“So we see again that in the simplest ways we just have to strive to do nothing apart from Christ, and we do that merely by saying “Lord, be with me as I perform this task; help me in this task. Lord, I’m anxious about this meeting or exam that is coming up; will You calm my soul? Will You help me to trust in You, to rely on You?” And we pray in this way always offering thanks to God, acknowledging that what we have comes from Him.”

(Homily from the ‘Burning Bush’ monastery journal)

On February 10, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the day of St. Haralambos the Martyr, who is also worshipped as patron of all beekeepers, gardeners and fruit-growers. The faithful light candles with jars of honey during a holy mass for the “sanctification of honey” at the “Presentation of the Blessed Virgin” cathedral church in the town of Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. Honey is consecrated and then all the bread is coated with it. The rest of the honey is kept in the house as a remedy.