Today, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, known among Bulgarians as Petrovden. St. Peter's birth name was Simon and he was an ordinary fisherman from Galilee. After becoming one of the first disciples of Jesus, he received the name Peter. Saul (Savel) was a Jewish preacher and Roman citizen from Tarsus in Cilicia and was originally among the fierce persecutors of Christ's disciples. During a storm on the road to Damascus, Jesus appeared to him in bright light and Saul converted to Christianity, becoming Paul and spreading the religion in Asia Minor and the Balkans. Both apostles died in martyrdom on the same date - June 29 during the reign of Emperor Nero (64-68 AD).
Petrovden is a particularly important holiday in Bulgarian traditions. The holiday coincides with the beginning of summer and the height of the harvest season. According to Bulgarian folklore, the two apostles were brothers. St. Peter strictly guards the gates of Heaven and lets only the righteous souls in, while St. Paul is just and nice. According to folk legends, St. Peter was so strict that he did not allow even his own mother into Heaven because she was an evil woman. The holidays of St Peter and St. Paul follow one after the other. On June 30 Bulgarians celebrate St. Paul's Day, as the tradition exists in the region of Dobrudzha, in Eastern Bulgaria and the Rhodope region.
For the residents of the village of Teshovo, located on the southern slopes of the Pirin Mountain, the day of the Apostles Peter and Paul is much more special this year as the renovation of the chapel on the peak of "St. Peter” had been completed before the eve of the holiday. On Petrovden the local residents will hold a traditional tour across the village and a prayer for fertility and rain will be held. Finally, a liturgy will be served and festive meals will be served to believers.
On this day craftsmen in Bulgaria celebrate, as well as people named Peter or Pavel.
Editor: Darian Grigorova
English: Alexander Markov
Photos: library, Facebook /@teshovoThe Orthodox Church celebrates the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The holiday celebrates the miraculous finding of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. It is one of the 12 major Christian holidays of the year. When the cross..
Once upon a time, there was a remarkable neighbourhood where the construction of Old Sofia first took shape. Situated between the Royal Palace and the railway station, it was the main artery of the city - a hub of activity. This area was not only a place..
Vintage cars from the National Service for Protection (NSP) fleet are on display at the National History Museum from today until 15 September. The exhibition marks the 145th anniversary of the service. Visitors can see four rare vehicles preserved..
One frosty November morning in 1917, as World War I was raging, a Zeppelin L 59 took off from the air base near Yambol bound for Tanzania. The purpose..
There are three special days on the calendar of the Bulgarian Orthodox church, on which believers pray to God and give alms to honour the memory of..
Volunteers joined the efforts to clean and restore the monastery St. Spas near Bakadzhik peak. The campaign is being organized on 2 November by Stoimen..
+359 2 9336 661