On January 7, one day after the Feast of Epiphany, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the Synaxis of the Holy Glorious Prophet, John the Forerunner, the man who baptized Christ. More than 347,000 Bulgarians celebrate their name day on St. John the Baptis’s Day, known as Ivanovden.

The Feast of Epiphany and St. John the Baptist’s Day are the most revered winter feasts in Bulgaria. Bulgarians associate the two feasts with the cleansing power of water and the new beginning. 

Residents of the village of Karaisen (Pavlikeni Municipality, Central North Bulgaria) celebrate the Feast of St. John the Baptist with the authentic ritual "Ivanovi Vlachugi", which is passed down from generation to generation since time immemorial. The custom is celebrated at the largest water fountain in Karaisen, where people celebrating their name day on Ivanovden, newlyweds, lads and lasses attend ritual bathing for sound health and fertility. 

Another interesting folk custom named "Kapanki" is recreated in the village of Reselets, the Municipality of Cherven Bryag (Northwestern Bulgaria). The unique ancient ritual is performed for sound health. According to the tradition, single men and women bearing the names Ivan, Ivanka, and their derivatives, have to pay someone to carry them through the local river “Rachene”. Those who are unwilling to pay take an ice bath in the river. Red wine, mulled rakia brandy, traditional meat delicacies and a special sort of red onions (Reseleshki Luk) are part of the festive table in Reselets on Ivanovden. It is believed that those who take a cold bath on the Day of St. John the Baptist (Ivanovden) stay healthy all year round.