Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours Day of Archangel Michael

On 8 November, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the day of the holy angels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salathiel, Jegudiel and Barachiel.

According to the Bible, the first of the angels was Archangel Michael, whose name means "Who is like God." The Archangel Gabriel ("power of God") is a herald of God's saving mysteries. Archangel Michael, Prince of Heavenly Host, stands closest to God.

People with the names of Angel, Angela, Angelina, Emil, Emilia, Gavrail, Gavril, Mila, Milko, Milen, Milena, Mihail, Mihael, Mihaela, Ognyan, Plamen, Plamena, Rada, Radka, Radoslav/a, Radostin/a, Rayko, Radko, Rayna, Rangel, Raya, Rafail, Rangel, Serafim celebrate their name day on November 8.

In an address on the occasion of the feast, His Holiness the Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte said:

"... Let us seek and pray for the angelic presence in our lives - in every day of our earthly life - and to follow the instructions of our guardians, so that with jealousy and zeal we may rejoice not only them but also ourselves. our Creator and Savior, and all His saints, who from Heaven, from the House of the Father, follow our ways and always intercede for us before the throne of God. Through the prayers of the holy archangel Michael and all the holy heavenly archangels, may God grant us His great mercy and His eternal salvation! Amen!"

November 8 is also a professional holiday of the Bulgarian police.