Today is Archangel's All Souls’ Day - the third in the Orthodox Church calendar. The days for venerating the dead are always on a Sunday - reminiscent of the day before the Resurrection of Christ. According to church rules, the days for veneration of the dead precede Lent, Pentecost and Archangel Michael’s Day.

We also pay tribute to all Bulgarian soldiers who died for our homeland, that’s why it is also known as the Men's All Souls’ Day. In Orthodox churches, a memorial service is held for all the dead, after which the priests read prayers over the bread, wine and wheat placed on a common table. After the prayers, the laity give each other the food they have brought, with the words "God forgive." This is the alms with which the living hope to beg for the salvation of the souls of their dead loved ones.

Read more about the symbolism related to the day in the publication from Radio Bulgaria’s collection entitled "All Souls Day".