On September 13 and 14th the Orthodox Church celebrates the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, which is one of the greatest Christian holidays, celebrated with special solemnity. In Bulgaria it is widely known as Krastovden. On this significant day for Christians, back in 335 AD Christians bowed for the first time before the Cross of God found by Queen Helena in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem. For the Orthodox world, the day is one of the four Christian holidays of the year, in which pilgrimage to holy places takes place.
In Bulgaria, every year, on September 14, thousands of believers from the country and abroad gather for the vigil at Krastov Peak hoping for healing and receiving God's support. It is located in Krastova Gora (Forest of the Cross) in the central Rhodope Mountain. The "Holy Trinity" monastery complex was built in the area in 1956 and in 1995 a church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, was constructed. People say that a piece of the Lord's Cross, which Queen Helena gave to her son Emperor Constantine, is buried in the place where the mountain forms the shape of a cross. The area is famous for its healing power, which is testified by dozens of stories of people who have recovered from severe and incurable illnesses.
You can read more about the great holiday and Krastova Gora in the articles of Radio Bulgaria:
English: Al. Markov
On November 15, the second longest fasting in the Bulgarian Orthodox tradition begins, which is preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. It is believed that, although it lasts 40 days, the Christ's Nativity fast is not as..
After the Russo-Turkish war of 1878, with the Treaty of Berlin, the Bulgarian ethnic land was divided. Northern Dobrudja was handed over to Romania, and Nis and Pirot regions - to Serbia. The Principality of Bulgaria, a vassal of the Ottoman Empire,..
The biggest holiday for Muslims, which marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, is Eid al-Adha. It begins in the evening hours of the day of Arife (June 27), when Muslims pay respect to their deceased relatives..
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy
Rain
Cloudy
Overcast, rain