Epiphany

In a jubilant commemoration, Bulgarians across the nation honor Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist, marking the revered day of Ivanovden, following the Epiphany.

Today holds profound significance within the Bulgarian Orthodox Church as it pays homage to Saint John's pivotal role, particularly his Baptism of Christ, an event central to his life and legacy.

January 6 marks Epiphany, known as "Yordanovden" or Jordan's Day in Bulgaria, a vibrant celebration deeply rooted in the country's cultural fabric. This cherished festival embraces water blessings and age-old rituals, symbolizing purification and prosperity.

An orthodox faithful catches a wooden crucifix during Epiphany day celebrations in Piraeus near Athens, Friday. Epiphany marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas, but not all Orthodox Christian churches celebrate it on the same day.
[Louiza Vradi/Reuters]

On January 6, Bulgarians celebrate Epiphany or St. Jordan's Day (Yordanovden) - one of the biggest Christian holidays in the Bulgarian calendar.

The Orthodox Church today celebrates the Epiphany - Jordan's Day, which is the third most important Christian holiday of the year.

It is one of the twelve feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God, known as the Baptism of the Lord, Epiphany or Jordan's Day, informs BTA.

The Orthodox Church celebrates, on Wednesday, the Baptism of the Lord or the Epiphany, and the liturgical events occasioned by this celebration will take place this year in compliance with the sanitary rules.

Today, 5 January is the Epiphany's Eve. It is believed that the night before the holiday itself has a strong magical charge and if you wish for something this night you will for sure receive it.

The holiday is associated with the faith in the magical and healing powers of water, its ability to "remember" and the people's reverence for water's life-giving properties.

The Orthodox Christian custom of blessing the waters on the day of Epiphany was celebrated throughout the country, despite the severe weather conditions. The menacing weather in Heraklion, Crete led to the cancellation of the Epiphany festivities, including the traditional throwing of the cross by the priest into the waters.

The Bulgarian town of Kalofer celebrated on Wednesday the feast day of Epiphany with a traditional dance performed by local men in the icy waters of the river Tundzha.

The participants performed the traditional Bulgarian dance of horo, but with only men allowed in it, accompanied by musicians playing bagpipes.

The Municipality of Nea Philadelphia-Nea Halkidona in northern Athens claimed on Wednesday that a group of soccer fans attacked a journalist at an Epiphany celebration on Tuesday as part of an ongoing row between the local authority and a group purporting to be AEK supporters.