(11 Feb 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria – 10 February 2025
1. Person holding jar of honey and candle during mass for the ‘sanctification of honey’ at the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin church
2. Various top shot of believers lighting candles attached to honey jars
3. SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Ralitsa Petkova, 42, beekeeper:
++PART OVERLAID BY SHOTS 2 & 4++
"In Southwestern Bulgaria, this holiday is especially revered. Here, honey from the previous day is consecrated in the shape of a cross. The honey, blessed in honour of St Haralambos, the patron saint of beekeepers, is kept in the home throughout the year, used for healing ailments, and considered sacred."
4. Close of candles
5. Mid of priest surrounded by faithful
6. SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Peter Stefanov, Orthodox Priest:
++PART OVERLAID BY SHOT 7++
"According to legend, St Haralambos treated his severe wounds with honey brought by his Christian followers. This gave rise to the belief that he is the patron saint of beekeepers
7. Wide of honeypots and candles arranged in shape of cross
8. People taking jars of honey
9. SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Ralitsa Petkova, 42, beekeeper:
++PART OVERLAID BY SHOT 8, 10 & 11++
"Protecting bees is crucial for maintaining the bio-balance and the stability of our ecosystem. Their survival directly impacts the health of our planet and food supply. Few people realize that 80% of the food on our table exists thanks to bee pollination. To produce fruit, a flower must first be pollinated by a bee, allowing the embryo and fruit to develop. This makes the protection of bees crucial. As Albert Einstein famously warned, ‘If bees disappear, humanity will have no more than four years left to live"
10. Various of cross made of honey jars
11. Ralitsa Petkova getting her honey jar after the mass
STORYLINE:
The worshippers at the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Blagoevgrad have come to give thanks to St. Haralambos (also spelt Charalambos).
In Bulgaria he’s believed to be the patron saint of beekeepers and his feast day is celebrated each February, 10.
Also known as the ‘Lord of all Illnesses,’ the worshippers pray to him to protect their homes and health.
But bees and the honey they produce are central to this religious service.
Priests enter the church, wafting the heady smell of incense from a censer.
At the centre of the Mass is a table shaped like a cross, packed with jars of honey and candles.
One by one, each of the candles is lit, their flames illuminating the church.
Priests bless the honey, praying for protection and health.
"According to legend, St Haralambos treated his severe wounds with honey brought by his Christian followers. This gave rise to the belief that he is the patron saint of beekeepers", explains Orthodox Priest Peter Stefanov.
According to tradition, after returning home from church, women would prepare a special meal for the family: bread covered with honey to keep disease away.
Many Bulgarians believe in the healing powers of honeybee products.
Beekeeping has long been a tradition in the country; there are more than 12,000 beekeepers in Bulgaria.
The tradition of beekeeping has been passed down generations in Ralitsa Petkova’s family.
"In Southwestern Bulgaria, this holiday is especially revered. Here, honey from the previous day is consecrated in the shape of a cross. The honey, blessed in honour of St Haralambos, the patron saint of beekeepers, is kept in the home throughout the year, used for healing ailments, and considered sacred," she says.
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