Ilin Dimitrov, Bulgarian Minister of Tourism, reported that yesterday, after the Epiphany, the Orthodox Church celebrated the Cathedral of St. prophet John the Baptist and the Baptist of the Lord.
On January 7, part of the Orthodoxy celebrates Christmas in the old style. Orthodox Christmas day appears every January 7 because the Orthodox Church still memorialise the birth of Christ as per the Julian calendar.
Christmas Day was moved to December 25 on the Gregorian calendar, which is still in use today, as a result of the insertion of new components that altered the calendar year.
Dimitrov stated that the day is as popular as Ivanovden and is among the holidays with the most nouns in Bulgaria, nearly 350 thousand people. The name John and its derivatives mean “grace of God”.
St John, called the Prophet, Baptist and Baptist of the Lord, has a unique place among Evangelical personalities with his birth and unique ministry – preaching repentance and baptising people to prepare them to meet the expected Savior.
At the solemn holiday today, the Orthodox world honours the main work of the life of Baptism of Christ.
Dimitrov explained that in the Pavliken village of Karaisen, by an old tradition, the holiday is celebrated with a custom unique to our country – namesake, newlyweds, maids and bachelors are drawn to the Meeting Fountain to be bathed in health. The ritual is called Ivanov Dragons.
He further explained that in the village of Reselets, Cherven Bryag Municipality, on Ivanovden, the unique Kapanki ritual is recreated. The custom for health dates back to ancient times and is preserved only in this settlement. This is how Orthodox Christmas is celebrated throughout the country.
The Ukrainian church hosted a Christmas liturgy in Kyiv Pechersk Lavra on this momentous day for Kyiv. According to Wikipedia, the Kyiv Monastery of the Caves, also known as Kyivo-Pechers’ka Lavra, is a revered Eastern Orthodox Christian monastery that got its name from the areas of the city where it is situated.