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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.

Georgi claims the title of the most popular male name in Bulgaria for the year 2023, with a staggering count of 143,185 individuals bearing the name. Following closely, Ivan ranks second in popularity, being embraced by 130,551 people, while Dimitar secures the third spot with 104,856 Bulgarians adopting the name.

With 132 votes, Nikolay Denkov was elected Prime Minister. 201 Bulgarian deputies voted. There were 69 against, no abstentions.

Today, after Epiphany, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Council of St. Prophet John the Forerunner and Baptist. The day is popular as Ivanovden in Bulgaria (Ivan's Day) and is among the holidays with the largest number people who have a name day in our country - over 347 thousand.

That is the question Donald Trump may face after a New York judge ordered the former president to testify in a long-running state civil investigation into his business practices.

Today the Orthodox Church pays homage to St. John - The Baptist of the Son of God.

The Church also honors him as a Forerunner-prophet who prepares people for the coming of the Savior.

St. John's Day is accompanied by a rich ritual throughout the country, associated mainly with the young married.

She said the full impact of the spreading disease that has already killed more than 1,600 people would depend on how quickly it was contained.

"I advise everybody not to jump to premature conclusions. There is still a great deal of uncertainty. We operate with scenarios, not yet with projections, ask me in 10 days," Georgieva said.

Viktoria and Aleksandar were the most popular names for newborn babies in Bulgaria in 2019, according to data of the National Statistical Institute. Some 732 baby girls were given the most popular name in 2019. The second most desired name was Maria - 680, followed by Nikol - 596. The newborn boys in 2019, who were named Aleksandar, were 1,036.

Bulgarians with the name Ivan (and its derivatives) are celebrating St John the Baptist, or Ivanovden as it is locally known, on January 7.

A New York court has ordered US President Donald Trump to pay $ 2 million to nonprofit organizations in connection with a settlement with the New York state attorney general's office to resolve a civil lawsuit alleging the foundation unlawfully coordinated with the 2016 Trump presidential campaign., according to global agencies.