Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saint Anthony the Great

Photo: www.pravoslavieto.com

On January 17 the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saint Anthony the Great who is regarded as one of the founders of monasticism in the Christian world. In Egypt, Saint Anthony founded a monastery which is preserved until present and is considered the oldest monastery in the world. According to the Bulgarian folk tradition, people mark the Day of Saint Anthony (Antonovden) to protect themselves from illnesses. On this day, women do not weave or cook beans or lentils to keep plague and measles away from their homes. Specially baked soda pita bread is handed out to relatives and neighbors for good health. A piece of bread is left in the attic to chase plague away from the house. Nearly 82,000 Bulgarians celebrate their name day on this day- Anton, Antonia, Andon, Toncho, Donka, etc.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

1800-year-old triangular tower discovered near Sofia

The Urvich Fortress continues to reveal its secrets from the time when Sofia was Roman Serdica. A triangular stone tower dating back to the end of the 2nd century was discovered by young archaeologists Dr. Filip Petrunov and..

published on 7/26/25 6:10 AM
Some of the rock churches are open to tourists

The valley of the monks: The churches in the valley of Rusenski Lom and its tributaries

In Northeastern Bulgaria the river Rusenski Lom and its tributaries – Cherni, Beli and Malki Lom – have carved out a rugged rocky landscape with hidden caves and hushed valleys where the only sound is that of the birdsong. People have settled in..

published on 7/22/25 1:05 PM
Metropolitan Joseph, head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in the USA, Canada, and Australia

Metropolitan Joseph, blessed the new Parish Council of the Holy Trinity Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Madison

His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in the USA, Canada, and Australia, has blessed the newly elected Parish Council of the Holy Trinity Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Madison, Illinois. The new council was elected..

published on 7/21/25 3:11 PM