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

In Bulgarian folklore St. Elijah is master of hail and storms

Photo: pravoslavie.bg

On July 20, Orthodox Christians mark the day of St. Elijah. Bulgarians call this holiday Ilinden and in folklore traditions St. Elijah is seen as a saints who is master of hail, thunder, and lightning.

In folk tales the saint has a chariot of fire and as he rides in it he chases a dragon (“lamya”) that feeds on the wheat in the fields. Perhaps, this notion is connected with the miracle of his departure from the earthly world as it is said that St. Elijah was taken in a chariot of fire and brought alive to heaven.

A beautiful song from the repertoire of Daniel Spasov and Milen Ivanov tells about the supernatural powers of "Old Saint Elijah".


Editor: Albena Bezovska



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

The Annunciation – the promised God's love is fulfilled

The Feast of the Annunciation is the day when God's promise for the salvation of the human soul from the eternal torments of darkness is fulfilled. Its message is that God loves us, says Father Bozhidar Marinov from the "Exaltation of the Holy Cross..

published on 3/25/25 6:05 AM

‎March 22 is a holiday in Veliko Tarnovo – a day to honor the glorious past of Bulgaria's medieval capital

Veliko Tarnovo is proud of its glorious past, encoded in the city’s holiday, associated with the day of the Holy Forty Martyrs – the spiritual patrons of Bulgaria's medieval capital. On the day of the 40 followers of Christ (March 22 according to..

published on 3/22/25 11:05 AM
Deisis, 1557, from Bachkovo Monastery

The treasures of the National Church Historical and Archaeological Museum in Sofia showcased in a new book

The book "Icons from the National Church Historical and Archaeological Museum" - a huge work of over 500 pages, with more than 700 published photographs and accompanying scientific articles, was officially presented a few days ago. The unique..

published on 3/19/25 5:05 AM