Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria prepare for Epiphany

Photo: Iva Antonova

On January 5, on the eve of Epiphany, Holy Liturgy and water blessing are performed in Orthodox churches across Bulgaria. People often call the ritual “Voditsi”. This holiday closes the cycle of the so-called "dirty days" that start on December 25. They are called "dirty" or "unbaptized" because it is believed that the newborn Jesus had not yet received Holy Baptism. The meaning of the ritual is to cleanse the earth of otherworldly beings through the power of the Cross and to prepare the world for the great baptism that is to come. At the service the priest drops the cross into holy water. Then he goes around the homes to sprinkle them for protection against bad things and diseases.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

National Park-Museum

The region of Petrich where history comes alive

The town of Petrich is picturesquely located at the foot of one of the most beautiful and still untouched by tourism mountains - Ograzhden and Belasitsa. The area around the southwestern town has been inhabited since ancient times, as..

published on 5/8/24 1:05 PM

The World of the Thracians - a theme park for ancient history lovers

In the Valley of the Thracian Kings near the village of Shipka, where the most important burial tombs of the rulers of the ancient Thracian kingdom of the Odrysians, Kazanlak Municipality has opened the theme park "The World of the Thracians". The..

published on 5/7/24 3:05 PM

Easter Monday marks the beginning of the Bright Week

The second day of the Ressurection of Christ (Easter Monday) marks the beginning of the Bright Week, also known as Pascha Week and Renewal Week. The week is called bright, because the Resurrection of Christ symbolizes enlightenment. During the Bright..

published on 5/6/24 10:57 AM