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Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks Day of Saint Michael the Archangel

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Photo: Rositsa Staikova

On November 8, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the Day of Saint Michael the Archangel also known as Arhangelovden. There are seven angels standing at God’s heavenly throne and Saint Michael the Archangel is the first among them. He is depicted with a spear in his hand while stamping on the devil with his feet. The legend has it that when the world was divided in two- good and evil, Saint Michael the Archangel took the lead of the army of the angels and remained loyal to the forces of good. On the eight day of November the Orthodox Bulgarians mark the All Souls Day and pay tribute to the dead. In folk traditions, various rituals are performed on the Day of Saint Michael the Archangel. People bake special ritual bread and hand it out to the family to remember the dead. On this day Angel, Angelina, Mihail, Mihaela, Arangel, Raycho, Rayna and Rangel celebrate their name day. Since 1924 November 8 has been celebrated as the Bulgarian Police Day as well. 




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