Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – day of the Christian family

published on 11/19/10 2:31 PM

The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the 12 big Christian feasts. It marks the bringing of three-year-old Mary by her parents Joachim and Anne to the Temple in Jerusalem for Her consecration. The Bulgarian Orthodox church marks the feast on November 21. With a decision of the Holy Synod dating back to 1929, in Bulgaria the feast is also marked as a Day of the Christian Family, and a Day of the Christian Orthodox Youth. On this day there were no school classes for the children and they went to church together with their parents. Going to church as a family used to remind the parents of their obligations for spiritual education of their children and the need to teach them Christian virtues. However, after years of state atheism during the communist regime in the country, the feast has lost its previous spiritual significance for a big number of the Bulgarians.

What does the modern Christian family in Bulgaria look like? Radio Bulgaria made an interview with Albena and Pavel Yakimovi, married in church 10 years ago.

“Today it is difficult for people to make families and preserve them from the temptations and difficulties that often emerge,” Pavel says. “Families split because there is no unifying core. This is faith. In Old Bulgarian languages the word for spouses means two in harness. This clearly shows that whatever happens the two share the same road and direction. If one starts to slow down the other pulls him or her. People who have a family must first think of their partner and children before doing anything.”

“It is not difficult for a believer to have a family in the modern world,” Albena adds. “There are temptations but the husband and wife follow God’s way. When Pavel and me wanted to get married the priests told us something we remember today. ‘People today separate because of a handkerchief.’ We though what this could mean and eventually found out that living for material possessions means to indulge your own egoism. But when you believe your realize that the one next to you is your partner, friend, and haven. This way one becomes open-minded and calm. I think that many people make a big mistake believing that the others must accept them the way they are. Such people do not want to change themselves but instead desire to make others fit their idea of good and evil. This is related to the meaning of marriage – love and family life are not what you get but what you give. It is said that love always exists thanks to both people. This is the basis of family relations.”

In Orthodox marriage the wife and husband accept the idea they will continue their life together in heaven. That is why before marrying, the priest always asks the young couple if the know the responsibility they are to take. It is very important that if one turns away from the right path, the other must help in finding the right way, Albena says.

“Although we have had disagreements with Pavel, we always try to discuss the issues and take the right decision. Friends of ours have told us that our life is very boring because we don’t flirt with others and do not cheat. We live a secluded life. People now live with each other without marriage but I think that this injects in your mind the virus of thinking you can always leave your partner when you don’t like him or her. This virus of egoism feeds your desire not to change. That is why when they ask me if the family life was nice, I always say ‘yes’ even in difficult moments, because when you are married you forget about the pettiest worries. You walk your path and look forward to your salvation.”

In the past Bulgarian marked the feast with a vegetarian meal, freshly baked bread and wine. After dinner, they let the table, as it was, in order for the Virgin Mary also to have a meal in their home. Bulgarians have traditions, which must be kept, Albena says. “I feel very sad that people celebrate St. Valentine’s Day, than marking this wonderful feast of the Christian family,” she adds. Albena and Pavel will keep to the tradition and will spend a family holiday.

“In addition to having a wonderful wife I am very happy I have a great mother-in-law and a father-in-law. When I was single, I used to think about what the parents of my future bride would be like. Now I can say that I love them so much that when I see them I feel calm and happy. This is a blessing and joy – having two more parents,” Pavel says.

Author: Darina Grigorova
English: Alexander Markov

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Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – day of the Christian family

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