site.btaBulgarians in Taraclia Celebrate Epiphany

Orthodox Christians celebrate on Friday, January 19, Baptism or Epiphany in the old style. For Bessarabian Bulgarians, Epiphany is one of the main Orthodox holidays.

On this occasion, lay people gathered at the Church of St. George the Victorious in the town of Taraclia to sanctify the water and pray for protection, prosperity, and love.

It is believed that on the night of Epiphany water acquires miraculous properties and becomes healing. On the eve of the feast, January 18, a strict fast is established. On this day, the Church commemorates Jesus Christ’s taking the path of serving people.

According to the teaching, the Son of God was baptized in the waters of the Jordan River. Usually, after the solemn liturgy in the temple, the clergy perform a ceremony of consecration of the water in the central dam in the city park, and those who wish can plunge into it. This year, however, Taraclians will not have that opportunity.