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Bulgarians celebrate major feast of Ivanovden (Day of Saint John the Baptist)

On January 7, after Epiphany, Orthodox Christians commemorate the feast day of Saint John the Baptist more popular in Bulgaria as Ivanovden. The church also honors him as the Forerunner prophet who revealed the sins of men and called them to prepare for the Savior's coming by purifying their hearts and minds so that they could receive the teaching of Christ. 
Ivanovden is celebrated by over 355,000 Bulgarians, and Ivan is the second most common male name in the country after the name Georgi. People celebrating today are those bearing the names of Ioan, Ioana, Ivan, Ivanka, Ivanina, Vanina, Vanya, Vanyo, Kaloyan, Yovko, Yovka, Ivaylo, Ivayla, Ivo, Ivona.



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