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

The Slavic alphabet, created by Saints Cyril and Methodius, was written in Old Bulgarian

Every tree has roots. The bigger the tree, the deeper its roots. We are all united here in Southeast Europe. It is our saints that unite us, not divide us. This was stated in an interview with Radio Bulgaria by Prof. Konstantinos Nichoritis. A graduate..

published on 5/24/25 8:25 AM
Metropolitan Arseniy of Sliven

The Sliven Metropolis is opposed to the Nestinarstvo tradition

Metropolitan Arseniy of Sliven has spoken out against the nestinari (fire dancers), prohibiting them from using icons during their rituals. This announcement was made on the Sliven Metropolis's official website and Facebook page. In his statement,..

published on 5/21/25 2:15 PM
The Cyril and Methodius monument in front of the National Library in Sofia.

Scientists from 14 countries meet to discuss the legacy of Christian missions in the Middle Ages

An international scientific conference will be held in Sofia from 21 to 24 May, the days preceding the celebration of Saints Cyril and Methodius, announced the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). The conference, titled "Christian Missions in the European..

published on 5/21/25 9:10 AM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
Clear
Min: 15 | Max: 36
Clear
Min: 18 | Max: 30
Clear
Min: 18 | Max: 28
Clear
Min: 14 | Max: 37
Clear
Min: 22 | Max: 36
Clear
Min: 16 | Max: 37
Clear
Min: 14 | Max: 36
Clear
Min: 14 | Max: 34
Clear
Min: 16 | Max: 35
Clear
Min: 13 | Max: 35
Clear
Min: 16 | Max: 35
Clear
Min: 18 | Max: 37
Clear
Min: 15 | Max: 36
Clear
Min: 13 | Max: 31
Clear
Min: 18 | Max: 36
Clear
Min: 15 | Max: 36
Clear
Min: 18 | Max: 34
Clear
Min: 20 | Max: 37
Clear
Min: 20 | Max: 35
Clear
Min: 18 | Max: 34
Clear
Min: 15 | Max: 31
Clear
Min: 17 | Max: 33
Clear
Min: 14 | Max: 36
Clear
Min: 15 | Max: 34
Clear
Min: 15 | Max: 36
Clear
Min: 14 | Max: 35
Clear
Min: 15 | Max: 36
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

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

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