Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 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

Photo: The Bulgarian Orthodox municipality

Father Ivan from Rome: Bulgarians welcome the bright holiday of May 24 with immense spiritual joy

The biggest celebration of the Day of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian alphabet, education and culture and of Slavic literature - May 24, outside the borders of Bulgaria, is traditionally held in Rome. Every year, on the eve of..

published on 5/23/24 8:25 AM
Peter Bogdan Bakshev, painted by Vasil Goranov

Presentation of the historical manuscript by Petar Bogdan at the Bulgarian Presidency

A reproduction of Petar Bogdan's manuscript "On the Antiquity of the Fatherland and on Bulgarian Affairs" - the first treatise on the history of Bulgaria, written almost a century before the famous "Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya" (Slav-Bulgarian..

published on 5/21/24 7:45 AM

Bulgarian State Delegation brings Bulgarian symbols of peace and spiritual unity to the Vatican 

Every year, on the eve of the Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Bulgarian alphabet, enlightenment, culture and Slavic literature - May 24 - a Bulgarian delegation led by the President of Parliament or the Head of State is received by the Pontiff of..

published on 5/21/24 6:15 AM