Hello friends :)
Today I will show you how we celebrate the Epiphany in my small town Lukovit (Bulgaria 🇧🇬)
Epiphany or Jordan's Day is one of the biggest Christian holidays that we celebrate every year on January 6. On this day a festive Epiphany liturgy is performed, water is consecrated and then the priest goes to a nearby pond (sea, river, lake), where he throws the cross.
Characteristic of the holiday in the city is the traditional men's dance and bathing in the cold water. After the service in the temple, the priest together with a lively crowd go to the nearest river or lake, where a cross will be thrown into the water. This attractive ritual gathers not only a large number of young enthusiasts who will enter the cold water, but also a large number of onlookers. Young men are usually prepared to take the cross out of the water. All are dressed in traditional Bulgarian costumes. It is believed that the one who first pulled the cross thrown by the priest out of the water will have success and health throughout the year. Another legend says that if the cross in the water freezes, a rich harvest awaits it.
Around 10:30, hundreds of spectators have already gathered on the river bank
I am also already here, and I will document this wonderful event that I will share with you 😃
A large group of enthusiastic young people is already in the water, dancing and waving the Bulgarian flag to the sounds of bagpipes.
I decide to change my position and move onto the bridge over the river, from where there is a better view and I can take great photos.
The mood in the water and on the outside is great. Both the audience and the dancers are full of adrenaline😁
In the water you can see and the youngest participants in the dance who are only 5-6 years old:)
On the bank there is a large and rich table for the men who will get out of the cold water. There is also red wine on the table to them keep warm after the dance in the ice river.
A huge fire is also lit to warm the frozen men.
The festive table is provided for the participants by the mayor of Lukovit municipality. He himself, as mayor, sets an example every year and also enters the cold water and dances with the young people.
The men's roun dance in the river lasts about 30 minutes.
And they, as well as the enthusiastic spectators, are looking forward to the appearance of the priest who will bring the cross.
And here that at 11:15, the long-awaited moment comes, and it's time for the culmination of the event.
This year's savior of the Epiphany Cross is 18-year-old Georgi Ivanov.
And since our city is small and we all know each other here, Georgi is a friend of mine, whom I have known for many years :)
We were lucky enough to meet the guardian of the cross later and take photos with him😀. We all kissed the cross and, Georgi was sprink us for health with holy water.
This is for today from me friends. Be alive and healthy, and may God protect you in the new year!!!