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On Archangel All Souls' Day believers honour the dead and give alms

Photo: BGNES

There are three special days on the calendar of the Bulgarian Orthodox church, on which believers pray to God and give alms to honour the memory of their dear departed.

The three All Souls’ Days always fall on the Saturdays before Meat Shrovetide (the second Sunday before Lent), Pentecost and Michaelmas. Archangel's (Michaelmas) All Souls' Day is also known as male All Souls’ Day because it is also dedicated to the fallen soldiers. To commemorate the dead, boiled wheat is prepared which symbolizes death and the resurrection to eternal life. Food is handed out to the poor, and for forgiveness of the sins of the deceased.

Compiled by Darina Grigorova
Photos: BGNES



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