Nachrichten

Nachrichten

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
SVETA BOGORODITSA / GOLJAMA BOGORODITSA (Mariä Himmelfahrt)
Die Orthodoxe Kirche nennt diesen Tag "Dormition", "Entschlafung" MariensAn Mariä Himmelfahrt feiern alle, die Maria, Mariana, Mara, Martscho, Mario heißen, ihren Namenstag.Mariä Himmelfahrt ist eines der größten Feste im bulgarischen Festkalender. An diesem Tag durfte man früher keine Arbeit verrichten. Die Kranken verbrachten die Nacht auf Mariä Himmelfahrt unter freiem Himmel, an heilenden Stätten. Am frühen Morgen brachte man die ersten Früchte des Jahres – Wassermelonen, Weintrauben und Honig – in die Kirche, um geweiht zu werden. „Vor Mariä Himmelfahrt wird der Stroh zu Getreide, nach Mariä Himmelfahrt wird das Getreide zu Stroh“, besagt ein altes bulgarisches Sprichwort.Früher war das eine feste Regel – bis Mariä Himmelfahrt musste der Drusch abgeschlossen sein. Nach alter Tradition brachte man das Getreide vor Mariä Himmelfahrt nach Hause, wo die Drescharbeit begann. Die Tochter in der Familie saß im Fuhrwagen vom Feld bis ins Dorf und die Hausherrin begrüßte die Arbeiter mit frischem Wasser. An Mariä Himmelfahrt musste man die Ritualbrote vom Mehl der neuen Ernte zubereiten. Man glaubte früher, wenn es an Mariä Himmelfahrt regnet, dann wird die Ernte im nächsten Jahr noch besser sein. Es musste auch ein Lamm geschlachtet werden, das zuvor vom Priester geweiht wurde.Da am Mariä Himmelfahrt die zweiwöchige Fastenzeit abgeschlossen worden ist, schenkte man den Nachbarn Fleisch und Ritualbrote und sprach dabei: „Die Heilige Mutter Gottes soll euch in Not helfen!“In manchen Regionen Bulgariens ehrte man an diesem Tag auch die Stiere, die mit grünen Pflanzen und Blumen geschmückt wurden. Es gab auch ein alter Aberglaube, an Mariä Himmelfahrt keine roten Gegenstände zu berühren. Sonst glaubte man, dass die Tiere im Stall Blut spucken werden.
VERKLÄRUNG JESU
VERKLÄRUNG JESU
06.08.2023 07:43:00
Die Orthodoxe Kirche feiert am 6. August die Verklärung Jesu. Nach der Legende festigte Jesus Christ den Glauben seiner Jüngster in seiner Göttlichkeit, indem er sich auf einem hohen Berg vor den Augen von Petrus, Jacobus und Johannes verwandelte.„ Sein Angesicht leuchtete wie die Sonne, seine Kleider aber wurden weiß wie Licht". Jesus und den ihn begleitenden Petrus, Jakobus und Johannes erschienen Mose und Elia, aus den Wolken sprach eine Stimme: "Siehe, das ist mein geliebter Sohn, an dem ich Wohlgefallen gefunden habe".Obwohl das Fest der Verklärung in die Fastenzeit vor Mariä Himmelfahrt fiel, durfte man an diesem Tag Fisch essen. Am Fest der Erscheinung Christi durfte man früher zum ersten Mal Weintrauben pflücken und essen. Zuvor mussten die Trauben vom Priester geweiht werden, damit es auch im nächsten Jahr Trauben gibt.
MAKAWEJ - Tage - 1.-12. August
MAKAWEJ - Tage - 1.-12. August
01.08.2023 09:00:00
Die 12 Makawej-Tage hatten mit der Wettervorhersage zu tun. Der erste Tag stand für September, der zweite – für Oktober, der dritte – für November usw. Wie das Wetter am jeweiligen Tag war, so sollte es im entsprechenden Monat sein.Am ersten dieser Tage, genannt Egus, feierten die Frauen. An diesem Tag versammelte der Schwiegervater seine Schwiegersöhne, um gemeinsam zu feiern. Zum Abschluss der Feier gingen die Schwiegersöhne durch das ganze Haus und durch den Garten, um allen Ecken des Hauses Fruchtbarkeit zu spenden. Man glaubte, dass jedem, der an diesem Tag arbeitet, das Haus abbrennen wird.               
ST. PANTELEIMON, der Nothelfer ( Pantaleonstag )
Namenstag von allen mit den Namen Pantelej, Dobra, Dobrin, Dobrina.Im Volksmund bezeichnete man den Hl. Pantaleimon als Pantaleon, den Reisende. Die Bezeichnung des Tages ist aus dem Altgriechischen abgeleitet und bedeutet hilfsbereit. Am Tag des Hl. Pantaleimon betete man, dass es keine Überflutungen gibt. Am Tag des Hl. Pantaleimon feierten auch alle Heiler und Kräuterfrauen, weil der Heilige alle Krankheiten kurieren konnte.Legenden der Bulgaren, die am Asowschen Meer angesiedelt sind, erzählen über den alten Glauben, dass sich die Störche am Tag des Hl. Pantaleimon auf den Weg machten, um den Schnee zu holen.Pantaleimon war Sohn eines heidnischen Vaters und einer christlichen Mutter. Schon als Kind erkannte er seine Heilkräfte, er wurde in der Arzneikunst ausgebildet und von einem weisen Priester namens Hermolaus bekehrt und getauft. Als er im Beisein seines Vaters durch Anrufung Christi einen Blinden sehend machte, bekehrte sich auch der Vater.Kaiser Maximian wählte sich den Könner als Leibarzt. Als Pantaleimon seine Frau erzählte, dass er Christ sei und versuchte, auch sie zu bekehren, wurde das Gespräch belauscht, und Pantaleimon beim Kaiser denunziert. Der soll daraufhin abgedankt und sich freiwillig in die Verbannung begeben haben.Der Nachfolger ließ Pantaleimon verhaften und anklagen, aber seine Standhaftigkeit konnte auch durch Geißelung, Hunger und andere Martern nicht erschüttert werden; schließlich spaltete ein Schwertschlag, der ihn enthaupten sollte, dem an einen Ölbaum gebundenen Pantaleimon das Haupt. Aus seiner Wunde sei danach kein Blut, sondern Milch geflossen.
St. Anna –Sommerfesttag ( St. Anna –Sommerfesttag (Tag der Entschlafung)
Namenstag von allen mit den Namen Anna, Jana, Enko.Das ist der zweite Tag, an dem man die Heilige Anna verehrt (Dezember, 9. - ANINDEN (St. Anna’s Tag – Tag der Empfängnis der Allerheiligsten Gottesmutter).
Heute ist ILINDEN (Eliastag)
Heute ist ILINDEN (Eliastag)
20.07.2023 09:00:00
An diesem Tag feiern alle, die den Namen des Hl. Elias tragen (auf Bulgarisch: Ilija ) ihren Namenstag: Ilija, Iliana, Ilian, Ilko, Ilka. Das Fest Eliastag steht im Zusammenhang mit dem slawischen Gott des Donners und der Gewitter Perun. Es war früher Brauch, am Eliastag den ältesten Hahn zu schlachten. Dadurch wurden die Hühner im Stall jünger. Den Hahn verstand man als Symbol der Manneskraft und deshalb galten die Bräuche am Eliastag den Junggesellen.Auf dem Dorfplatz versammelten sich die Junggesellen. Derjenige von ihnen, der glaubte, er sei reif genug, um eine Familie zu gründen, bekam vom ältesten Junggesellen einen roten Gürtel geschenkt. Der Gurt wurde von der Mutter oder der Schwester des heiratswilligen Burschen gewebt. Während der älteste Junggeselle den neuen Gürtel schnallte, segnete er den Burschen mit den Worten: „So, wie ich dir den Gürtel anbinde, so sollst du auch eine Braut an dich binden!“ Dann tanzten die Junggesellen einen speziellen Reigentanz und der heiratsfähige Bursche galt als reif genug, um eine eigene Familie zu gründen. Das Fest ging an einer gemeinsamen Festtafel weiter. Am Eliastag haben auch alle Handwerker, die Leder verarbeiten, ihren Festtag. Elia war der größte Prophet im Nordreich Israel. Sein Anliegen war die ausschließliche Verehrung Jahwes. Er wirkte in der Zeit heftiger Auseinandersetzungen zwischen dem alten Baals-Kult und dem Glauben an Jahwe, den Gott Israels.
Freiheitsapostel Vassil Levski
Freiheitsapostel Vassil Levski
18.07.2023 09:00:00
Bulgarien feiert den Geburtstad von Vassil Levski, Ideologe und Organisator der Befreiungsbewegung des bulgarischen Volkes gegen das osmanische Joch.
Die orthodoxen Christen feiern am 17.Juli den Tag der HL.MARINA
Namenstag von allen mit den Namen Marin, Marina (bedeutet hart, gradlinig). An diesem Tag feiert  die orthodoxe Kirche den Tag der HL. Marina, die als Mдrtyrerin starb.\r\nmehr...
 GORESHTNITSI (Die Heißen Hundstage)
Im traditionellen Kalender ehrt man die Sonne und das Feuer als irdische Zeichen der Sonne.