Bulgaria Marks the Day of St. George the Victorious and Armed Forces Day (update)

On 6th of May, Bulgaria marks the Day of Saint George the Victorious.

The public holiday is also known as Gergyovden and is one of the most celebrated name-days in the country.

St. George is the patron saint of shepherds and roasting a whole lamb is part of the tradition on this day.

6th of May is also the Day of Valour and the Bulgarian Armed Forces. It was made an official holiday with a decree of Knyaz Alexander of Bulgaria on 9th of January 1880. During the Communist regime the holiday was cancelled, but it was reinstated in 1993.

This year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic the traditional military parade was cancelled. The Day of Valour was marked with a flypast of helicopters and aircraft of the Bulgarian Air Force. They conducted a low flying performance over Alexander Nevsky Square in the capital city of Sofia from 9.55 to 10.45.

20-gun salute was fired while the national anthem was played.

Bulgaria’s President and Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian armed forces, Rumen Radev, inspected the guard of honour.

The blessing of the Bulgarian military flags and the flags and banners of the sacred places of the Bulgarian Army was held in front of the Monument to the Unknown Soldier at 9.30. Bishop Gerasim of Melnik, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church gave the blessing.

After the blessing of the Colours, President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Rumen Radev, Vice President Iliana Iotova, outgoing Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov and the Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov laid wreaths at the Monument to the Unknown Soldiers to honour the fallen for the freedom and independence of Bulgaria.