Bishop Bossilkov Remembered as Bulgaria Sees Mild, Windy Weather
Bulgaria commemorates the 1952 execution of Catholic Bishop Eugene Bossilkov, along with other historical milestones, while mild but windy weather is forecast for November 12.
Illustration: AI-generated image
Bulgaria on November 12 remembers the life and death of Catholic Bishop Eugene Bossilkov, who was executed by the communist regime in 1952, while the country also marks other historical milestones and enjoys mild autumnal weather with strong winds in some areas.
Bishop Bossilkov, born Vincent Bossilkov on November 16, 1900, was ordained a priest in 1924 and became bishop of the Diocese of Nicopolis in 1947. Following a trial by the People's Court in September and October 1952, he was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad at Sofia Prison on the night of November 11–12, together with priests Kamen Vitchev and Pavel Djidjov. In 1999, Bulgaria's Supreme Court of Cassation overturned the death sentence, and on March 15, 1998, Pope John Paul II beatified Bossilkov.
November 12 also marks other events in Bulgarian history. In 1897, a naval force was established in Varna by decree of Prince Alexander of Battenberg, laying the foundations for the Varna Naval Base. In 1945, the Higher School of Technology was set up in Ruse, and in 1960, the Higher Institute of Medicine (today's Medical University) was established in Varna. More recently, in 2001, a Bulgarian Eurobond issue sold out in just 10 minutes.
Internationally, the day is observed as the birth of Baha'u'llah, founder of the Baha'i Faith, and as World Pneumonia Day.
Meanwhile, weather forecasters from the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology predict relatively mild conditions for Thursday. A yellow warning for strong winds has been issued for 17 districts, with south-southwesterly winds bringing warmer air and daytime temperatures between 17°C and 22°C. Morning fog is possible in lowland areas, and skies will be mostly cloudy. In Sofia, temperatures are expected to reach around 18°C. Along the Black Sea coast, temperatures will range from 18°C to 21°C, with waves of 2 to 3 on the sea-state scale. In the mountains, it will be cloudy with moderate to strong west-southwesterly winds, and temperatures around 15°C at 1,200 metres and 9°C at 2,000 metres. Atmospheric pressure will fall below the November average.
