Honeyed Blessings: Commemorating St. Charalampius in Orthodox Tradition
Today, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church pays homage to St. Charalampius the Miracle Maker, commemorating his steadfast faith and miraculous deeds
The Bulgarian Orthodox Churchy honors Friday the memory of the Venerable Anthony the Great, on the holiday called Antonovden.
Anthony was born in about 250 AD in Egypt. During his life he spent 20 years in complete solitude in the desert. Sick and suffering people came to him for help.
At the alleged age of 104 he entered into an open dispute with supporters of the doctrine of Arianism and defeated them. His success is called the Triumph of Christianity.
The following year Anthony died and was buried in a secret place. Later his relics were re-discovered and officially transferred to Vienna.
In the popular calendar Antonovden is celebrated as a Saint helping prevention of diseases.
On this day, women do not spin or knit, do not boil beans or lentils since it is believed they might provoke the onset of plague or smallpox.
Traditionally, they knead sour roundbread, coated with molasses, to give to relatives and neighbors for health. One loaf is to be left in the attic "for the ache, for the aunt," in other words, the plague.
In folklore, twin brothers Anton and Atanas were blacksmiths who first invented the blacksmith tongs.
Therefore Antonovden and Atanasovden (January 18) are also celebrated as the holiday of blacksmiths, ironmongers, cutlers and farriers.
Names being clebrated today include: Anton, Andon, Doncho, Antonia, Donka, Tony.
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
As of January 1, 2023, the European Union (EU) has a population of 448.8 million people. Germany is the most populous EU country, with 84.4 million residents (19% of the EU total),
Bulgaria is one of the nine EU member states that did not sign a declaration supporting the advancement of LGBTQ+ rights in Europe
On May 18, expect sunny weather with cumulus clouds forming after noon, leading to isolated rain showers in mountainous regions
The Ministry of Transport announced that the Civil Aviation Administration General Directorate has officially registered the eighth site designated for emergency medical assistance by air in Bulgaria
Over 60 museums and galleries across 25 regions in Bulgaria are taking part in the Night of Museums initiative
In the Varna "St. Anna" hospital, medical staff are fighting for the life of a woman seriously injured in an accident near Aksakovo
Sofia Airport's Terminal 3 Construction Set to Begin in Early 2026
COVID-19 Impact: Bulgaria's Grim Milestone as Highest Death Rate in EU