Bulgarians Celebrate St. Valentine's Day

[Kollyvas]

(Hopefully ALL Orthodox Slavs & their descendants will soon abandon the schismatic "calendar reform."--R)

http://directionstoorthodoxy.org/mod/ne ... le_id=7054

Bulgarians Meet Feast of Love and Wine
Sofia News Agency

Lifestyle: 14 February 2006

February 14, the day of the sweethearts, though a catholic holiday, has been welcomed in Bulgaria informally since the fall of communism some fifteen years ago.

Previously completely ignored by enamored Bulgarians, St Valentine's Day enjoyed escalating popularity over the years of Bulgaria's transition to Western-like lifestyle.

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages across catholic countries and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.

As lovers celebrate St Valentine's Day, many Bulgarians insist February 14 should be reserved for a traditional Bulgarian celebration - the feast of St Trifon "Zarezan," the patron of vine growing and wine producing.

At the St Trifon Zarezan day the Bulgarians pay tribute to the vine, grapes and wine.

The professional holiday of vine-growers and wine-makers has been officially celebrated since 1962. When the Gregorian Calendar was officially introduced by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in 1968, the church services moved to February 1, but the Day of Vine and Wine is still commemorated on February 14.

According to old traditions, the culmination is the moment of choosing the "king of the vines" - usually a diligent vine-grower, who is thus said to sweep all good luck.

[尼古拉前执事]

Here is the short martyrology from the Great Synaxaristes:

Martyr Valentine (St. Valentin / St. Valention) of Moesia in Bulgaria

The Martyrs Valentin and Pasikrates came from the city of Durostorum, Silistria in Moesia (now Bulgaria) and were soldiers under the governor Absolanus. Pasikrates was twenty-two years old, and Valentin was thirty.

When a persecution against Christians began, Sts Pasikrates and Valentin openly confessed their faith in Christ. At the trial Pasikrates spit at the idol of Apollo, and refused to offer sacrifice.

The brother of St Pasikrates wept and urged him merely to appear to offer sacrifice to the idols. The martyr placed his hand on the sacrifice in the fire and said, "The body is mortal and burns in the fire, the soul, however, is immortal and is not harmed by these torments." St Valentin also showed his readiness to suffer for Christ.

When they led the martyrs to execution, the mother of St Pasikrates followed them and exhorted her son not to fear death for Christ. Both martyrs were tortured and then beheaded in 288.

The Orthodox celebrate his feast on 12/25 April.

[Kollyvas]

http://www.mospat.ru/index.php?page=29684

Bulgaria plans to give official status to church marriage

Bulgarian government’s Directorate for Confessions prepares a draft law where the state will recognize church marriage. The first session on the question is to be held on February 22, ‘Blagovest-Info’ Information Agency reports with the reference to the ‘Monitor’ web-edition.

Among the participants are representatives of various ministries, clergymen of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and representatives of other recognized in the country religious associations. They plan to discuss amendments to the Constitution which are to give the same official status to the church marriage as to the marriage registered in the municipality.

The Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church supported the work of the commission and empowered two hierarchs – Metropolitan Hilarion of Dorostol and Metropolitan Neofit of Ruse - to preach church marriage among young people.