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

Epiphany blessing of Bulgarian Army battle flags

Photo: BGNES - library

Today at 11.00 in front of the Monument of the Unknown Soldier in Sofia the traditional Epiphany Blessing of the battle flags of the Bulgarian Army takes place. The ritual will be attended by the Minister of Defense Krassimir Karakachanov, the Ministry of Defense reported.

For the first time blessing of the flags with holy water took place under the rule of Tsar Simeon I in 917 before the battle with the Byzantines at the Aheloy River. Since then, water consecration was performed before each battle of the Bulgarian army until the fall of Bulgaria under Ottoman rule.

After the Liberation, the tradition was restored by the first Minister of War of the Principality of Bulgaria, Pyotr Parensov, and lasted until 1946. After the democratic changes, the ritual was restored once again in 1993.



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

Prosecutor General Sarafov asks Parliament to lift the immunity of four MPs from Vazrazhdane

Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov submitted a proposal to the National Assembly to strip the immunity from four MPs from "Vazrazhdane" due to acts of vandalism during the protest in front of the European Commission building in Sofia. These..

published on 2/28/25 8:50 AM

Bulgaria marks international Rare Disease Day

At the initiative of the European Union of Patient Organizations for the Fight against Rare Diseases, on the last day of February, we focus on people living with a rare disease. Awareness campaigns are organized to raise public awareness of this issue...

published on 2/28/25 6:15 AM
There will be fog in the lowlands.

Friday will be overcast with showers

Friday will be mostly cloudy. Fog will cover the lowlands before midday. It will rain in some places, especially in southern Bulgaria. Minimum temperatures will be between 0 and 5°C, 2°C in Sofia, and maximum between 6 and 11°C, up to 17°C in the..

published on 2/27/25 7:55 PM