Summary
In Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, on St. Haralambos Day, February 10, Orthodox priests gathered at the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to bless honey jars and pray for bee protection amid concerns over chemical use and climate change impacts. Rumen Gavrilov, a 69-year-old beekeeper, attended these prayers each year. St. Haralambos is revered as the patron saint of beekeepers and associated with miraculous healings. This tradition has been observed annually in Bulgarian churches across the country since February 10, when honey is blessed during special Orthodox liturgy. Beekeeping remains a significant part of Bulgarian culture, though challenges like pesticide use and climate change threaten their numbers. The event drew several dozen attendees to express gratitude for St. Haralambos’s protection.
Key Topics
Bulgaria, Beekeepers, St. Haralambos
