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-archive

On the eve of the great Christian Feast of the Epiphany, also known as Yordanovden, a great water blessing ceremony was served in all Bulgarian Orthodox churches. The ritual refers to The Baptism of Christ in the sacred River Jordan by John the Baptist. 

This is one of the most solemn sacraments of the Church's ordinances and is celebrated after the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil. The Great Epiphany Blessing takes plave twice a year - on Epiphany and on the eve of Epiphany itself. The first Christians performed water-blessing rituals on the night before the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Since then, Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria have been praying at midnight before the Epiphany. It is believed that this is the time when the skies open and the Lord hears their sincere prayers. 




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

Extensive archaeological excavations at the Thracian complex Begliktash continue

The Thracian sanctuary Begliktash, which is some 5 kilometres from Primorsko, is one of the intriguing sites in the area. There are many preserved dolmens in the area connected with the funeral rites of the Thracian tribes. As a matter of fact, these..

updated on 8/13/24 10:40 AM

"Golden Apple" miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos exhibited in Haskovo

For the second time this year, the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Golden Apple, considered miraculous for Orthodox Christians, will be exposed for worship in the town of Haskovo in Southern Bulgaria. This is announced by the Holy Metropolis of..

published on 8/13/24 5:35 AM

Temple built by French crusaders in the 15th century still survives in Bulgarian village of Vladimirovo

Two churches named after St. Nicholas stand in a courtyard in the village of Vladimirovo near the town of Montana , Northwestern Bulgaria.  One is an Orthodox church and the other is a half-ruined Catholic church.  The Catholic church was..

published on 8/12/24 2:36 PM