Marian Advocations of Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, the majority Orthodox country, the Catholic Marian devotion is minority but firm, spread between the Latin rite (St. Joseph's Cathedral of Sofia, Rakovski) and the Byzantine-Bulgarian rite (Sofia's Sleep Cathedral), along with the highly venerated Marian Marian icons such as Bachkovo.
♪ Wonders and Marian anecdotes from Bulgaria
- The city of Rakovski, called the heart of Bulgarian Catholicism, hosted the Mass of First Communion presided over by Pope Francis in May 2019, precisely in the parish of the Immaculate Conception.
- Every Easter Monday, the icon of the Mother of God of Bachkovo is carried in procession and crowds of pilgrims come to the monastery in one of the country's greatest religious manifestations.
- In front of the icon of Bachkovo, considered miraculous by the Orthodox tradition, the faithful retain numerous exvotes in gratitude for the healing and favors attributed to the intercession of the Mother of God.
- The Nativity of the Virgin, on 8 September, is so loved by the Bulgarian people that it is named after Malka Bogoroditsa, the Little Mother of God.
Sofia
History of Marian devotion in Bulgaria
Bulgaria, a European country of Christian tradition, has a Marian history that reflects the vicissitudes of its national history. Devotion to the Virgin Mary has been a central element of popular piety, expressed in shrines, hermites and chapels that spatter its geography. Local Marian advocacy is a testimony to a faith that has accompanied the people through the centuries.
Although religious practice has decreased in the last decades, the Marian shrines of Bulgaria remain places of pilgrimage and spiritual encounter. The Virgin Mary is venerated under various advocacy that reflect both the Latin tradition and the cultural influences of the country.
The diocese of Sofia and Plovdiv serves Latin rite Catholics in Bulgaria. The sanctuaries of Our Lady of Fatima in Rakovski, the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Sofia and the Cathedral of St. Louis in Plovdiv are important Marian centers. The sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in Varshets is a place of pilgrimage for the sick. Bulgaria has a tradition of Orthodox Marian icons, such as the icon of the Mother of God of Bachkovo, which are venerated by both Orthodox and Catholic.
Marian Advocations of Bulgaria
Sleeping of the Mother of God (Greek-Catholic Cathedral of Sofia)
The Bulgarian Byzantine Catholic Church is a sui iuris Eastern Catholic Church, in communion with Rome, which follows the constantinopolitan liturgical tradition and uses the ecclesiastical Slavus.
"Our Lady, Sleep of the Mother of God (Greek-Catholic Cathedral of Sofia), pray for us.
Our Lady of the Rosary in the Cathedral of San José de Sofia
The first church of San José in Sofia, built in the 19th century, was destroyed by the bombing of World War II.
"Our Lady of the Rosary in the Cathedral of St. Joseph of Sofia, pray for us.
Sleeping of the Mother of God (Targovishte)
The Church of the Sleeping of Mary is located in Targovishte, in the old town of Varosha, and is dedicated to the advocation of the Sleeping or Transit of the Mother of God.
"Our Lady, Sleep of the Mother of God (Targovishte), pray for us.
Immaculate Conception of Rakovski
Rakovski, formada por varios núcleos de población mayoritariamente católica (General Nikolaevo, Sekirovo, Parchevich), es descrita frecuentemente como el «corazón» del catolicismo búlgaro.
"Our Lady, Immaculate Conception of Rakovski, pray for us.
Mother of Dios of Bachkovo (Orthodox icon)
The monastery of Bachkovo, near Asenovgrad, is one of the oldest and most venerated in Bulgaria, founded in the 11th century by the Byzantine commander of Georgian origin Gregorio Pakourians.
"Our Lady, Mother of God of Bachkovo (Orthodox icon), pray for us.
Assumption of Mary of Plovdiv, Catholic Cathedral of Bulgaria
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary of Plovdiv, built in 1858, is the mother church of the Bulgarian Catholicism of Latin rite. Its neoclassical facade houses an image of the Virgin of the Assumption.
"Asunción de Maria de Plovdiv," pray for us.
Our Lady of Fatima of Rakovski, Marian shrine of Bulgaria
The shrine of Our Lady of Fatima of Rakovski in southern Bulgaria is the most important Marian pilgrimage center in the country. Thousands of faithful come every May 13 for the procession in honor of the Virgin.
"Our Lady of Fatima of Rakovski, pray for us.
Immaculate Conception of Sofia, venerated in the Cathedral of Sofia
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Sofia, built in 1889, is the seat of the Bishop of Sofia and Plovdiv. It provides an image of the Immaculate Conception donated by Pope Leo XIII.
"Immaculate Conception of Sofia, pray for us.
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