ПРОГРАМИ
en de ru fr es sr gr al tr ro
Podcast in English
Share
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarians across the country take out the cross on Epiphany

Photo: BTA

On January 6, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is marking Epiphany. According to the Bible, on this day John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. Traditionally, a festive Epiphany liturgy is held in churches, water is blessed, and then the priests throw the cross into a body of water. According to legend, men participate in the taking out of the cross, and whoever catches it will be healthy throughout the year.

In Sofia, this happened on the lake in Druzhba district, and the cross was saved by 24-year-old Nikolay Dimitrov. 40 men took part in the ritual, the youngest of whom was 18 years old, and the oldest - 84 years old, Focus news agency reported.

Kalin Uzunov from Burgas holding the Epiphany cross
In Burgas, Russians and Ukrainians gathered in the largest church in the city to pray for peace on today's Epiphany holiday. The cross was traditionally thrown from the Bridge near the Sea Casino, and was retrieved by 18-year-old Kalin Uzunov, BNR correspondent Daniela Kostadinova reported.

In Silistra, the cross was thrown into the waters of the Danube and was retrieved by 23-year-old student Galin Stoev.

43-year-old Onnik Tarakchiyan, an Orthodox Christian of Armenian origin, saved the cross on Epiphany in Pernik. The holiday began with a procession from the central Pernik church to the lake in the town park.

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.
Radio Bulgaria History and religion    Epiphany Epiphany cross

More from category

Life as a string of Ramadans – Muslims in Bulgaria celebrate Bayram

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..

published on 3/30/25 8:15 AM
The Bulgarian Cathedral

God's grace flows into the Bulgarian cathedral in Berlin

Nearly 40 years ago, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Communities (BOCC) in Western and Central Europe were concentrated in several cities. After our country joined the European Union and with the growth of the Bulgarian diaspora, the Bulgarian church..

published on 3/25/25 2:43 PM

The Annunciation – the promised God's love is fulfilled

The Feast of the Annunciation is the day when God's promise for the salvation of the human soul from the eternal torments of darkness is fulfilled. Its message is that God loves us, says Father Bozhidar Marinov from the "Exaltation of the Holy Cross..

published on 3/25/25 6:05 AM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
Overcast, rain
Min: 9 | Max: 13
Overcast, rain
Min: 9 | Max: 13
Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 14
Overcast, rain
Min: 4 | Max: 15
Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 13
Overcast, rain
Min: 10 | Max: 15
Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 14
Overcast, rain
Min: 3 | Max: 15
Overcast, rain
Min: 10 | Max: 14
Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 12
Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 13
Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 14
Overcast, rain
Min: 10 | Max: 15
Overcast, rain
Min: 6 | Max: 10
Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 14
Overcast, rain
Min: 11 | Max: 14
Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 15
Overcast, rain
Min: 6 | Max: 16
Overcast, rain
Min: 5 | Max: 16
Overcast, rain
Min: 9 | Max: 15
Overcast, rain
Min: 4 | Max: 9
Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 11
Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 15
Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 15
Overcast, rain
Min: 10 | Max: 14
Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 16
Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 15
BULGARIA IN PICTURES
Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?
Yasen Gyuzelev
Theodore Ushev
Christo Javacheff - Christo
Ilia Peikov
Lika Yanko

BULGARIANS ABROAD

Български English Русский Deutsch Српски Français Ελληνικά Español Shqip Türkçe Română
MOST VIEWED

Life as a string of Ramadans – Muslims in Bulgaria celebrate Bayram

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..

published on 3/30/25 8:15 AM

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

Общи условия за използване на сайта | Политика за поверителност | Политика за "бисквитки"