Easter (in Bulgarian Великден; Velikden – Great Day) is a traditional celebration that Bulgarians enjoy the most, has all the components to have a great time, a mix of Christian and pagan rituals, delicious thematic food, and … Easter in Bulgarian is called “Velikden” (Great Day). It is said that, if one has been a faithful Christian, his candle will certainly not be blown out by the wind- no matter how strong that wind may be. The Bulgarian Easter traditions are a variation of traditional Orthodox Easter traditions. Below are listed Public Holidays in Bulgaria. It is round-shaped and decorated with a lot of interlacing figures. In 2021, it falls on a Sunday, and some businesses may choose to follow Sunday opening hours. The most attention, however, goes to the braided bread known as “kozunak”. Millions of Orthodox Christians around the world annually observe Good Friday to commemorate the events leading up to Jesus Christ's crucifixion. This day is a day of feasting, and all the prohibited foods of the past 46 days are enjoyed. Cracking eggs as a family together is a common tradition that is said to predict coming wealth and success. Orthodox Easter, also called Greek Easter is the principal festival of the Orthodox Church. This celebration is the most important of the events listed in the Orthodox calendar (in front of Christmas). This year Easter won't becelebrated until Sunday April 15th – a week after it is celebrated by Protestants and Catholics. Traditional foods are prepared and eaten, and eggs are dyed. The service begins at 11pm and continues until the stroke of midnight. The traditional recipes are prepared and served on the Easter Sunday. If you want to know how to say Happy Easter in Bulgarian, you will find the translation here. The notable feature of this tradition follows coloring eggs in bright red color and using specialized Easter breads, known as "kolache" or "kozunak". "This is the last Easter … Then they met Dimitar Korudjiev, a prominent author considered by some as the Bulgarian equivalent of Vaclav Havel in the former Czechoslovakia. Bulgaria is a largely Orthodox Christian country along with the rest of the Balkans (except for Croatia) and, as such, religious devotions figure prominently in the Easter holiday. Easter is an important holiday in Bulgaria. This year, the Orthodox Easter was held on April 8, the last weekend, seven days after the Catholic Easter. Overview of holidays and many observances in Bulgaria during the year 2021 Orthodox Easter is followed in 23 other countries besides Romania, including Russia, Greece, and the neighbouring states of Ukraine and Bulgaria. In the bible, it is the day when Mary Magdalene found that an empty tomb in the cave in which Jesus had been placed following his death by crucifixion on the Friday before. The traditional Easter recipes served on the festival in Bulgaria include 'Banista' (Bulgarian pastry), 'Palachinki' (a type of pancake), 'Baklava', 'Wine Kebap'. Easter is the holiest day of the year for Bulgarians. Now you can read some fun facts about our traditions and celebrations during Holy Week and on Easter day itself. Easter is the holiest day of the year for Bulgarians. Therefore the Orthodox Easter period often occurs later than the Easter period that falls around the time of the March equinox. As you may know, Bulgarians are Orthodox Christians, and Easter here is usually during a different time than the rest of the world. This “Easter Loaf” is meant to represent Christ’s body and is eaten along with a red egg that symbolises his blood. Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates. Bulgarian Churches Open for Easter, but Only Most Devout Go More Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte leads the Palm Sunday service in Alexander Nevski cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 12, 2020. The egg that is cracked on the wall of the church is the first egg that people eat after the long fast of Lent. The day of Saint Martyr Theodore of Tyron was celebrated in Bulgaria on March 8th, the first Saturday of the Orthodox Church's Lent. The decision to keep churches open has sparked an intense debate on social media in Bulgaria, where many attend Easter services but are not regular churchgoers. The first Easter egg must be dyed red to symbolise the blood of Christ, and it is then often buried in a field to ensure fertility or stored in the house till next Easter to bring good fortune to the family. Many Orthodox churches base their Easter date on the Julian calendar, which often differs from the Gregorian calendar that is used by many western countries. People used to use herbs and plants to paint their eggs, but nowadays we just use The Vernal (Spring) Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is the Autumnal (Fall) Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. Bulgaria is an Orthodox Christian country. The rest of the eggs are painted in blue, green, yellow, purple or are covered in beautiful decorations. The Full Moon in March is the Worm Moon. With Palm Sunday begins the Holy week. Kashkaval tourist wishes you a Happy Easter! We hope this will help you to understand Bulgarian better. Four public holidays are officially designated from Good Friday to Easter … The Bulgarian 'good luck crack' is a unique Easter tradition in Bulgaria. The bright red colored egg is the symbol of Easter for the Orthodox Christians all over the world. Many Orthodox churches base their Easter date on the Julian calendar, which often differs from the Gregorian calendar that is used by many western countries. Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, which in Bulgaria, is also sometimes called “Flower Day.” Since palm branches are not available, pussy-willow branches are often used as a replacement. If you find an error, please let us know. Here is the translation and the Bulgarian word for Happy Easter: Честит Великден Edit. In the case of young women, they are frequently formed into “crowns” that are worn to the church services and then tossed into a river in the hopes that their future husband will find it. The Continue Reading If you’re set on celebrating Easter (Великден, Velikden) the Bulgarian way, don’t forget that: Eggs are painted on Thursday and Saturday during the Holy Week, never on any other […] Traditionally, in Bulgaria we paint eggs and do egg tapping. St George's Day (Day of Bulgarian … In the previous article, “The week before Easter“, I told you about Lazarovden and Tsvetnitsa, two unique Bulgarian holidays. These dates … Easter (in Bulgarian Великден; Velikden – Great Day) is a traditional celebration that Bulgarians enjoy the most, has all the components to have a great time, a mix of Christian and pagan rituals, delicious thematic food, and four days off at the beginning of the spring. The Bulgarian Easter is celebrated according to the Bulgarian … They are carried to local churches and blessed by priests. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church recognises 40 days of Lent, which lead up to Easter Sunday. On Easter, the eggs are cracked before lunch. Consider the following: Bulgarians observe Easter according to the Julian calendar. At that moment, everyone greets each other with “Hristos vozkrese!” (Christ is risen!) Bulgaria holidays 2022. Bulgaria has made numerous contributions to space exploration. Many pagan traditions intertwine with Easter since the resurrection of Christ is associated with the awakening of new life in spring. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. Orthodox Easter has almost arrived! It is the most significant religious holiday for the world's roughly 300 million Orthodox Christians. During Holy Week, some very devout Bulgarians attend church every day. Labour Day 01 May 2021. Shifting the polling date for the parliamentary elections to April 4, 2021, initially scheduled in Bulgaria for March 28, has stirred up the Catholic minority, as it coincides with Easter Sunday. It signifies the end of the 40 days of Lent, meaning Christians who gave up something during lent to signify Jesus' time in the wilderness, can indulge them… Bulgarian Easter is believed to be incomplete without the traditional recipes, indigenous to the country. Easter traditions in Bulgaria are a derivative of the Eastern Orthodox Church rituals. Orthodox Easter 30 April 2021 to 02 March 2021. It symbolizes the prosperity of the house and the well-being of the family. Whereas American's might brave an Easter Sunrise Service, Orthodox Bulgarians go to church Saturday night in… Today happens to be Easter for Eastern Orthodox Christians like most Bulgarians as well as for Catholics and Protestants. Kozunak is similar to many celebration breads of Europe, especially eastern Europe, and is enriched with eggs, oil, and sugar. This page contains a national calendar of all 2020 public holidays for Bulgaria. The main dinner is always lamb, representing the Lamb of God who died and rose again. Painting eggs is really fun because there are so many ways to do it and to be creative. As the Bulgarian name implies "Velikden" (Great Day), Easter is one of the most significant holidays in the Bulgarian calendar and starting with Palm Sunday, the holy week leads up to the Great Day. Easter celebrations in Bulgaria are highly influenced by Easter traditions of the Orthodox Eastern Church. While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. Religious devotions figure prominently in the Easter holiday, and during Holy … New Year's Day 01 January 2021. Privacy & Terms. National Day (Day of Liberation) 03 March 2021. Easter in Bulgaria is an important holiday and religious celebration. Here in Bulgaria, egg cracking is good for more than just eating the egg. Easter Is the Holiest Day of the Year in Bulgaria. Easter or Velik Den (Great Day) is one of the most important holidays in Bulgaria. It is a celebration of life, of Christ’s victory over sin and death. Easter Kozunak Ritual bread is an unvarying part of the Easter traditions. First Bulgarian Red Cross endorsed the idea, and offered to provide food and clothing to the poor as part of the event. Easter in Bulgaria is observed with great religious fervor and is better known as ‘Velikden’ meaning ‘the faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ’. Four public holidays are officially designated from Good Friday to Easter Monday. Holy Thursday is “egg painting day” for people who continue to follow old traditions. Easter is a fascinating part of Bulgarian culture. The week before the big holiday is just as important as the Holy Week itself. Eggs are cracked after the midnight service and over the next few days, during the festive season of Easter. On Holy Saturday, people go to a midnight church vigil. It reminds me of brioche, pandoro, or Pane di Pasqua, except that it … Orthodox Easter 01 May 2021 to 03 May 2021. Easter in Bulgaria. Next, everyone goes outside and walks thrice around the church building while carrying lit candles. It is a semi-sweet raisin bread that is sometimes topped with sliced almonds. Easter Sunday is called “Velikden,” meaning “the Great Day” because it is the culmination of Holy Week and of the Lenten season. Kozunak is a slightly sweet enriched celebration bread often served Easter morning in Bulgaria. Easter Sunday is a public holiday. © Time and Date AS 1995–2021. In all, about 250 million people celebrate Orthodox Easter … It is also called Lenten Moon, Crow Moon, Crust Moon, Chaste Moon, Sugar Moon, and Sap Moon. These include two scientific satellites, more than 200 payloads and 300 experiments in Earth orbit, as well as two cosmonauts since 1971. Comprehensive list of National Public Holidays that are celebrated in Bulgaria during 2020 with dates and information on the origin and meaning of holidays. Easter is one of the most significant holidays in the Bulgarian calendar and starting with Palm Sunday, the holy week leads up to the Great Day. Many other eggs may be dyed this day as well, many of them also coloured red and decorated with ornate crosses and other religious symbols. Is Easter Sunday a Public Holiday? Just like other festivities, Easter celebrations in Bulgaria are a variant of Orthodox Easter traditions followed through ages. The Saturday before Easter Sunday is also known as Holy Saturday for many Orthodox churches worldwide. During this time, the observant refrain from the consumption of meat, fish, milk, cheese, butter, and all other animal-derived food products. If you are on the territory of Bulgaria during our Easter (this year it begins on the 28th of April and ends on the 2nd of May) get ready for a massive celebration – we love this holiday probably more than we love Christmas and know how to make the most of it! Orthodox Easter is the most prominent day on the Christian calendar in Bulgaria, and is observed by many in a devoutly religious manner. and receives the traditional response “Voistina vozkrese!” (He is risen indeed!). As any important holiday it comes with its own set of ancient and modern traditions. Bulgaria was the first country to grow wheat and vegetables in space with its Svet greenhouses on the Mir space station. Therefore the Orthodox Easter period often occurs later than the Easter period that falls around the time of the March equinox. These dyed eggs are oftentimes colored red, which is a custom for Bulgarian Easter. Bulgaria is a largely Orthodox Christian country, along with much of the Balkans. In Romania, both Orthodox Easter Day and Orthodox Easter Monday are public holidays. This year, Easter in Bulgaria is on the 8th of April. In Bulgaria, the first painted egg recieved should be red and it should be kept until the next Easter. Palm Sunday Begins Holy Week The day is also known as Tsvetnitsa or Flower Day and the faithful are given a dispensation and allowed to eat fish. An exception, however, is made on Palm Sunday, and fish is permitted on the menu. In Bulgaria the tradition says that it has to be made on Thursday before Easter. Orthodox Easter is the most prominent day on the Christian calendar in Bulgaria, and is observed by many in a devoutly religious manner.