Abraham of Bulgaria

Holy New Martyr Abraham of Bulgaria, a Volga merchant who embraced Christ and was killed by his own people.

Abraham was a wealthy merchant of the Volga Bulgars, raised in Islam, who came to believe in Christ and was baptized. He became known for his generosity to the poor and for his open confession of the Christian faith among his countrymen.

Tradition relates that when he refused to return to his former religion he was tortured and beheaded in the thirteenth century. His relics were later carried to the city of Vladimir, where he has been venerated as a wonderworker.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Abraham of Bulgaria is commemorated on April 1. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on April 14 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on April 1

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  Mary of Egypt

  Holy Woman, Μαρία η Αιγυπτία

  Venerable Mary of Egypt, great penitent saint.

  Name days: Maria, Mary, Maro, Marianna, Marika, Mariam, Marie

• Makarios of Pelekete

  Venerable, Μακάριος ο Ομολογητής

  Venerable Makarios the Confessor, abbot of the Pelekete Monastery in Bithynia, who suffered exile for the holy icons.

• Gerontios and Basilides

  Martyr, Γερόντιος και Βασιλείδης

  Holy Martyrs Gerontios and Basilides, who were beheaded for their confession of Christ.

• Hermes and Theodora

  Martyr, Ερμής και Θεοδώρα

  Holy Martyrs Hermes and Theodora, brother and sister, who suffered together for Christ.

• Euthymius of Suzdal

  Venerable, Ευθύμιος Σουζδαλίας

  Venerable Euthymius, archimandrite and founder of the Saviour Monastery in Suzdal.

• Barsanuphius of Optina

  Venerable, Βαρσανούφιος της Όπτινα

  Venerable Barsanuphius, elder of the Optina Hermitage and former army officer.