Easter In Bulgaria

Easter is one of the most significant holidays in the Bulgarian calendar. Starting with Palm Sunday, the holy week leads up to the Great Day. In the country, the festival is popularly known as "Velikden", which literally means 'the faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ'. Easter traditions in Bulgaria are a derivative of the Eastern Orthodox Church rituals. In tune with worldwide Orthodox traditions, bright red colored eggs and Easter breads known as "kolache" or "kozunak" are the prominent symbols of Easter in Bulgaria. In the article, explore all about the traditions and celebrations of Easter in Bulgaria.

Easter Celebration In Bulgaria

Congregation
At midnight on the Saturday before Easter Sunday, people in Bulgaria gather at church, with red painted eggs and bread. The priest proclaims three times "Christos Voskrese" (Christ has risen) and the congregation replies "Vo istina voskrese" (Indeed he has risen). One of the Easter breads is specially decorated with one or more (but an odd number) of red eggs. After a special sequence of services, the clergy blesses the breads and eggs brought by the people.

Good Luck Crack
The Bulgarian 'good luck crack' is a unique Easter tradition in Bulgaria. Eggs are cracked after the midnight service and over the next few days, during the festive season of Easter. On Easter, the eggs are cracked before lunch. The egg that is cracked on the wall of the church is the first egg that people eat after the long fast of Lent. People take turns in tapping their eggs against the eggs of others, and the person who ends up with the last unbroken egg is believed to have a year of good luck. He/she is considered as the most successful, healthy and happy person for the rest of the year.

Easter Presents
The tradition of presenting Easter eggs to loved ones is a tradition followed since ages, in Bulgaria. According to the tradition, in days preceding Easter, Christian families send a loaf of bread and 10-15 red eggs as gifts to their Turkish friends. The person, who delivers the eggs, usually receives money in return. Such breads and eggs are presented not only to the Turkish friends, but also to the Spiritual parents, to the biological parents and to the near and dear, including relatives and friends.

Traditional Easter Feast
Bulgarian Easter is believed to be incomplete without the traditional recipes, indigenous to the country. The traditional Easter recipes served on the festival in Bulgaria include 'Banista' (Bulgarian pastry), 'Palachinki' (a type of pancake), 'Baklava', 'Wine Kebap'. The traditional recipes are prepared and served on the Easter Sunday. The entire family takes part in the feast. Friend and far away acquaintances are also often called upon to join in the feast.