Holy Martyr Boyan, Prince of Bulgaria (+830)

The holy Martyr Boyan, Prince of Bulgaria (+830). When Boyan’s brother, the pagan Malamir (Vladimir), ascended the royal throne of Bulgaria, the prince asked him to set free the Christian Kinamon. Kinamon had suffered for a long time in prison for refusing to take part in idol-worship. The brother granted Boyan’s request. The prince asked the freed Kinamon why he had suffered. In a long conversation the learned Christian explained to the pagan prince the falsehood of idol-worship and the need for faith in Christ for salvation. At the end of the conversation Kinamon said: “Without Christ there is no light for the mind and no life for the soul. He alone is the Teacher and Saviour of mankind. If thou wouldst not perish, believe in Christ.” Prince Boyan was baptised with joy. The newly converted pious prince gave himself to fasting and prayer. Malamir demanded that his brother deny Christ and accept idol-worship. The holy prince answered unflinchingly: “I confess Christ, the true God. No one can separate me from the love of the Saviour.” Malamir passed sentence of death on his brother. Before his martyr’s end the pious prince foretold that Christianity would spread throughout Bulgaria, that Christian churches would be built, and that the idols and altars would be destroyed. And to his brother he said: “For thy cruelty thou shalt be punished with death.”

The holy martyr’s prophecy came true first of all on his own brother. Soon Malamir died. He left no heir, and so the elder brother Presian (+836–852) ascended the throne. Then Presian’s son, the holy Boris, Equal to the Apostles, in baptism Michael (commemorated 2 May), enlightened the whole Bulgarian people. So this prophecy of the holy Martyr Boyan too was fulfilled.