Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Church

Patron Saint of Beekeeper's Day in Bulgaria

(10 Feb 2017) Hundreds of Orthodox Christians gathered at the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Blagoevgrad, southwest Bulgaria, on Friday to observe the day of St Haralambos, a patron saint of beekeepers known as the lord of all illnesses.
Many prayed for an end to the harsh winter weather that has threatened honeybees and farm output.
Worshippers joined in a holy mass for the sanctification of honey during which small jars of honey with candles taped to them were placed on tables in the church to form a large cross.
A priest consecrated the honey, praying for protection and health.
Bee products like honey, propolis, pollen and royal jelly are said to have healing properties.
Apart from harvesting honey, the beekeeping industry is also focused on the irreplaceable ability of bees to pollinate crops.
Beekeepers in Bulgaria and across the world are worried about the decline in honeybee populations.


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Orthodox Christians observe holiday associated with bees and honey

(10 Feb 2012)
1. Wide top shot believers gather around candles stuck to jars of honey, arranged as a Holy Cross, during mass for the 'sanctification of honey' at the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin church
2. Mid shot people seen around their honey jars during the 'sanctification of honey mass, as priests seen reading prayers
3. Mid shot Orthodox priests seen trough candles as they lead a mass for 'sanctification of honey on St. Haralampus day
4. SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Orthodox Priest Peter, Presentation of the Blessed Virgin church:
Today our Holy Orthodox church marks the day of St. martyr Haralampus.
5. Close-up jars with honey, with candles at people's names attached, during the beginning of a mass for sanctification of honey
6. Wide shot honey jars arranged on tables during the beginning of a mass on St. Haralampus day, woman seen in the foreground making cross sign
7. Close-up top shot jars with honey, with candles at people's names attached, during the beginning of a mass for sanctification of honey
8. Close-up candles on honey jars
9. Wide top shot jars arranged on table forming the Holy Cross, during the beginning of mass
10. Mid shot people light candles stuck on the top of honey jars
11. Close-up people light candles, hands as they prepare for the 'sanctification of honey'
12. Various top shots Orthodox priests reading prayers for the 'sanctification of honey'
13. Close-up hands holding candle
14. Mid shot priest and choir member sing during a mass
15. Close-up icon depicting Virgin Mary seen during the mass in the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
16. Wide shot Orthodox Priest Andon leading the holy mass during the day of St. Haralampus
17. Mid shot priest reading prayers for a holy mass to mark St. Haralampus day
18. Wide shot elderly woman holding candle and praying during mass
19. SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Orthodox Priest Peter, Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
Today's mass is initiated by the people who live in the town. It's their personal demand to come and receive the blessing for their honey and for themselves.
20. Close-up people seen through candles as they light the candles attached to the jars of honey
21. Close-up candles extinguished at the end of the mass
22. SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Elena Yordanova, Worshipper:
On St. Haralampus day each year it's a big tradition here for us to bring honey to the church to be sanctified with special prayers.
23. Wide shot people in front of Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
24. Wide shot woman leaves Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
STORYLINE
Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria observed a holiday traditionally associated with bees and honey on Friday.
It was the Day of St. Haralambos, a patron saint of beekeepers, who also is known as the lord of all illnesses.
Believers pray to him to protect their home and health.
Hundreds went to the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Blagoevgrad to observe the holiday.
Many prayed for an end to the freezing weather that has threatened honey bees and farm output in the Balkan country of 7.4 million, where some 80 percent of the people are Orthodox Christians.
Beekeepers were among those who joined in a holy Mass for the sanctification of honey.
The worshippers also placed small jars holding honey and lit candles on the floor of the church to form a large cross.
A priest consecrated the honey, which people say has healing properties.
Honey bees across the world have been declining in population for various reasons.
Beekeepers in Bulgaria expect many bees to die this winter due to the severe frost.


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Honey during a holy mass

Bulgarian Orthodox faithful light candles attached to jars of honey during a holy mass for the sanctification of honey at the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin church in the town of Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria, 09 February 2018. Honey and beehives are sanctified by performing a ritual for health and rich harvest. On St. Haralambos Day, sick or blind people go to church and pray for healing. According to traditional concepts, St. Haralambos is the lord of all illnesses, especially the plague. Doing any housework is strictly forbidden that day, because of the fear of any coming illness. Women are only allowed to bake round bread and decorate it with a cross in the middle and a large wreath at the edge for health. Honey is consecrated in the local church and then all the bread is coated with that honey. The rest of the honey is kept in the house as a remedy. According to the belief, St. Haralambos blesses the land and it gets warmer and ready to be cultivated

Annual festival to pray for bees and good honey production

LEADIN
Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria are observing a traditional religious holiday associated with bees and honey.
On the Day of Saint Haralambos - the patron saint of beekeepers - worshippers head to a church where they light candles on jars of honey and pray for protection and health.
STORYLINE
Hundreds come to the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin church in Blagoevgrad, to observe the Day of St. Haralambos, who's also known as the Lord of all Illnesses and pray to him to protect their homes and health.
During the special mass, worshippers light candles, place them on small jars containing honey, and arrange these in the church to form a large cross.
A priest then consecrates the honey, which some people here say contains healing properties.
Orthodox Priest Peter explains the origins of the Day of St. Haralambos.
The story tells that St. Haralambos was tortured to renounce his faith in Christ, in the Redeemer, and was repeatedly subjected to torture in the dungeons of the ancient Roman Empire, under the rule of Emperor Septimius Severus, he says.
Devoted Christians brought St. Haralambos honey and he applied it to his wounds and thanks to his faithful prayers God miraculously healed him and so his body and soul were protected.
People have adopted St. Haralambos as a patron of beekeepers and I wish on this wonderful day to all who come here with faith to honour the memory of Haralambos with their prayers, to be blessed by God in their daily activities.
Church employee, Adelina Stefanova, says the sanctification of the honey service gives hope to many.
Everyone brings home his sanctified honey jar with the hope in the miracle of nature to help.
With the strong belief that people feel on this day they hope to cure their children, their parents, heal themselves and the people who are sick.
Honey bees across the world have been declining in population due to various causes.
In Bulgaria, beekeepers associate heavy bee die-offs with severe winter winter.
The Day of St Haralambos is observed on February 10.


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Dostoyno est Mixed choir Alen mak

Composed by Alexander Tekeliev; Performed by Mixed choir Alen mak at Cultural club Nikola Vaptsarov Blagoevgrad Bulgaria; Conductor Hristo Velev

#CMB2016 // Plovdiv - Bulgaria

The 23rd edition of Concours Mondial de Bruxelles took place in Plovdiv, Bulgaria from April 29 - May 1, 2016. The location provided the unique opportunity to discover the wide array of Bulgarian wines and the rich cultural heritage of Plovdiv, European Capital of Culture 2019.
Over 8750 wines from 51 countries competed in 2016.

For more information about the competition visit: concoursmondial.com

Четвърти лекционен тур с Лъчезар Бояджиев - 22.10.2016

ВЪВЕДЕНИЕ В СЪВРЕМЕННОТО ИЗКУСТВО - СОФИЯ, 2016
ЛЕКЦИОННИ ТУРОВЕ С ЛЪЧЕЗАР БОЯДЖИЕВ

Четвърти лекционен тур - 22.10.2016
Тема на маршрута: Музея през „прозореца“ на града

На 22 октомври, се състоя последният четвърти лекционен тур от „Въведение в съвременното изкуство“, 2016 в София. Този път „обиколката“ на града бе на закрито – а именно в музея - Квадрат 500. Там участниците видяха колекцията през погледа на Лъчезар Бояджиев, който въз основа на конкретни произведения говори за града.

Лъчезар Бояджиев за последния четвърти лекционен тур:
Музеят през „прозореца” на града – ще ходим из Квадрата, но ще го гледаме през снимки от града!
Какво е съвремие и съ-временно? (Contemporaneity and con-temporary?)
Какво е „образ на времето”, който внушава един музей?
Какво е „експозиция” в града за разлика от експозицията в музея?
Защо градът и музеят не могат един без друг?
Защо София не е Скопие, и никога няма да бъде, въпреки че на онези, които „инвестират в идентичност” много им се иска?
Защо Квадрат 500 не е Лувъра и никога няма да бъде?
Защо въведението в съ-временното изкуство всъщност зависи изцяло от Вас?
Между другото ще стане дума и за:
- опакото на пространството;
- град и село;
- религия и бохема;
- идеология и форма;
- художници и бълдъзи;
- фотография и скулптура;
- живопис и днес.

Повече за Лекционните турове с Лъчезар Бояджиев и образователната платформа „Въведение в съвременното изкуство“:

„Въведение в съвременното изкуство“ е проект на фондация „Отворени изкуства“ и галерия SARIEV Contemporary.

Проектът „Въведение в съвременното изкуство“ 2016 – София е финансиран от Столична програма „Култура“ на Столична община за 2016 г.

С подкрепата на награда „Гауденц Б. Руф“
Партньор: Национална художествена галерия
Медийни партньори: @BG on Air, Виж София, егоист, Timeart.me, Stand.bg, Artnewscafe Bulletin

Камера и монтаж: Калин Серапионов

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„Въведение в съвременното изкуство” е проект на Фондация „Отворени изкуства” и Галерия SARIEV Contemporary.

Проектът „Въведение в съвременното изкуство” 2016 – София е финансиран от Столична програма „Култура” на Столична община за 2016 г.

С подкрепата на награда „Гауденц Б. Руф”.

Партньори: Национална художествена галерия

Медийни партньори: Виж! София, Timeart.me, Stand.bg, artnewscafé бюлетин, егоист.