Religion and spirituality
Articles and news about faith, religious traditions, spiritual practices, and cultural heritage.
May 21 – Day of Saints Constantine and Helena and the Nestinarstvo Festival
On May 21, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors Saints Constantine and Helena, and thousands of Bulgarians celebrate their name day. The day is associated with the veneration of the Holy Cross and the fire-dancing rituals of the Nestinari in the Strandzha region.
Patriarch Daniil held a prayer service for healthcare workers at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
On the occasion of International Nurses Day, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church offered prayerful support for medical professionals and expressed concern regarding staffing shortages.
Holy relics of St. George arrive in Bulgaria: Veneration schedules
The Sliven Metropolis is organizing a veneration of the relics of St. George the Victorious. See the full schedule for Pomorie, Sliven, Yambol, and Burgas from May 5th to 11th.
Metropolitan Nikolay: The Orthodox faith and the cross from Poibrene won our freedom
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the April Uprising, Metropolitan Nikolay of Plovdiv honored the memory of the heroes and the power of faith in Panagyurishte. See his speech.
The Right Hand of St. George the Victorious in Burgas: See the Commemoration Program
The light of the wonderworker: The Right Hand of St. George the Victorious will be received in Burgas on May 10-11. Find out when and where to pay your respects.
Procession with the Wonderworking Icon of the Theotokos from Bachkovo Monastery
On the second day of Easter, thousands of believers participated in a procession with the wonderworking icon of the Theotokos from Bachkovo Monastery to the area of Kluviyata. The event takes place annually to commemorate the place where the icon was hidden from Ottoman raids. The abbot of the monastery called for prayers and blessings.
The Holy Fire arrived in Bulgaria from Jerusalem
The Holy Fire arrived in Bulgaria, transported by a Romanian airline, due to the lack of a Bulgarian delegation in Jerusalem because of the situation in the Middle East. The Holy Fire will be handed over to the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel.
Holy Saturday: The Last Day of Holy Week and Preparation for Easter
Holy Saturday is a day of preparation for Easter, associated with religious rituals and customs. People visit cemeteries, dye eggs, and prepare for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Good Friday: The Significance of the Saddest Day for Orthodox Christians
Good Friday is the day of Christ's crucifixion, the most solemn day of the year for Christians. Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel speaks about the meaning of this day, about humility and salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus.
Bulgarian delegation will not bring the Holy Fire from Jerusalem this year
The Holy Synod has decided not to send a delegation for the Holy Fire due to the situation in the Middle East. Metropolitan Kiprian calls for faith and humility.
Patriarch Daniel serves liturgy on Holy Thursday, traditional egg dyeing
On Holy Thursday, Patriarch Daniel served a liturgy and will bless children for the traditional egg dyeing in Sofia. The events of the Last Supper are commemorated.
Holy Week: The Last Week of the Life of Jesus Christ
Holy Week, preceding Easter, is a period of reflection and suffering. The key events of each day are described, including the betrayal of Judas, the Last Supper, the crucifixion, and the burial of Jesus.
Palm Sunday: Patriarch Daniel leads liturgy in “St. Alexander Nevsky”
On Palm Sunday, Patriarch Daniel will celebrate a liturgy in “St. Alexander Nevsky”. Celebrations in the country's churches. History of the holiday, the icon, the meaning of the willow branches. Beginning of spiritual preparation for Holy Week.
Orthodoxy in the city: rites, holidays and new meanings in contemporary Bulgaria
In contemporary Bulgarian cities, Orthodoxy remains a visible part of identity - from Easter queues for candles to name days and family rituals, but the way urban people live faith, tradition and holiday is changing.
Andrey Gyurov and Iliana Yotova Congratulated the Jewish Community on Passover
Caretaker Prime Minister Gyurov and President Yotova met with representatives of the Jewish community on the occasion of Passover, discussing the values of freedom and tolerance.