On February 14 the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the Assumption of Constantine the Philosopher who took the name of Cyril in monkhood. Cyril came from noble parents in Thessaloniki. He studied at the Magnaura School in Constantinople. Because of his accomplishments he came to be known as Philosopher. He was appointed tutor in philosophy and librarian at the Magnaura School.
Constantine secretly fled to the Olympus monastery in Asia Minor, where, together with his brother Methodius, created the Glagolitic alphabet and translated a number of religious books into Old Slavonic. Cyril died in Rome on February 14, 869 and was buried in the Church of St. Clement. Cyril and Methodius were proclaimed saints in the Middle Ages by both the Orthodox and the Catholic Church. On December 31, 1980, Pope John Paul II declared the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius co-patron saints of Europe.
In 1018, after half a century of struggle, the First Bulgarian Empire was conquered by Byzantium. Despite the many uprisings of the Bulgarians, the power of Constantinople lasted for nearly two centuries. In the autumn of 1185 or the..
On 19 October, Bulgarians commemorate St Ivan Rilski, also known as St John of Rila, who is considered the country’s heavenly protector. He founded the Rila Monastery, which is the largest and most influential spiritual centre in Bulgaria. Ivan..
Father Genadiy Martinov is a Bessarabian Bulgarian, born in the village of Devetliy, Odessa province (Ukraine). Two centuries ago, his family lived in Eastern Thrace, near Edirne, but after the end of the Russo-Turkish War (1828–1829), during a period..
On November 21, the day of the Presentation of Virgin Mary (or the Entry of the most Holy Theotokos into the Temple), the Orthodox Bulgarians also celebrate..
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