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

Day of St. Elijah – the most widely venerated saint in Bulgaria

On 20 July, Orthodox Christianity honours St. Elijah the Prophet

Teteven Monastery St. Elijah
Photo: BGNES-archive


Born in the 10th century BC, a descendent of Aaron, he was abstemious in food, humble in clothing and strict with himself and with others. His life was filled with miracles which started in his childhood years. Legend has it that his father had a vision in which gentle men talked to the child Elijah, swaddling him in fire and suckling him on fiery flames. The priests interpreted the vision thus: the Grace of God shall come upon him, his word shall be like fire, strong and powerful, his life shall be pleasing to the Lord. The name Elijah means the Lord’s fortress.

Having fought against idolatry and the massacre of prophets, in which King Ahab and his wife were most vicious, the prophet approached the king and said: “As surely as the Lord lives, no rain or dew will fall during the next few years unless I command it.” And he “locked” the skies for three years and six months. Ahab wanted to kill Elijah but the Lord told him to go and hide by a brook not far from the River Jordan and sent ravens to bring him food.

St. Elijah Church in the village of Selishte, Blagoevgrad region. The patron's icon above the church entrance

The last miracle worked by St. Elijah is the way he passed from this world – the only one among God’s chosen ones. When the day came he was with a disciple, the prophet Elisha. A chariot of fire appeared, with horses of fire, in which the holy prophet was taken up to the sky.

In folklore the St. Elijah tradition is connected with the idea that the prophet is the master of summer storms and thunder.

Which pagan deities he was once believed to be connected with, what traditional beliefs and legends there are about the saint – find out here





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