Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

1 January: The Bulgarian Orthodox church honours St. Basil the Great

Photo: Radio Vidin

On 1 January the Bulgarian Orthodox church marks the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ and St. Basil’s Day. January 1 is the day when the memory is honoured of influential theologian St. Basil the Great, who dedicated himself to pious and charitable work. 

Almost 127,000 Bulgarians named Vassil, Vassilia, Vassilena, Vesselin, Vessela etc., celebrate their name-day today. In Bulgarian folklore tradition, the day is called Vassilitsa and Survaki. The ritual of survakane is performed early in the morning as young boys make the rounds of the homes in the town or village, and tap the backs of family and friends with a decorated cornel twig (survachka) with wishes for health and prosperity.



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

Colder weather with rain and snow

Sunday will be cloudy. A cold atmospheric front from the west will bring rainfalls. In the western mountainous regions of Bulgaria, the rain will be mixed with snow. The lowest temperatures will be between 2° and 7°C; in Sofia –..

published on 3/1/25 6:35 PM

Bulgarian flag flies on a 21-meter pylon near Etropole

At a ceremony in the presence of President Rumen Radev, the Bulgarian flag was raised on a 21-meter pylon in the Zvezdata area near Etropole. “Today, we all raise our voices that in a time of division for the world, we will..

published on 3/1/25 3:51 PM
Patriarch Daniil

Liturgy served in memory of Patriarch Neophyte

A requiem liturgy has been served in the St. Nedelya cathedral on the occasion of the first anniversary of the death of Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte. He became patriarch on February 24, 2013. “We know and remember Patriarch..

published on 3/1/25 3:02 PM