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 eve of St Athanasius' Day, one of the churches on the outskirts of Sofia is already preparing to welcome His Holiness the Metropolitan of Sofia and Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil , who this year will celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the church in the..
Atanasovden, also known as Midwinter in our folk calendar, is a holiday on which the Orthodox Church and our folklore pay tribute to St. Athanasius the Great – Archbishop of Alexandria and a fighter against Arianism (church heresy which rejects the..
The only chapel in the country to bear the names of Saints Anthony and Atha nasius is in Sandanski, and its consecration will be performed by His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of Nevrokop, reports Andon Kotev - one of the initiators of the idea to..
Partly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy