Epiphany in Bulgaria (06/01)

Epiphany or Yordanovden (Baptism) — is one of the most revered holidays in Bulgaria and the third most important Christian holiday of the year, it is celebrated on January 6. It is believed that on this day the Lord Jesus Christ was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Therefore, on this day people with the names Jordan, Jordan, Bogdan, Bogdana, Dancho, Dana, Nayden celebrate their name day.

The holiday is closely related to water and swimming in cold water. It is believed that the water on this day is purified and acquires greater strength. After serving in the temple, the priests, at the head of a crowded crowd, go to the nearest river or reservoir, where they are scheduled to throw a cross into the water. This exciting spectacle attracts not only believers, but also crowds of onlookers. Young men usually prepare to take the cross out of the water. It is believed that the one who is the first to take the cross thrown by the priest out of the water will have success and health all year long. Another belief says that if the cross freezes in the water, the harvest will be crowned with glory.

The girls also take part in this holiday in their own way. Even before sunrise, they go to a well or to a stream to pour themselves «baptized» water. By the stream they wash the house icon and their faces.

In the Rhodopes there is also a tradition on this day of throwing newlyweds into the water (those couples who got married last year) so that they are charged with health for the whole year. Throwing into the water is carried out by special people — haskars. If there is no river nearby, then the ritual is performed at a spring or well.

People call the holidays Epiphany and Midsummer Day «Water» due to its connection with water.

This day also marks the birthday of the great son of the Bulgarian people, Hristo Botev, whose short but bright life played a huge role not only in the struggle of the Bulgarian people for freedom, but also in Bulgarian literature, history, and culture.

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