Orthodox Christians across Bulgaria Celebrate Feast of Assumption of the Virgin Mary

Bachkovo Monastery celebrates the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, August 15, 2025 (BTA Photo/Boyan Botev)

Sofia,

15.08.2025 16:48

(BTA)

Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on Friday. It was also the official holiday of Varna and Nesebar on the Black Sea, as well as the southwestern town of Kyustendil. Churches carrying the name of the Holy Virgin held services and festive events.

As part of the celebrations for the Feast of the Assumption, many worshippers in Bulgaria also venerate the icon of the Virgin Mary known as Troeruchitsa, or "She of the Three Hands" and Three-handed Theotokos. Deeply revered in the Orthodox tradition, the icon features a third hand - a symbol of a miracle attributed to the 8th-century theologian St. John of Damascus, whose severed hand was miraculously restored after fervent prayer to the Virgin. Today, the icon is seen as a powerful emblem of healing, protection, and divine intercession.

Patriarch Daniil officiated at a service in Kyustendil.

“Let us send a prayer to God that by His unknowable ways He may grant lasting peace and tranquility to this world,” the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil urged in Kyustendil. “Ukraine is going through difficult years, as are other places around the world—such as the Middle East, in Gaza. People endure great anxiety, suffering - some die from hunger, others from bombs and destruction. Let us pray that God, by His unknowable ways, may provide a path to lasting peace, to still this world, which is most disturbed by the sins of humankind - deceit, greed, lust for power, hatred. May God, by His great mercy, grant peace and support us all on the way to His Kingdom.”
The patriarch called on residents and guests of the town, by the example and prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, to be encouraged.

He thanked the local authorities for finally deciding to designate the Assumption Feast as an official holiday in Kyustendil. He also thanked Metropolitans Grigoriy and Joseph from the Republic of North Macedonia for being in Kyustendil for the feast and taking part in the patriarchal service at the Church of the Holy Assumption in town.

He said that the rector of the Church of the Holy Virgin in the Ukrainian town of Artsyz, Father Genadi Martinov, 14 years ago began constructing a temple complex incorporating three iconic Bulgarian churches: the Great Basilica in Pliska, the Golden Church in Preslav, and a 4th-century church in Nessebar. “The aim is to bear witness to the heritage of the people there and our unity in faith,” Patriarch Daniil said. “May our bonds of brotherly love and unity as Orthodox Christians be strengthened. Let all gather at the icon in the Church of the Holy Assumption in Kyustendil to venerate it and support—through prayer or however—continuing the construction of this complex.” A scale model of the temple complex, approximately 70 percent completed, was placed in the courtyard of the church in Kyustendil.

The service was attended by Kyustendil Mayor Ognyan Atanasov and Tourism Minister Miroslav Borshosh.

At Troyan Monastery

The Troyan Monastery of the Holy Assumption also celebrated its feast day on August 15. Worshippers from across Bulgaria gathered before the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary Troeruchitsa. Following a service held by the monastery’s hegumen, a traditional solemn procession was carried out with the miraculous icon from the monastery church to the place where, according to tradition, the icon’s first miracle occurred. Believers, monks, and official guests walked together to the locality called Mogilata, near the Troyan Monastery.

And in Varna

In Varna, the Municipal Council has declared August 15 a non-business day and organized a three-day cultural program with free admission to events. The day began with a service at the city cathedral, officiated by Metropolitan Yoan of Varna and Veliki Preslav, and followed by the raising of the national flag. The ceremony was attended by acting Mayor Pavel Popov, Labour and Social Policy Minister Borislav Gutsanov, Regional Governor Prof. Andriana Andreeva, Municipal Council Chair Hristo Dimitrov, MPs, representatives of institutions, and citizens. Earlier, a festive liturgy was held at the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The programme continues with music concerts, Sea Fest 2025 featuring demonstrations and training in marine sports, dragon boat races, sailing competitions for children, a prize raffle, and a concert.

/NF/