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, the bishop said that this custom was not original, describing it as plagiarism and imitation of pagan cults from ancient Greece and the Orient.
Nestinarstvo, a folk tradition honouring Saints Constantine and Helena, has strong roots in the Strandzha Mountains, where the celebration is called Kostadinovden. A key element of the ritual is dancing barefoot on burning embers. Both men and women can become nestinari, although women are required to be beyond childbearing age.
Nestinarstvo is also part of Bulgaria's cultural identity and is recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
The Urvich Fortress continues to reveal its secrets from the time when Sofia was Roman Serdica. A triangular stone tower dating back to the end of the 2nd century was discovered by young archaeologists Dr. Filip Petrunov and..
In Northeastern Bulgaria the river Rusenski Lom and its tributaries – Cherni, Beli and Malki Lom – have carved out a rugged rocky landscape with hidden caves and hushed valleys where the only sound is that of the birdsong. People have settled in..
His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in the USA, Canada, and Australia, has blessed the newly elected Parish Council of the Holy Trinity Bulgarian Orthodox Church in Madison, Illinois. The new council was elected..
The Urvich Fortress continues to reveal its secrets from the time when Sofia was Roman Serdica. A triangular stone tower dating back..
+359 2 9336 661