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Orthodox Christians celebrate Day of Saints Constantine and Helena

Photo: Radio Varna

Today Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria celebrate the Day of Saints Constantine and Helena. It was Emperor Constantine, who in 313 issued an edict proclaiming Christianity as legal religion in Byzantium.

In Bulgaria marking this holiday is characterised by combination of Christian and pagan rituals. The Day of Saints Constantine and Helena is also the day of fire-dancers.

In villages in Strandzha Mountain one can see the ancient ritual of fire-dancing or 'nestinarstvo' performed, with people dancing barefoot on glowing embers holding an icon of the saints above their head.



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