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

Day of protomartyr St. Stephen

The third day of Christmas, 27 December, is marked as St. Stephen’s Day in Bulgaria. Orthodox Christians honour St. Stephen, the first martyr or protomartyr for the Christian faith and first archdeacon, stoned to death in the year 37 after an argument with Jewish notables.

Stefan, meaning “wreath” is one of the most popular names in Bulgaria. All people named Stefan, Stefka, Stoyan, Stoyanka, Ventsislav and their derivatives celebrate their patron saint’s day or name day. According to popular belief, St. Stephen’s day “completes the cycle” of the old year.



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

Exhibition showcases rare old-printed books and engravings from the library of the Rila Monastery

The exhibition “The Beauty of the Orthodox Spirit: Rare Old-Printed Books and Engravings from the Library of the Rila Monastery (16th–19th Century)” will officially open today at the Sts. Cyril and Methodius National Library, announced the Bulgarian..

published on 5/8/25 6:50 AM

Yellow code for dangerous rainfall in 13 regions of northern and eastern Bulgaria

On Thursday morning the rain will stop. Minimum temperatures will be between 8 and 13°C, in Sofia - 9°C. During the day, before noon, the rain will resume - more intense in the north of the country, where there will be thunderstorms and conditions for..

published on 5/7/25 7:05 PM
Solemn performance of the European anthem during the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, European Parliament, Strasbourg

Renew Europe calls for investigation of ties between MEPs of Bulgaria's Vazrazhdane party with United Russia

The agreement between Bulgaria's political party "Vazrazhdane" (Revival) and "United Russia" has raised questions and reactions, reaching the plenary hall of the European Parliament today . In addition to the Greens Group in the EP, Valérie Hayer, Chair..

published on 5/7/25 6:35 PM