As of the day of St. Andrew (Andreevden) the day begins to grow by one millet grain a day
Today the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called with liturgies held in churches across the country.
The saint, who was the first among the apostles to have been called by Jesus Christ witnessed his miracles, his death and his resurrection. In the Bulgarian lands St. Peter’s brother – St. Andrew is highly revered and often chosen as the patron saint of the family.
In popular belief it is said that as of the day of St. Andrew the day begins to grow by one millet grain a day, that is why in some parts of the country it goes by the name of Edrey, Edrevden, from “edur”, big.
On this day ritual loaves are baked and cereals and pulses which swell are put on the table – like lentils, peas, wheat – so that everything may grow during the year. In folklore beliefs St. Andrew is connected with bears – the biggest predators living in Bulgaria’s forests.
Read more about the St. Andrew’s Day legends, beliefs, customs here.
On the feast of the Dormition of Saint Ivan Rilski, the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil led the Divine Liturgy at the Rila Monastery. On the eve of the feast, he bowed before the relics of the patron saint of the Bulgarian people..
Today, August 18, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the Dormition of St. John of Rila – the heavenly patron of Bulgaria. He is the most beloved saint in Bulgaria and is revered even beyond the borders of this country. We associate..
The history of the largest Bulgarian church in Bulgaria from the National Revival period "The Assumption of the Virgin Mary" in the town of Pazardzhik is long and interesting. It is assumed that the first church there was built in the 17th century. It..
Rain
Cloudy
Overcast, rain
Mostly Cloudy