Commemoration of the departed
Memorial Saturdays (Zadushnitsi)
In the Bulgarian Orthodox tradition, three principal days of communal remembrance of the departed are observed: the Saturday before Meatfare Sunday, the Saturday before Pentecost (known in Bulgaria as Chereshova Zadushnitsa, or Cherry Memorial Saturday) and the Saturday before the feast of the Holy Archangels, commonly called St Michael’s Day.
Why these Saturdays matter
These days are set aside for prayer and remembrance of the departed. The Church's commemorations are centred on prayer and participation in the liturgical life of the parish; local customs may vary.
Dates in the Church calendar
For year-specific dates, use the Bulgarian memorial-day calendar. The Bulgarian date module has not yet been translated into English; it is linked as a Bulgarian-language resource rather than displayed as if it were English.
Calendar rules are checked against publications and the calendar of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church – Bulgarian Patriarchate. This is an independent English editorial explanation, not an official translation of a Patriarchate publication.