On July 17, the Orthodox Church honors the Holy Martyr Marina. The Holy Great Martyr Marina was born in Asia Minor, in the city of Antioch of Pisidia. During the time of the persecution against the Christians under Emperor Diocletian, when she was fifteen years old, Saint Marina was arrested and locked up in prison. At the age of 16, she was martyred for her Christian Faith.
In Bulgarian folk beliefs, the saint is called the Fiery Marina and symbolizes the celestial fire. She is the patron saint of harvest, fields and sowing. The feast of the saint is on the third day of the so-called July "hot days". No housework is allowed during these days. On this day a bonfire is lit and people jump over the flames.
On the third day of Christmas, December 27, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates the memory of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. His name means "crown" or "wreath" and comes from the Greek "στέφανος" (stéphanos). It symbolizes victory..
At sunset on December 25, the Jewish community begins to celebrate Hanukkah. The holiday begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar and, depending on the year, can fall in November or December. By lighting 9..
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas with solemn services. The festive services began on Christmas Eve, when the church held a solemn vigil. Hundreds of laypeople gathered at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, where..
Partly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy