Date and public holiday status
Archangel Michael’s Day, known in Bulgarian as Arhangelovden, is celebrated every year on 8 November. It is not a public holiday: it is a normal working day in Bulgaria.
The date falls on Sunday in 2026, Monday in 2027 and Wednesday in 2028. The church celebration has a fixed date, so its day and month remain the same each year.
Church and folk traditions
The church marks the Synaxis of Saint Archangel Michael and the other bodiless heavenly powers. Michael is the leader of the heavenly host who, according to the Bible, defeats the fallen angel. This is why he is depicted holding a sword or spear.
In Bulgarian folk belief, Archangel Michael takes the souls of those who are dying. The day is therefore also associated with remembrance of the dead. In many parts of Bulgaria, a zadushnitsa—a commemoration of the departed—is observed on the Saturday before the feast.
The Bulgarian police celebration
Archangel Michael is the patron saint of the Bulgarian police. Their celebration on 8 November was first observed in 1924. It was discontinued after 1943 and restored in 1994.
Names celebrated
The feast is also a name day, an occasion celebrating people with particular given names. Those celebrating include Mihail, Mihaela, Miho, Angel, Angelina, Angelinka, Gavril, Gabriela, Rafael and Rafaela, as well as people with related names.