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

Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates the beheading of St. John the Forerunner

Photo: archive

On August 29, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates the death of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist - on this day the saint was beheaded. For the Church of Christ, Saint John the Forerunner is the greatest among the prophets, and therefore his memory is honored six times a year. On September 23 the church celebrates the Feast of the Conception of the St. John the Baptist, on June 24 it marks the Nativity of John the Baptist, on August 29 - his beheading. On September the church celebrates the Feast Day of the Synaxis of John the Baptist. On February 24 it marks the first and second finding of the honorable head of Saint John the Forerunner. May 25 marks the third finding of the honorable head of Saint John.

On this day, the Church has designated a strict fast, without oil, as a sign of solidarity with the martyrdom of the saint. On this day, as a sign of sympathy for the sufferings of the saint, by analogy with his spilled blood, fruits and vegetables with a red color - watermelons, apples, tomatoes - are not eaten. People should not drink red wine, either.

In the folk calendar, the day is called Seknovenie because of the belief that on this day summer is "cut", day and night are "cut" - they become equal in duration. The water and the weather are starting to get colder. 




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

‎March 22 is a holiday in Veliko Tarnovo – a day to honor the glorious past of Bulgaria's medieval capital

Veliko Tarnovo is proud of its glorious past, encoded in the city’s holiday, associated with the day of the Holy Forty Martyrs – the spiritual patrons of Bulgaria's medieval capital. On the day of the 40 followers of Christ (March 22 according to..

published on 3/22/25 11:05 AM
Deisis, 1557, from Bachkovo Monastery

The treasures of the National Church Historical and Archaeological Museum in Sofia showcased in a new book

The book "Icons from the National Church Historical and Archaeological Museum" - a huge work of over 500 pages, with more than 700 published photographs and accompanying scientific articles, was officially presented a few days ago. The unique..

published on 3/19/25 5:05 AM
Monument to Monsignor Francesco Galloni in Lodetto di Rovato

Italian bishop Francesco Galloni dedicates his life to the poor and orphans of Bulgaria

A humble military chaplain made his first contact with Bulgaria in 1921, arriving with the mission of searching for Italian soldiers who had disappeared without a trace during World War I. However, he did not remain indifferent to the fate of this small..

published on 3/15/25 8:35 AM