Orthodox Catholic Church

In a solemn tribute to the dearly departed, Bulgarians observe All Souls' Day, or "Zadushnitsa," a day dedicated to remembering and praying for the souls of lost loved ones. This sacred tradition, deeply rooted in the Orthodox Christian faith, brings families together in a day of remembrance, reflection, and respect for those who have passed.

Α calendar reminder shone up on Danai Deligeorges' phone on Thursday evening: "Wedding," the message said. She turned, smiling, to her partner Alexia Beziki. "Are you ready?" Beziki asked, before the couple kissed and started to prepare.

Backlash from the Orthodox Church of Greece against a landmark law allowing same-sex civil marriage intensified Tuesday, with a regional bishopric imposing a religious ban on two local lawmakers who backed the reform.

Greek LGBT+ couples were preparing to tie the knot on Friday, one day after a historic parliamentary vote made same-sex civil marriage legal, the culmination of decades of campaigning for equal rights.

Archbishop Ieronymos, the leader of the Orthodox Church of Greece, supposedly took a relatively soft stance on the issue of same-sex marriage.

Trifon Zarezan, also known as Vintner's Day, is a cherished Bulgarian national holiday celebrated on February 14th, coinciding with Saint Valentine's Day. While Saint Valentine's Day is widely associated with romance and love, Trifon Zarezan holds a unique place in Bulgarian culture, honoring Saint Tryphon, the patron saint of vineyards, winegrowers, and gardeners.

Lawmakers begin a debate Wednesday on a landmark bill to legalize same-sex marriage that would make Greece the first Orthodox Christian country to do so.

The Valentine's Day session in parliament follows vocal opposition and protests from the church but also a shift in public opinion which - while still divided - is narrowly supportive of the reform.

Saint Photios the Great was one of the Ecumenical Patriarchs of Constantinople in the middle of the 9th century, and his feast day is celebrated on February 6th. Together with other great spiritual leaders of the Church, he demonstrates through his writings and teachings that knowledge can be a powerful instrument for proclaiming and expressing the faith of the Church.

On February 1, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyr Tryphon, a revered healing saint. Traditionally, Bulgarians observed the symbolic spring pruning of vines on February 14, known as "Tryphon Zarezan" in honor of the saint. Folklore depicts Saint Tryphon as the guardian of vineyards, revered by winegrowers, winemakers, and innkeepers.

In 2019 the Greek Orthodox Patriarchs of Constantinople and Alexandria recognised the independence of the newly formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Since then, Moscow has attempted to undermine not only the Ecumenical Patriarchate, but also the Patriarch of Alexandria, which claims exclusive jurisdiction over Africa and accuses the Russian church of meddling in the continent.