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Water blessing ceremony in Bulgarian churches on the day before Epiphany

Photo: BGNES

Before the feast of the Epiphany on January 5, a great water blessing ceremony is served in Bulgarian churches. This liturgy is performed only twice a yea - on the feast of the Epiphany and on the day before known as "Voditsi". This tradition dates back to the 5th century. The consecrated water is considered to be especially graceful and healing, and the believers take it home.

In different parts of Bulgaria the day before Epiphany is called Popova Christmas, Winter Krastovden (Feast of the Cross), Krastsi, Vodokrashti or Voditsiy. This holiday closes the cycle of the so-called "dirty days" starting at Christmas. "Dirty" or "unbaptized" are those days in which the newborn Jesus had not yet received the Holy Baptism.
For the feast of Voditsi, the church has established a day of strict fasting.



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