Today is Arhangelovden, the day of Saint Michael the Archangel

The Bulgarian Orthodox church marks the day of St. Archangel Michael today, one of the most popular immovable Christian feasts. In Bulgaria it is also known as Arhangelovden. In popular belief, Archangel Michael – the angel closest to God – is seen as heaven’s chief guardian. It is thought that in the last hour of the human soul on Earth, Archangel Michael comes down to separate it from the mortal body. Memorial services and prayers for health and take place on this day at churches and monasteries bearing the name of the Archangel Michael.

Arhangelovden is also the professional day of the police. It was first marked as such in 1924, the tradition was then broken from 1944 until 1994.

Today is the name day of all people called: Angel, Angela, Gavrail, Mila, Milen, Milena, Mihail, Ognyan, Plamen, Plamena, Rada, Radka, Radoslav, Rayna, Rangel and their derivatives.