were always near old trees, and it was there that they sacrificed lambs, cows, and other domesticated animals. The Slavs also built wooden and stone idols of their deities. The belief in life after death was also present in the Slavs' pantheon, and it governed the burial rituals. The usual burial required that the dead person's body be burned, and then placed in a ceramic pot along with food and some basic necessities.

III. The Proto-Bulgarians in European History
During the Great Migration of Peoples the proto-Bulgarians asserted their importance as a factor in the history of Central and Eastern Europe. According to the most distinguished Bulgarian medievalist Vasil Zlatarski, the proto-Bulgarians contributed to "the organizational structure and the name of the state and the ethnos" while the Slavs provided "the human resources and the basis for power."

The proto-Bulgarians belonged to the Turco-Altaic language group. Their native land is thought to have been Western Siberia, along the valley of the Irtish River. During the 1st-2nd centuries AD they migrated in the direction of Eastern Europe and settled in the region north of the Caucusus. There the proto-Bulgarians established contact with the local native tribes of Iranian origin, whose cultural achievements and social hierarchy had a substantial impact on their further development. The proto-Bulgarians were mentioned and called by their own ethnic name (Bulgars - there are numerous speculations as to its meaning) for the first time by a Roman chronographer in 354 AD.

In the end of the 6th century AD the proto-Bulgarians were conquered and included in the composition of the powerful Western Turcic Khaganate, whose vast territory extended from China in the east to the Volga River in the West. However, the proto-Bulgarians refused to be subjugated by a foreign rule, and in 632 AD established a powerful military-nomad confederation, called "the Ancient Great Bulgaria" by the Byzantine authors. The confederation's creator, khan Kubrat of the Dulo family, had spent many years in Byzantium, and was rumored to have been sympathetic to the Christian faith. He established friendly relations and a military union with the Byzantine empire, and was granted the title of a patrician - the greatest title and honor ever awarded to foreign rulers by Byzantium. Khan Kubrat established the citadel of Phanagoria on the Taman peninsula as his capital.

After Kubrat's death around 665 AD, the power was transferred to his oldest son Batbayan. However, the internal conflicts between the various tribes weakened the confederation. The neighboring Hazar khaganate seized the window of opportunity and conquered Batbayan's lands. Khan Kubrat's second son, Kotrag, together with a part of the proto-Bulgarians withdrew to the rivers of Volga and Kama, where they and the local tribes created a state called Volgo-Kama Bulgaria, converted to Islam during the 10th century AD. The third son, Asparuh, together with the last remnants of the proto-Bulgarians withdrew to the west and settled in the area known as the "Ongul" in the delta of the Danube river, in what is today Bessarabia.

There is little information left in writing about the way of life of the proto-Bulgarians, and that is why the main body of information and evidence we have today was gathered through archeological excavations. The settlements of the proto-Bulgarians were built primarily in the steppes near the banks of rivers. Most of them lacked walls or any other defense structures, while some were impressive citadels, fortresses, and castles. The majority of the proto-Bulgarians lived in yurtas - large tents made of skins and leather, similar to the Native American wigwams. The primary activity of the proto-Bulgarians was the raising and breeding of all sorts of cattle and especially horses; the horses were used in the powerful Bulgar cavalry, the backbone of the proto-Bulgarian army. The horses were the chief means of transportation, and their meat and the mares' milk were important parts of the proto-Bulgarian everyday diet. Agriculture was slowly finding a place in the activities of the proto-Bulgarians and was primarily a supplement to the cattle-raising, as were hunting and fishing. Most agricultural products were either taken by force from or by exchange with the neighboring Slavic tribes. There were skilled proto-Bulgarian artisans, smiths, builders, and jewelers.

The social structure of the proto-Bulgarians was highly developed and complex. The main social unit was the tribe, and the variety of tribal names - unogonduri, kotragi, chdar-bulgar hints that there were many of them. The aristocracy (khans, boils, and bagains) held all the power and most material posessions, as opposed to the majority of common people. Slavery was widespread, even though it never became the backbone of proto-Bulgarian economy. The slaves were usually prisoners of war, who were used as shepherds, domestic servants, and builders of fortresses and other defensive structures.
The proto-Bulgarian religion was monotheistic and was characterized by the amalgamation of numerous beliefs and cults. The supreme deity's name was Tangra (which in translation means "sky"), the creator of the universe and master of all things and creatures. Tangra was worshipped in shrines, where he was offered sacrifices, accompanied by fortune-telling and other rituals. The supreme priest of Tangra was the khan. The dead were burried with their bodies always oriented north-south, along with food and some of their favorite posessions; sometimes their weapons and their horse would be burried with them. The proto-Bulgarians used a calendar system based on a 12-year lunar zodiacal cycle
MISCHINDEN  (Mäusetag)
MISCHINDEN (Mäusetag)
27.10.2023 10:00:00
Namenstag von allen, die den Namen Nestor tragen.
Heute ist DIMITROVDEN (St.Demetriustag)
Namenstag von allen mit den Namen  Dimiter, Dimitrina, Dimo, Mitra, Dragan, Drago, Dimka.Nach den traditionellen Sitten verzeichnet dieser Tag ( bekannt als Dimitrovden oder Mitrovden) den Anfang des Winters. “St.Georg (gefeiert am 6.Mai) bringt den Sommer, St.Demetrius (26.Ortober) bringt den Winter”. St.Demetrius reitet auf einen Ross und von seinem Bart fallen die ersten Schneeflocken. “ Kommt der Dimitrovden, kommt auch der Schnee”, so ist die Überlieferung. An diesem Tag endet die traditionelle Zeit, für die die Schäfer, Rinderhirte und Knechte eingestellt werden – der Zeitraum von Gergiovden (6.Mai) bis Dimitrivden ( Dimiter ist die bulgarische Version von Demetrius). Am nächsten Tag wird mit den Saisonarbeitern abgerechnet. Die Hausherren schenkten den Arbeitern neue Kleider und ein Lamm als Zeichen der Dankbarkeit.In der Nähe des Asowschen Meeres, wo Bulgaren angesiedelt waren, deutete man am Demetriustag, wie das Wetter im nächsten Jahr sein wird. Hatte man Vollmond, so sollte der Frühling warm sein und die Bienen sollten sich mehren. Am Demetriustag mussten außerdem alle, die ein neues Haus bauen, die Arbeit abschließen. Die Nachbarn und die neuen Hausherren schenkten den Bauarbeitern verschiedene Leckereien, Kleider und Handtücher. Der Baumeister befestigte auf dem Dach ein Kreuz aus Holz und segnete das neue Haus ab. Es war Brauch, dass der neue Hausherr einen weißen Schafbock schlachtet und die ganze Familie und die Nachbarschaft einlädt. Am Dimitrovden werden Volksfeste und Kirchmessen veranstaltet. Am Samstag vor der Feier ist die sogenannte “Dimitrovska Saduschnitza” ( der Allerseelentag).
Festtag des Rila-Klosters
Festtag des Rila-Klosters
19.10.2023 09:00:00
Am 19.Oktober feiert die bulgarische Kirche die Endeckung der heiligen Reliquen von St.Joan von Rila und deren Befцrderung nach Sofia. Als die Hungaren 1183 Sofia eroberten, verlegten sie die heiligen Reste von Joan von Rila in ihre Hauptstadt Estergon.Spдter wurden die sterblichen Reste wieder nach Sofia gebracht. Im Jahre 1195 verlegte der bulgarische Zar Assen I. sie nach Veliko Tarnovo. 1497 wurden die Reliquen ins Rila-Kloster zurьckverlegt, wo sie auch heute  behalten und verehrt werden. Deshalb ist der 19.Oktober Feiertag vom Rila-Kloster. 
18.Oktober -  St.Lukastag
18.Oktober - St.Lukastag
18.10.2023 08:00:00
Der Heilige Apostel und Evangelist St.Luka, der das Evangelium ьber das Leben und Werk von Jesus Christi schrieb, war auch als wunderbarer Heiler und begabter Maler bekannt. Er ist in der Stadt Antioche, Syrien, geboren. Nach seinem Treffen mit St.Paul beschloss er, sein Leben zum Gottesdienst zu widmen.Luka hatte den Ruhm eines berьhmten Heilers und Doktors. Er war der erste christliche Arzt. AuЯerdem ist er, allgemein anerkannt,der erste christliche Ikonenmaler.Die alten Kirchenschriftsteller berichten, dass er als erster das Antlitz der Heiligen Mutter Gottes malte. Er wird fьr Beschьtzer aller Maler gehalten, deshalb wird der 18.Oktober als ihr professioneller Feiertag begangen.Der St.Luka - und St.Zlata-Tag ist Namenstag fьr alle, die den Namen Luka, Zlatka, Zlatko, Zlatimir, Zlatimira tragen. 
Heute ist PETKOVDEN (Hl.Petka Festtag)
Namenstag von allen, die den Namen der Heiligen tragen - Paraskeva, Petko, Petjo, Petka, Petkana, Penka, Pentscho.Eine der meistgeliebten Heiligen in Bulgarien ist St. Paraskeva (genannt Petka). Der alten bulgarischen Mythologie nach war die Hl. Petka Tante des Hl. Demetrius. Am Tag der Hl. Petka durfte man nicht weben und nicht stricken.  An diesem Tag durfte man außerdem die Kinder nicht baden. Derjenige, der am Freitag vor dem Tag der Hl. Petka nicht gefastet hat, sollte ertrinken.Paraskeva war die Tochter wohlhabender Christen. Ihr Name ist abgeleitet vom Freitag, dem Rüsttag für das Wochenende, er deutet auf den Tag der Passion Christi. Nach den Legenden der Ostkirche wurde sie freitags getauft und erhielt in Erinnerung an beide Ereignisse ihren Namen; nach denen der westlichen Kirche wurde sie an einem Freitag geboren. Paraskeva wurde als Predigerin berühmt. Vor Gericht in den Verfolgungen unter Diokletian nach dem Namen gefragt, antwortete sie, ihr Name sei "Christus", worauf sie in Iconium gemartert wurde.
Welttag des Lächelns am 5. Oktober
Der gelbe Kreis mit zwei ovalen Augen und einem lächelnden Mund wurde im Dezember 1963 vom Werbegrafiker Harvey Ball erfunden.
POKROV BOGORODITSCHEN ( Heiliger Schutz der Mutter Gottes )
Pokrov, populär  in Bulgarien als Festtag HEILIGER SCHUTZ DER MUTTER GOTTES, ist der slawische Begriff für “ Schleier “ oder “ Umhang”, mit der Bedeutung “Schutz”. Dieser Festtag wird heute vorwiegend von der Ostslawischen Kirche – katholisch und orthodox – verehrt.Die Geschichte des Festtages geht auf die folgende Legende zurück: Die Hauptstadt von Byzanz wurde von fremden Invasoren angegriffen. Die Menschen waren in der Kirche Blachernae versammelt, wo als weltvolle Reliquie ein Schleier von Jungfrau Maria, der Heiligen Mutter Gottes aufbewahrt wurde. Die Menschen beteten die ganze Nacht und in ihrer Angst riefen sie die Heilige Jungfrau Maria zur Hilfe herbei. Der Heilige Andrej und sein Heiliger Junger Epiphanius sahen die Vision der Heiligen Mutter Gottes, wie sie durch den Haupteingang in die Kirche reinkam, zum Altar ging, wo sie in die Knien fiel und betete. Dann nahm sie ihren Schleier (“Pokrov”) herunter und breitete ihn über die Menschen aus, als wolle sie die schützen. Danach verschwand sie. St.Andrej und St. Epiphanius sahen darin ein Gotteszeichen.Bald danach zogen sich die feindlichen Invasoren zurück. Die Stadt wurde gerettet. Seitdem wird dieses Ereignis jedes Jahr am 1.Oktober zelebriert und ist in der slawischen Kirche als “ Pokrov Presvjatoji Bogorodjizi” ( bedeutet “Heiliger Schutz der Mutter Gottes”) bekannt.
22.September - Tag der Unabhängigkeit
Am 22.September 1908 erklärte der bulgarische Fürst Ferdinand in der alten Hauptstadt Bulgariens die Unabhängigkeit Bulgariens vom Osmanischen Reich. Dieser Staatsakt stelle den natürlichen Abschluss des über Jahrhunderte gedauerte Freiheitskampfes dar.Das Osmanische Reich und die Großen Mächte erkannten offiziell die Unabhängigkeit von Bulgarien an.Am 10.September 1998 erklärte das Parlament diesen Tag zum offiziellen Nationalfeiertag.
WYARA, NADESCHDA und LJUBOV (Glaube, Hoffnung und Liebe) und ihre Mutter SOPHIA
Namenstag von allen mit den Namen Wjara, Vera, Veronika, Nadeschda, Nadja, Ljuben, Ljubomir, Ljuba, Sophia, Sofka, Sevda.
Neues Schuljahr beginnt !
Neues Schuljahr beginnt !
15.09.2023 09:00:00
Neues Schuljahr beginnt – 64.000 Erstklässler