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

We celebrate the Saints Constantine and Helena

Photo: BGNES

Roman emperor Constantine the Great (AD 306 to 337) introduced the Christian religion as official in the Byzantine Empire. His mother, Helena, discovered the cross on which the Savior was crucified and built several monasteries in the Holy Land. The discovery of the Cross is considered the most important event in the history of Christendom, and Emperor Constantine and his mother Helena were canonized as saints

In Bulgarian folk customs, the feast intertwines the traditions of Christianity with pagan traditions of dancing on live coals - the Nestinari dance.  It is preserved to this day in some areas, in its original form. In many places it is also performed as a show for tourists.

Preparations begin a few days before the holiday. Donations are collected for a common kurban soup, as well as for cleaning and maintaining the springs and wells in the village. A large pile of firewood is prepared in the village square. It is lit in the evening of the feast and, as everyone gathers around the huge fire, musicians begin to play ritual melodies. When the fire dies down, the embers are scattered in a circle. Horo chain dances are danced around it, with the icons of St. Constantine and St. Helena at the head. 


Into the circle of glowing embers enter the barefoot dancing Nestinari, who are most often women. It is believed that they fall into a trance state in which they can utter words of prophecy. Their ritual dance lasts for several minutes. 
 After the games of the Nestinari, everyone gathers at the communal table with the prepared kurban.

Read also:
Photos: BGNES,BTA


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

Museum of Archaeology in Burgas displays pipes and tobacco from Medieval Bulgaria

Pipes from the end of the 17 th , the 18 th and the 19 th century and the tradition of growing tobacco in Bulgaria are presented in the newest exposition at the Museum of Archaeology in Burgas. “Pipes like this are to be found often on the..

published on 4/5/25 8:30 AM

Who is Marko Totev and why his name became a byword for bad luck

In Bulgaria, when we talk about a person with bad luck, we often say: "Ah, what a Marko Totev!" But who exactly was Marko Totev, and how did his name become a byword for a person with ill fortune and a bad luck? "He was a Bulgarian public figure..

published on 4/1/25 8:56 AM

Life as a string of Ramadans – Muslims in Bulgaria celebrate Bayram

30 March marks the end of the most blessed time of the year, as Muslims call the month of Ramadan. This year it started on 1 March, and the most important obligation Muslims have during this 30-day period is to refrain from food, drink and temptation..

published on 3/30/25 8:15 AM