Meaning and traditions
On 15 August each year, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Dormition of the Mother of God. The feast commemorates her death and, according to church tradition, her ascent to heaven. “Dormition” means falling asleep: her death is understood as a peaceful sleep and a passage into eternal life.
In Bulgaria, the day is commonly called Golyama Bogoroditsa, meaning the greater feast of the Mother of God. This distinguishes it from Malka Bogoroditsa, the lesser feast, on 8 September. The celebration follows a two-week fast dedicated to the Mother of God, lasting from 1 to 14 August.
Pilgrimages and local celebrations
The Dormition is one of the most revered feasts in Bulgaria. Thousands of people make pilgrimages to monasteries dedicated to it, including Bachkovo Monastery and Troyan Monastery.
Many villages hold community gatherings with kurban, a ritual shared meal, and horo, traditional group dancing. The date is also Varna’s city celebration: its cathedral is named after the Dormition of the Mother of God.
Name days
Maria is one of Bulgaria’s most common female names, making this one of the most widely celebrated name days. Those celebrating include Maria, Mara, Mariyana, Mariana, Mario, Marian, Mariela, Marieta, Mima, Mimi and people with related names.
Public holiday status
The Dormition of the Mother of God is not a public holiday: it is a normal working day in Bulgaria. Its importance in church life and its many local celebrations do not make it an official day off.