Religion and spirituality
Articles and news about faith, religious traditions, spiritual practices, and cultural heritage.
Spiritual Patrons: Two Saints in the Orthodox Calendar
On June 26, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the venerable David of Thessalonica and David of Bulgaria, reminding through worship and prayers of their spiritual feat and monastic life.
The birth of John the Baptist and Eniovden - a double holiday for Orthodox Christians
On June 23, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, which coincides with the national holiday of Eniovden on June 24. In many parishes, special services, prayer readings, and the blessing of medicinal herbs associated with the traditional practices of Eniovden will be held.
An American priest offers marriage in front of the relics of St. Ivan Rilski.
During a pilgrimage trip to the Rila Monastery, the American Orthodox priest Timothy made an unusual romantic gesture - a marriage proposal to his future presbytera. This added a personal moment to the otherwise strictly spiritual atmosphere of the liturgy led by Bishop Clement.
The Parliament defends the unique status of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church
The National Assembly adopted legislative amendments to preserve the exclusive status of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church - Bulgarian Patriarchate (BOC-BP) as the sole legitimate representative of Eastern Orthodoxy in the country. This decision came in response to a court ruling that allowed the registration of the Bulgarian Orthodox Old Calendar Church, creating a risk of multiple registrations of "Orthodox" organizations.
The government is increasing funding for the restoration of religious sites in rural areas.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food announced improvements in the intervention to preserve the spiritual and cultural life in rural areas. Priority will be given to monasteries, and the maximum amount of eligible expenses has been increased from 300,000 to 400,000 euros. A list of religious sites that will receive priority funding is to be published.
Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria welcome the Petrov Fast for spiritual purification.
From June 18 to June 28, Orthodox believers in the country will go through the Petrov fast - the second longest fasting period after the Great Lent. It aims for spiritual renewal and preparation for the feast of St. Apostles Peter and Paul.
The three holy saints Leontius, Hypatius, and Theodulus are honored in Orthodox churches.
On June 18, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates the memory of the holy martyrs Leontius, Hypatius, and Theodulus. Solemn liturgies and water blessings are held in various dioceses, where the faithful honor the lives and example of these defenders of the Christian faith.
Citizens and clergy insist on the introduction of a new subject "Virtues and Religion" in schools.
Thousands of parents, students, and representatives of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church gathered on June 16, 2025 in Sofia to demand the inclusion of the elective subject "Virtues and Religion" in primary and secondary education. The initiative includes a petition with over 20,000 signatures and a procession organized by civic and religious organizations.
The Patriarch blessed a large Orthodox procession in Sofia for the family and the faith.
The Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel and the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church blessed and supported the "Great Family March" organized by Orthodox organizations in Sofia. The event included a solemn water blessing and a march with thousands of participants, which upheld traditional values and the family.
Pomorie welcomes the Feast of the Holy Virgin Mary with a rich musical program.
The Orthodox Church is celebrating today the feast of the Holy Mother of God - It is Truly Meet. In Pomorie, the event is marked with a solemn liturgy and the opening of the XXI International Festival of Orthodox Music, which will continue until the end of the day.
Pope Leo XIV calls on Putin for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
The Supreme Pontiff held a first meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which they discussed the humanitarian situation and the exchange of prisoners of war. The Pope called on Russia to take steps to achieve peace through dialogue and the establishment of positive contacts between the countries.
The Aheloy celebrates Ascension Day with a solemn folklore festival
The Orthodox Church and the residents of Medovo and Acheloio celebrated the Ascension of the Lord. In Acheloio, the day began with a solemn liturgy, followed by the traditional kurban and the folklore gathering "Spasovden". The event was opened by the local mayors and municipal councilors, and over 150 performers were evaluated by a jury.
The Diocese of Sliven prohibits the use of Orthodox symbols in the nestinarski games
The Sliven diocese published a position that categorically prohibits the nestinarstvo games from starting from an Orthodox temple and using icons or other Christian relics. The diocese emphasizes that this custom has nothing to do with the Bulgarian tradition and represents a borrowing of pagan rituals from the Far East.
Spiritual leaders bless Nessebar for the start of the tourist season.
High representatives of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, including four metropolitans and three bishops, celebrated a solemn holy liturgy in Nessebar to bless the city and its residents on the occasion of the beginning of the tourist season. The event was also marked by a concert of local amateur ensembles, as well as the planting of a symbolic tree in front of the Church of Christ Pantocrator.
Sliven Metropolitan Arsenius will award the winners of the national contest "God is love"
His High Priesthood the Sliven Metropolitan Arseny will award awards to the awarded students of the XXIII edition of the National Contest "God is Love". The ceremony will be held on May 16 in Burgas, and the participants are from different cities in the country.