Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks Petkovden, the day of Saint Petka

published on 10/14/25 9:39 AM

Photo: BGNES

On October 14, the Bulgarian Orthodox church pays homage to Saint Paraskeva, also called St. Petka of Tarnovo and the day is known in Bulgaria as "Petkovden".

Saint Petka was born in the 11th century in the town of Epibat, on the Sea of Marmara, not far from Constantinople, in a rich Bulgarian family, we learn from the saint's biography. She led a pious life, following Christ's command of love and mercy to those in need, and after her death her holy relics became a symbol of the struggle to preserve Christianity from the assimilation of Islam.

In 1238 Bulgarian tsar Ivan Asen II carried the relics of the saint to the capital Tarnovgrad (today the town of Veliko Tarnovo - ed.), where they were preserved for nearly two centuries until the Ottoman conquest of the old Bulgarian capital. After two centuries of wandering, in 1641 the remains of St. Petka were laid to rest in the Metropolitan Cathedral in Iasi, northern Romania, where they continue to attract pilgrims from all over the world to this day.

Countless tales and legends tell about the miraculous healing powers of St. Petka, who is regarded as the patron saint of childbirth and fertility of both humans and animals.

In the Bulgarian folk calendar, Petkovden marks the end of the active farming season. To mark the day, ritual loaves of bread are baked, and the table is laden with mutton, soup, leek stew and stuffed sarmi.

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Edited by Rositsa Petkova

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Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks Petkovden, the day of Saint Petka

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