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 the feast of the Dormition of Saint Ivan Rilski, the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil led the Divine Liturgy at the Rila Monastery. On the eve of the feast, he bowed before the relics of the patron saint of the Bulgarian people..
Today, August 18, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the Dormition of St. John of Rila – the heavenly patron of Bulgaria. He is the most beloved saint in Bulgaria and is revered even beyond the borders of this country. We associate..
The history of the largest Bulgarian church in Bulgaria from the National Revival period "The Assumption of the Virgin Mary" in the town of Pazardzhik is long and interesting. It is assumed that the first church there was built in the 17th century. It..
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