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

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.



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

St. Alexander Nevsky Patriarchal Cathedral celebrates its feast day

The Patriarchal Cathedral of St Alexander Nevsky is celebrating its temple feast today. The cathedral, a symbol of the Bulgarian capital, was built "in gratitude to the Russian people for the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878". Who..

published on 11/23/24 7:05 AM

Delegations of all Orthodox Churches to arrive in Bulgaria for the 100th anniversary of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

On November 22 and 23, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church will solemnly celebrate the 100th anniversary of the consecration of the Patriarchal Cathedral "St. Alexander Nevsky" . For a century the cathedral has been "a witness to all the hopes and..

published on 11/22/24 6:05 AM

The Christian family strengthens our relationship with God

The Feast of the Epiphany - the entry of the Theotokos into the Temple - is one of the oldest and most revered feasts in the Orthodox world. It was introduced in Constantinople around the 8th century during the time of Patriarch Tarasius. It was six..

published on 11/21/24 7:30 AM