St. Martyr Boyan-Enravota, Bulgarian Prince

According to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church the life of St. Martyt Boyan-Enravota, Bulgarian Prince, was related to the Bulgarian’s Conversion to Christianity. The legend says that during one of the invasions of khan Krum (802-814) in Byzantine the scientist of Byzantine Kinam was captured. The son and successor of khan Krum – khan Omurtag (814-831) noticed the influence of Kinam over the khan’s sons. He tried to make Kinam take part in a idol-sacrificial ritual. Kinam definitely refuse to do so, and he was imprisoned for many years. When Malamir (831-836) – the youngest son of Omurtag, ascended the throne he was asked by his brother Enravota to free Kinam. Malamir granted Kinam to be slave of Enravota. Soon, the prince Enravota converted to Christianity in secret, being influenced by Kinam, and accepted the name Boyan. When Malamir became aware of that fact he tried to make Boyan-Enravota renounce the foreign god. But the Prince positively refused and he was beheaded about 833. He died after making a prophecy that soon the Christianity would be adopted throughout Bulgarian lands and the Christ would be everywhere. Soon Malamir died, and his son Presian (836 - 852) succeeded him. And his son Boris (852 - 889) adopted the Christianity (856) and the name Mihail and baptized all the Bulgarians. And so the prophecy of Boyan-Enravota came true. Beside these facts nothing else is known for the prince – no one knows where his tomb or his relics are. He is remembered on March 28.
Today Boyan and Albena celebrate their names.