Today, The Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors the memory of Saint John the Baptist, also known as Saint John the Forerunner, because he prepared people for the coming of the Savior. The day dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, known in Bulgaria as Ivanovden, is marked immediately after the Feast of Epiphany, in order to honor the Baptist, who performed the Divine baptism of the Son of God. Saint John proclaimed God's will and called people to repentance, as God had endowed him with the ability to see human sins. He baptized the repentant in the waters of the Jordan River, where they were freed from their sins to be reborn for a righteous life.

• Epiphany and Synaxis of St. John the Baptist

In Bulgaria, the ritual bathing in rivers and fountains, reminiscent of the baptism in the Jordan River, is still practiced in various places.

 Regardless of the weather conditions, brave individuals wade into the icy waters of bodies of water blessed on Epiphany. In other places, people douse themselves with large amounts of ice-cold water, again for purification and to strengthen both the spirit and the body.

• Water and traditional purification rituals in January

The festive table is abundant and includes all traditional Bulgarian winter dishes- bean soup, oshav (dried fruit compote), banitsa (cheese pie), grilled flat sausage, pork ribs with cabbage. etc.

• Ivanovden - customs, rituals and beliefs that come with the feast

• Festive rituals on Ivanovden (Saint John the Baptist’s Day) in Bulgaria

  
  

All who bear the names Yoan, Ivan and their derivatives celebrate their name day today. Nearly 350,000 people celebrate their name day on Ivanovden. This is why the feast is revered almost like a national holiday, as all Bulgarian families celebrate it in a due manner.

See also:

• Ivan is a title in Bulgaria, not a name!

• Ivanovi Vlachugi ritual chases away evil and brings health

Photos: BTA; BGNES