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

Today is Petkovden, the day of St Petka

Photo: BGNES

On 14 October, he Bulgarian Orthodox church honours Saint Paraskeva, also called St. Petka of Tarnovo.

The icon of Saint Petka depicts a pretty young woman in a nun’s habit, or in royal attire, with a cross in her left hand and with her right hand at her chest. The icon is usually life-size, and sometimes St. Nedelya or St. Anastasia of Tarnovo are depicted next to her. Patriarch Euthymius of Tarnovo is author of one of the most famous passionals of St. Petka.

In the Bulgarian folk calendar, Petkovden marks the end of the active farming season. To mark the day, ritual loaves of bread are baked, and the table is laden with mutton, soup, leek stew and stuffed sarmi.

Find out more about St. Petka:



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

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil meets with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Thessaloniki

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Thessaloniki, the Bulgarian Patriarchate announced.  The two discussed the centuries-old spiritual ties between the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Orthodox..

published on 9/29/25 1:32 PM

September 22, 1908: Bulgaria breaks free from Ottoman rule

On September 22, 1908, Prince Ferdinand I proclaimed Bulgaria’s independence in a manifesto, formally establishing the Third Bulgarian Kingdom. The location was chosen with care: the Church of the Forty Martyrs in the old capital, Veliko Tarnovo,..

published on 9/22/25 6:05 AM
The public has a rare opportunity to see the original Panagyurishte Gold Treasure at the History Museum in Panagyurishte.

Panagyurishte Gold Treasure – the original – is back in Panagyurishte

From 16 September, the History Museum in Panagyurishte will be hosting the original Panagyurishte Gold Treasure. The priceless find will be displayed in the museum’s secure vault hall, where it can be seen until October 23. The treasure will be on..

published on 9/16/25 8:05 AM