Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks Cheesefare Sunday

Photo: archive

Cheesefare Sunday is the last day before the start of the Great Lent. On this day, people ask forgiveness from the elder family members. “If you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you”, said Head Priest Slavcho Prodanov from the town of Targovishte.

The festive table on Cheesefare Sunday includes cheese, fish, boiled eggs, boiled wheat and white halva (a sweet made of sesame seeds and sugar). A ritual called hamkane performed with boiled egg or white halva also takes place on this day. The egg or the halva are stringed up by a red thread and suspended from the ceiling. The oldest man in the family sways the string and all the people around the table try to catch the egg or the halva with their mouth. It is believed that the one who catches the egg or the halva would enjoy sound health throughout the year.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

An average of seven unemployed Bulgarians compete for one open position

An average of seven unemployed people are competing for one job across the country in 2024, according to the National Employment Agency. The unemployment rate in Bulgaria remained at 5.2% in October  The strongest competition is in the..

published on 11/24/24 11:55 AM

Festive Christmas spirit pervades the Bulgarian capital

Sofia will welcome the Christmas and New Year holidays with brilliant decorations in all areas of the city. A major highlight in the transformation of the capital will be the beautiful Christmas trees placed in key locations. The tallest among..

published on 11/24/24 9:50 AM

Sunny but chilly Sunday

Overnight it will be mostly clear. Winds will weaken and die down in many areas. In the morning it will be cold, with minimum temperatures between minus 7 and minus 2°C, reaching minus 10°C in the valleys and around minus 9°C in Sofia. Tomorrow will be..

published on 11/23/24 7:05 PM