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

Christians in Bulgaria mark Day of St. Anne - patron of motherhood

Photo: library

On December 9, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Conception by Righteous Anna of the Holy Mother of God. The holy and righteous Joachim and Anne were childless for many years, despite their righteous and modest life. In many ancient cultures this was considered a punishment from God and a sign of accumulated sins, and this brought grief to Anne and Joachim. They constantly prayed to God for a child. One day, an angel appeared to Anne and informed her that she would give birth to "a daughter most blessed, by whom all the nations of the earth will be blessed, and through whom will come the salvation of the world." Hearing these words, she made a promise that she would dedicate the girl to God. When Mary was at the age of three Sts. Joachim and Anne took her to the temple to be dedicated to the service of the Lord.


According to Bulgarian folk traditions the day is called Aninden or Anyovden and the saint is considered the patroness of pregnant women, of motherhood and children, of marriage and the family, protector of virgins, widows and pregnant women.

Lenten dishes are served on this day because the holiday is marked during the period of Nativity Lent. Everyone with the names Anna, Anka, etc. also celebrate.


We offer you the folk song "Anche le" performed by Kaicho Kamenov - one of the most famous Bulgarian folk singers from the recent past.

Photos: library, Pixabay







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

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary cathedral in Sofia, part of the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church

Supreme Court of Cassation rules that the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church must be registered

T he Supreme Court of Cassation has given final judgement that the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church must be registered in the register of religious denominations. This isthe first time a second Orthodox church will be registered, the..

published on 12/27/24 9:32 AM
“The Virgin Mary” Arbanasi Monastery

Tracing Albanian ancestry in the Arbanasi architectural reserve

The Arbanasi architectural reserve near Veliko Tarnovo is one of the most popular tourist destinations . The medieval monasteries and churches, including the Church of the Nativity, are particularly attractive. The churches of Arbanasi are museum sites..

published on 12/27/24 8:55 AM

St. Stephen – the first Christian martyr

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..

published on 12/27/24 5:10 AM