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Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks Cheesefare Sunday

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Cheesefare Sunday is the last day before the start of the Great Lent. On this day, people ask forgiveness from the elder family members. “If you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you”, said Head Priest Slavcho Prodanov from the town of Targovishte.

The festive table on Cheesefare Sunday includes cheese, fish, boiled eggs, boiled wheat and white halva (a sweet made of sesame seeds and sugar). A ritual called hamkane performed with boiled egg or white halva also takes place on this day. The egg or the halva are stringed up by a red thread and suspended from the ceiling. The oldest man in the family sways the string and all the people around the table try to catch the egg or the halva with their mouth. It is believed that the one who catches the egg or the halva would enjoy sound health throughout the year.




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