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

Orthodox Christians celebrate Day of Saints Constantine and Helena

Photo: Radio Varna

Today Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria celebrate the Day of Saints Constantine and Helena. It was Emperor Constantine, who in 313 issued an edict proclaiming Christianity as legal religion in Byzantium.

In Bulgaria marking this holiday is characterised by combination of Christian and pagan rituals. The Day of Saints Constantine and Helena is also the day of fire-dancers.

In villages in Strandzha Mountain one can see the ancient ritual of fire-dancing or 'nestinarstvo' performed, with people dancing barefoot on glowing embers holding an icon of the saints above their head.



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

Sunshine, temperatures will rise to above 30 Celsius on Thursday

On Thursday the weather in Bulgaria will be sunny, in the afternoon over the mountainous areas with insignificant cumulus clouds. There will be a weak, in the eastern regions to moderate wind from the south-southeast.  Temperatures will rise and..

published on 8/20/25 7:35 PM

Bulgaria is represented in an art project at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport

Magura Cultural Center is participating in the art project ''Irenwe Wa: she speaks the regular way'', created as part of the Terminal 5 expansion at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. ''This installation highlights the voices of immigrant..

published on 8/20/25 6:09 PM

Rosen Zhelyazkov and Yulia Svyrydenko discuss Ukraine's EU integration

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov held a video conference with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. During the meeting, Rosen Zhelyazkov reaffirmed Bulgaria’s unwavering support for Ukraine in the context of the war. He recalled that..

published on 8/20/25 5:44 PM