Christmas Traditions In Bulgaria

There was no Santa Clause here in Bulgaria a few, only on television. It is now a more common sight and kids are beginning to think that this is what Christmas is all about now. Such a s shame a Coca-Cola invented character now is beginning to dominate things here. The customs that are in the report still go on here but I can see it running out of steam alongside the commercialism that is now in Bulgaria.

Christmas is one of the biggest Christian holidays, it commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.
Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas as solemnly as Easter. The holiday is marked on December 25 (under the Gregorian and the new Julian Calendars). In Bulgaria Christmas was declared official holiday at a decision of the 9th National Assembly on March 28, 1990.
In Bulgaria, Christmas is a continuation of Christmas Eve – the last day of the Long Lent, which starts at midnight with caroling. Caroling is done by men – bachelors, betrotheds and younger, recently married men.
On December 25, carol-singers throughout the entire country will visit homes in groups. In each home, the carol-singers will sing a song to honor the hosts and wish them luck. The host invites the young men on the table and gives them wine and rakia and in the end – a ring-shaped bun, money, meat, beans, and others.
Christmas service was delivered at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral by His Holiness Patriarch Maxim of Bulgaria.
In the end of the liturgy Patriarch Maxim gave blessing to all believers, who celebrate the greatest Christian holiday – the birth of Jesus Christ.

Source: www.focus-fen.net
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