The Orthodox Church glorifies Holy Saturday as the most blessed seventh day, when the Word of God rests as a dead man in the grave, but at the same time saves the world.
Laid in the tomb, the spirit of Jesus Christ is in Hades to break its chains and reopen heaven's doors.
On Holy Saturday, the church service begins early in the morning and continues until the end of the day. Thus the last Saturday chants merge with the resurrection chants and end with the most solemn "Christ is risen!"
The Easter service at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral will be led by the temporary head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa, because of the recent passing of Patriarch Neophyte. The holy fire, brought from Jerusalem last year, will be used for the services.
Holy Saturday is also the last day to dye Easter eggs.
On 19 October, Bulgarians commemorate St Ivan Rilski, also known as St John of Rila, who is considered the country’s heavenly protector. He founded the Rila Monastery, which is the largest and most influential spiritual centre in Bulgaria. Ivan..
Father Genadiy Martinov is a Bessarabian Bulgarian, born in the village of Devetliy, Odessa province (Ukraine). Two centuries ago, his family lived in Eastern Thrace, near Edirne, but after the end of the Russo-Turkish War (1828–1829), during a period..
An intact grave of a young woman dating to the beginning of the 2nd century AD has been discovered by archaeologists near the village of Kapitan Petko Voivoda, Topolovgrad Municipality announced. The team that made the discovery is led by Daniela Agre..
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