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

Bulgarians celebrate Saint Nicholas Day

Photo: Ani Petrova, BNR

On December 6, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker known in Bulgaria as Nikulden. Saint Nicholas is believed to be a patron of the seas, sailors and fishermen and is one of the most revered saints in Bulgaria and throughout the Christian world. 


Many churches in Bulgaria have their patron's day today. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of St. Nicholas with a festive holy liturgy and consecration of fish dishes for the health and blessing of the faithful.


December 6 is also considered a day of bankers and merchants. 

Nikulden is the official day of the city of Burgas, as citizens have chosen the saint as their heavenly patron. 

More than 186,000 Bulgarians bearing the names Nikola, Nikolay, Nina, Nikolina, Nikoleta and others are celebrating their name day.



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

Veliko Tarnovo welcomes the Resurrection of Christ in Tsarevets Fortress

Citizens and guests of Veliko Tarnovo are to welcome the Resurrection of Christ in the Tsarevets Fortress. The gates of Tsarevets will be opened at 10:30 p.m. on Holy Saturday and an hour later an Easter service will begin in front..

published on 4/19/25 4:11 PM

Students raise money for victims of the fire in Kočani with charity bazaar

Traditionally, on the eve of the Easter holidays, the children from the "Tsar Simeon the Great" school in the village of Ivanyane near Sofia organised a charity bazaar with handmade souvenirs, sweets and drawings. They raised the..

published on 4/19/25 12:49 PM

Egg dyeing workshops take place hours before Easter

Various events are held across the country hours before we welcome the Resurrection of Christ. In Sofia, the "It's Up to Us" Foundation invites children to a "Big Easter Egg Dyeing" from 11:00 to 15:00 at Canyon Park in Mladost 3..

published on 4/19/25 11:22 AM