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

Epiphany blessing of Bulgarian Army battle flags

Photo: BGNES - library

Today at 11.00 in front of the Monument of the Unknown Soldier in Sofia the traditional Epiphany Blessing of the battle flags of the Bulgarian Army takes place. The ritual will be attended by the Minister of Defense Krassimir Karakachanov, the Ministry of Defense reported.

For the first time blessing of the flags with holy water took place under the rule of Tsar Simeon I in 917 before the battle with the Byzantines at the Aheloy River. Since then, water consecration was performed before each battle of the Bulgarian army until the fall of Bulgaria under Ottoman rule.

After the Liberation, the tradition was restored by the first Minister of War of the Principality of Bulgaria, Pyotr Parensov, and lasted until 1946. After the democratic changes, the ritual was restored once again in 1993.



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

Calin Georgescu

Balkan developments

Far-right Georgescu banned from Romanian election by final ruling Romanian far-right populist Calin Georgescu will not be allowed to stand in Romania's presidential elections in May. His candidacy has been cancelled by the Central Election Commission...

published on 3/14/25 2:07 PM

Foreign Minister Georgiev: Middle powers should play greater role in international relations

The mission of middle powers is to play an increasingly important role in global affairs and to help shape a new multilateralism based on collective action to address global challenges. This was the key message of Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev at the..

published on 3/14/25 1:38 PM
Europe motorway

EU-funded road projects frozen, funding redirected to other projects

EUR 87 million under the operational programme Transport Connectivity, earmarked for the Russe-Veliko Tarnovo motorway is being redirected to the Europe motorway, connecting Sofia with the border with Serbia. Almost EUR 500 million for the..

published on 3/14/25 11:53 AM