Today, The Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saint John the Baptist, also known as Saint John the Forerunner, because he prepared people for the coming of the Savior. The day dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, known in Bulgaria as Ivanovden, is marked immediately after the Feast of Epiphany, in order to honor the Baptist, who performed the Divine baptism of the Son of God. Saint John proclaimed God's will and called people to repentance, as God had endowed him with the ability to see human sins. He baptized the repentant in the waters of the Jordan River, where they were freed from their sins to be reborn for a righteous life.
In Bulgaria, the ritual bathing in rivers and fountains, reminiscent of the baptism in the Jordan River, is still practiced in various places.
Regardless of the weather conditions, brave individuals wade into the icy waters of bodies of water blessed on Epiphany. In other places, people douse themselves with large amounts of ice-cold water, again for purification and to strengthen both the spirit and the body.
The festive table is abundant and includes all traditional Bulgarian winter dishes- bean soup, oshav (dried fruit compote), banitsa (cheese pie), grilled flat sausage, pork ribs with cabbage. etc.
Ivanovden - customs, rituals and beliefs that come with the feast
Festive rituals on Ivanovden (Saint John the Baptist’s Day) in Bulgaria
All who bear the names Yoan, Ivan and their derivatives celebrate their name day today. Nearly 350,000 people celebrate their name day on Ivanovden. This is why the feast is revered almost like a national holiday, as all Bulgarian families celebrate it in a due manner.
See also:
Published and translated by Kostadin AtanasovPhotos: BTA; BGNES
Pipes from the end of the 17 th , the 18 th and the 19 th century and the tradition of growing tobacco in Bulgaria are presented in the newest exposition at the Museum of Archaeology in Burgas. “Pipes like this are to be found often on the..
In Bulgaria, when we talk about a person with bad luck, we often say: "Ah, what a Marko Totev!" But who exactly was Marko Totev, and how did his name become a byword for a person with ill fortune and a bad luck? "He was a Bulgarian public figure..
30 March marks the end of the most blessed time of the year, as Muslims call the month of Ramadan. This year it started on 1 March, and the most important obligation Muslims have during this 30-day period is to refrain from food, drink and temptation..
Pipes from the end of the 17 th , the 18 th and the 19 th century and the tradition of growing tobacco in Bulgaria are presented in the newest..
+359 2 9336 661