With a breath of flowers and delicate greenery covering earth and trees,Palm Sunday is among the most beloved Christian feasts in Bulgaria. It is dedicated to the solemn entry of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem and is always celebrated on the Sunday before Easter. Early in the morning, churches are filled with the scent of spring flowers, with which the parishioners decorate the icons of Jesus Christ and the mother of God. At the Holy Liturgy, the priests consecrate willow branches, reminiscent of the palm trees in the Scripture, used by the children to welcome the Savior. After the service, everyone takes to their home a few willow twigs - for health and blessing of the home. The colourful feast called in Bulgaria also Tsvetnisa (the day of flowers and colours), which is intertwined with the awakening of nature, attracts both believers and non-believers.

Palm Sunday is usually celebrated in every Bulgarian home, as Bulgarians with names of flowers enjoy special attention from family and friends. Radio Bulgaria talks to several citizens of Sofia sharing their plans for the holiday this year, an unusual one:

“In general, I celebrate this day in a very narrow circle," we learn from 40-year-old Yavor Gechev, head of Marketing at the Four Paws non-governmental organization. “Palm Sunday is one of the favourite Christian and Bulgarian holidays for many people here because it brings light, warmth and people are used to celebrating outdoors, in nature. This year, however, things will be different for all of us and this festive mood will not be felt in the same way. It is good if, despite our inner urge to go out, we stay home to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Let us all be patient a little bit more and tackle the contagion, this is the only way. Now there comes a series of major Christian holidays like Easter and Saint George’s Day on May 6. People are used to being among their loved ones and in big groups, but this year we really need to refrain from such gatherings and spend those bright days in a closer circle”.

The same opinion is expressed by 58-year-old economist Lilyana Belicheva, who will spend the holiday this year only with her husband, although she is accustomed to enjoying the attention of both her children and grandchildren, as well as relatives and friends. She will be with them again, yet virtually as the state of emergency requires. On this bright holiday, what Lilyana wishes is that finally we all overcome the "peak of the outbreak" and everyone who is sick gets cured:

“Let's start recovering so we can all reach Easter with very good news. To continue from Palm Sunday with much less sick and more healed people, to see more and more people smile so there is sun also in their souls. Because the Lord is with us and protects our whole country!”

Palm Sunday is one of the most beautiful spring holidays, perhaps because it is also the name day of a number of people bearing the names of flowers, trees and shrubs,says 57-year-old history professor Violeta Stoeva, who also celebrates her name’s day today:

“For me this is the holiday of the tender half of humanity – all women, which is why it is so much cherished and loved by everyone. I wish we were all like a colourful bouquet of flowers and let everyone show their best side on this holiday and in the days to come”.

As we are not allowed to go out for walks, let us try to look inwards with our prayers on the holiday, goes the message of 60-year-old company managerYasen Danailov:

“Going inside oneself, whether it is through prayer, meditation, or another spiritual practice, is like upgrading one’s operating system," he explains. “I hope this “social distancing” will enable us to become aware of everything around us, which we did not have the senses to see until now. We are like some robots who are involved in responding to life events without having control over what is happening. Now we have time to make sense of life around us, to get to know the people we live with and to answer the question what we are doing on this earth, and my wish to all is – be healthy!"

Stay healthy and safe is also the greeting of Radio Bulgaria on this best-loved Christian holiday with a fragrant Bulgarian name - Tsvetnitsa!

English Rossitsa Petcova