On July 17, the Orthodox Church honors the Holy Martyr Marina. The Holy Great Martyr Marina was born in Asia Minor, in the city of Antioch of Pisidia. During the time of the persecution against the Christians under Emperor Diocletian, when she was fifteen years old, Saint Marina was arrested and locked up in prison. At the age of 16, she was martyred for her Christian Faith.
In Bulgarian folk beliefs, the saint is called the Fiery Marina and symbolizes the celestial fire. She is the patron saint of harvest, fields and sowing. The feast of the saint is on the third day of the so-called July "hot days". No housework is allowed during these days. On this day a bonfire is lit and people jump over the flames.
On the feast of the Dormition of Saint Ivan Rilski, the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil led the Divine Liturgy at the Rila Monastery. On the eve of the feast, he bowed before the relics of the patron saint of the Bulgarian people..
Today, August 18, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the Dormition of St. John of Rila – the heavenly patron of Bulgaria. He is the most beloved saint in Bulgaria and is revered even beyond the borders of this country. We associate..
The history of the largest Bulgarian church in Bulgaria from the National Revival period "The Assumption of the Virgin Mary" in the town of Pazardzhik is long and interesting. It is assumed that the first church there was built in the 17th century. It..
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