Every year, on the first Saturday before the Day of Archangel Michael (8 November), Orthodox Christians mark Archangel All Soul’s Day, the last of the three All Soul’s days set down by the Christian Orthodox church. According to the canon, they all fall on a Saturday, a day set aside for our dear departed. After a divine service, a memorial service takes place at which believers pray for the souls of their deceased family members and relatives.
On the Friday before All Soul’s Day, Christians go to the graves of their loved ones where they clean, incense and put flowers on them. Finally, they pour red wine over the grave and light a candle as a symbol of the immortality of the soul. The incense on its part symbolizes pure prayer, the flowers – the virtues of the deceased. On Archangel All Soul’s Day people sit down to a shared meal that has to include seven different dishes (including the ones the deceased loved most). Food is given away on Archangel All Soul’s Day with the words “God rest”. Old people say if you see a fly or a butterfly come near you on this day, it is the soul of the deceased.
On December 9 the Orthodox Church celebrates the Conception of the Most Holly Theotokos by Saint Anne. Joachim and Anne were childless for a long time despite their righteous life. In addition to their personal grief, they also endured public..
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on December 6. He is called the saint of mercy because his entire life was dedicated to supporting the poor, the suffering, the innocent and the wronged. His words had an..
A group of Bulgarian scientists is leaving today for the Republic of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe . On the initiative of the Explorers Club Bulgaria, the researchers will research into the origins of Homo sapiens in these places. The..
Archaeological excavations in the Kaleto district of the Bulgarian town of Lom situated on the Danube River have revealed remains of Roman defensive..
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy
Clear