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

Day of holy martyr Zlata Maglenska - patroness of Bulgarians around the world

Photo: bg.wikipedia.org

On this day, Orthodox Christians pay homage to the Holy Great Martyr Zlata Maglenska. She lived during the Ottoman rule in the second half of the 18th century and sacrificed herself for her faith in Christ.

Zlata Maglenska was born in a poor Bulgarian family in the village of Slatino, Maglenska Diocese - today within the borders of Greece. She was a beautiful, but humble girl, known for her piety and pure heart. One day a young Turk kidnapped her, demanding that she renounce her faith, convert to Islam and marry him. However, the girl remained adamant, even when her family was threatened with death.

Zlata Mаglenska was tortured for a long time. Finally, she was hanged and her body cut into pieces. With a soul purified in suffering, she presented herself before the Lord on October 18, 1795.


Saint Zlata Maglenska is declared a great martyr and is revered throughout the Orthodox Christian world.
Following a proposal of the historian Prof. Plamen Pavlov, since 2009 Saint Zlata Maglenska has been chosen as the heavenly intercessor of Bulgarians abroad. 

The Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad has established an award for Bulgarian Woman of the Year in her name, which is awarded to Bulgarian women who have contributed to the preservation and development of the national consciousness and cultural identity of the Bulgarian communities around the world.

Translated and published by Rositsa Petkova


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

Attending the Plenary: The dedication and patriotism of the first MPs

On 16 April 1879, the deputies of the Constituent Assembly debated, approved and signed Bulgaria’s first constitution, the Tarnovo Constitution. This document established the legal basis for the establishment of the new Bulgarian state following the..

published on 11/10/25 5:56 PM

Saint Michael the Archangel who leads the army of angels against the forces of darkness

8 November is celebrated as the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel. According to church legend, Archangel Michael commands the whole army of angels in the fight against the forces of darkness, and during the second coming of the Son of God, he will..

published on 11/8/25 9:00 AM

All Souls Day is an expression of our love for the souls of the departed

In today’s world, where material values overshadow the spiritual, reflections on the salvation of souls somehow remain in the background. The constant race against time and the stream of daily tasks muffle the voice of the soul, which struggles to..

published on 11/1/25 5:10 AM