site.btaBulgaria Celebrates Epiphany
NW 15:42:00 05-01-2015
LN1541NW.111
111 - LIFESTYLE - EPIPHANY - TRADITIONS
Bulgaria
Celebrates
Epiphany
Sofia, January 6 (BTA) - On 6 January, Bulgarians observe
Epiphany, locally known as "Yordanovden" [the Day of the River
Jordan]. The day celebrates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the
River Jordan, which gives the origin of the water blessing
ritual and its power to purify and bring health.
In an old Epiphany ritual that has come down the ages, a priest
throws a cross into the nearest water basin, and young men dive
to recover it from the icy water. Reaching the cross first is
considered a sign of good luck and health. After the cross is
fished out, the priest sprinkles the congregation with water
using a bunch of basil. In the old days, he would also sprinkle
homes and farms with holy water to drive the evil spirits away.
Hundreds of men take part in the traditional horo or chain dance
in rivers and lakes in some parts of Bulgaria. One of the best
known of these is held in the mountain town of Kalofer where
tens of local men jump in the icy water of Toundja River for the
traditional dance.
Old people say that no one has ever complained of the cold or
even less caught a cold after the Epiphany water dance,
irrespective of what the weather was like or how long they
stayed in the water.
In some villages in the Southwest of the country, the one to
retrieve the cross is designated in advance - he is named
bestman of the village and people give him gifts. On Epiphany he
goes round the village and sprinkles people's homes with holy
water.
In the Rhodope regions, men give a ritual bath to newborns and
newly weds.
Meat is excluded from the Epiphany menu and the traditional
fares includes ritual bread, sauerkraut leaves stuffed with
rice, stuffed dried peppers, boiled wheat and wine.
Jordan's Day is a day of partying for all men with the name
Yordan and Bogdan, women Yordanka and Bogdanka, and similarly
sounding names. /LN/VE
//
LN1541NW.111
111 - LIFESTYLE - EPIPHANY - TRADITIONS
Bulgaria
Celebrates
Epiphany
Sofia, January 6 (BTA) - On 6 January, Bulgarians observe
Epiphany, locally known as "Yordanovden" [the Day of the River
Jordan]. The day celebrates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the
River Jordan, which gives the origin of the water blessing
ritual and its power to purify and bring health.
In an old Epiphany ritual that has come down the ages, a priest
throws a cross into the nearest water basin, and young men dive
to recover it from the icy water. Reaching the cross first is
considered a sign of good luck and health. After the cross is
fished out, the priest sprinkles the congregation with water
using a bunch of basil. In the old days, he would also sprinkle
homes and farms with holy water to drive the evil spirits away.
Hundreds of men take part in the traditional horo or chain dance
in rivers and lakes in some parts of Bulgaria. One of the best
known of these is held in the mountain town of Kalofer where
tens of local men jump in the icy water of Toundja River for the
traditional dance.
Old people say that no one has ever complained of the cold or
even less caught a cold after the Epiphany water dance,
irrespective of what the weather was like or how long they
stayed in the water.
In some villages in the Southwest of the country, the one to
retrieve the cross is designated in advance - he is named
bestman of the village and people give him gifts. On Epiphany he
goes round the village and sprinkles people's homes with holy
water.
In the Rhodope regions, men give a ritual bath to newborns and
newly weds.
Meat is excluded from the Epiphany menu and the traditional
fares includes ritual bread, sauerkraut leaves stuffed with
rice, stuffed dried peppers, boiled wheat and wine.
Jordan's Day is a day of partying for all men with the name
Yordan and Bogdan, women Yordanka and Bogdanka, and similarly
sounding names. /LN/VE
//
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