On December 27, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church venerates the memory of the first Christian martyr, Saint Stephen (Sveti Stefan in Bulgarian). As recorded in the life of the saint, Stephen was diligent in the church service, a model of mercy and patience. He was among the first seven deacons ordained by the first apostles. Like Christ and his disciples, he could work miracles by laying his hands on the sick and they were healed. He was one of the most zealous followers of the doctrine and with his words and deeds he converted more and more people to Christianity.
In Greek, the name Stephen means "wreath". It is believed that the name of the saint is a translation of the Aramaic Kelil (kelila - wreath, crown). According to legend, when the relics of the saint were discovered, a plaque with the name Kelil was found in the tomb, which leads many researchers to believe that this is the birth name of the saint.
St. Stephen is the patron saint of many Bulgarian churches, including one of the shrines of the Bulgarian struggle for church independence - the Iron Church "St. Stephen" in Istanbul.
The troparion performed in honour of St. Stefan on this day reads:
“Because of all you have endured for Christ our God,
you have been given a royal crown,
O First and Holy Martyr Stephen!
You have put your persecutors to shame
and have seen your Saviour enthroned
at the right hand of the Father.
Do not cease to intercede for the salvation of our souls.”
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 Petrov, mayor of the nearby village of Chargan, the Bulgarian news agency BTA reports. The..
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 their dear departed. The three All Souls’ Days always fall on the Saturdays before Meat..
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 of the flight was to deliver ammunition and materials to the German military units in a remote..
+359 2 9336 661