+359 886 993 977

info@freeplovdivtour.com

Free Plovdiv Tour
  • Tours
    Free Plovdiv Tour

    Free Plovdiv Tour

    Explore Plovdiv's main landmarks with our daily free walking tours!
    plovdiv grafitti tour logo

    Plovdiv Graffiti Tour

    The best way to explore Plovdiv’s new and exciting street art scene
    socialist architecture tour

    Plovdiv Socialist Architecture Tour

    The tour is dedicated to Plovdiv’s rich socialist architectural heritage.
    FSTlogo

    Free Sofia Tour

    Free Sofia Tour covers Sofia’s most famous landmarks and is led by enthusiastic local guides.
    Trip Advisor

    Book a Private Tour

    Explore Plovdiv’s biggest landmarks with a private guide! You can book a tailor-made private tour every single day!
    Languages we offer:
    Book Private Tour
  • Schedule
  • About
    flag

    Team

    quote

    Testimonials

    partners

    Partners

    shoutout

    Spread the word

    logos

    The Association

    heart full

    Support us

    download

    Download Plovdiv Guide PDF

  • F.A.Q.
  • Blog
✕
  • Tours
    • FREE PLOVDIV TOUR
    • Plovdiv Graffiti Tour
    • Plovdiv Socialist Architecture Tour
    • Free Sofia Tour
    • Plovdiv Fine Drinking Tour
    • Private Tours
  • Schedule
  • About
    • Team
    • Testimonials
    • Partners
    • Spread the word
    • The Association
    • Support us
    • Download Plovdiv Guide PDF
  • F.A.Q.
  • Blog
✕
BOOK NOW
Christmas and New Year’s Eve traditions in Bulgaria
December 24, 2019
The best things about Plovdiv being European Capital of Culture
February 21, 2020

Jordan’s Day or Epiphany

Published by freeplovdivtour at January 6, 2020
Categories
  • Traditional Bulgarian
Tags
  • bulgarian traditions
  • Epiphany
  • Horo
  • Orthodox traditions
  • St. Jordan's Day
  • Traditions

Photo by stefanovaart.com

Whether you have heard about Jordan’s Day or its ecclesiastical name Epiphan, it means one and the same day and holiday. There is evidence proving that the holiday was celebrated even as early as the 2nd century AD. Actually, until the 4th century AD Jordan’s Day coincided with Christmas so Epiphany appeared to be the collective name of the two feasts.

According to the Orthodox church

According to the Orthodox calendar, Jordan’s Day commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ performed by St. John the Baptist. Later, the Church decided to separate the holidays and since then the 25th of December is known as Christmas and Epiphany is celebrated on the 6th of January.

Traditions in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, there is a long-lived tradition related to the date of the 6th of January. Usually, on Jordan’s Day, a ceremonial throw of a cross from the local church takes place. The ritual is put into practice wherever a water basin is available.

Once the cross is thrown, men jump into the water and everyone tries to be the first to find it.

Epiphany
Jordan’s Day
photo by dariknews.bg

After the finding of the sacred object, a mass is served and everyone takes a quantity from the holy water in order to bring it back home as this water is believed to preserve people’s health.

Another memorable rite also takes place on the 6th of January in the water basin after the finding of the holy cross.

All men gather together and form a traditional Bulgarian horo. This custom dates back to old times when men used to build a dam and they were the only ones who took part in the festive horo. What is more, this dance is intended for health, the fertility of the land and good luck for the new year.

Kalofer is the Bulgarian city that is famous for the greatest performances of the ritual dance and therefore attracts hundreds of people from all around the country.

Jordan’s Day
The ritual horo in Kalofer
photo by stefanovaart.com

On Jordan’s Day, by tradition three loaves of bread are prepared. One of them is for the home, the second – for the guests, and the last is placed near the door of the house for the passers-by.

Superstitions about the holiday:

  • If the weather on that day is cold, the whole year will be fertile.
  • If the thrown into the water basin cross freezes, the new year will bring health and fertility.
  • The one who finds the holy object is believed to be healthy and happy throughout the next 12 months.
Share
0
freeplovdivtour
freeplovdivtour

Related posts

March 25, 2025

Chitalishte – Bulgaria’s Unique Cultural Hubs That Have Stood the Test of Time


Read more
February 14, 2025

Where to spend February the 14th in Plovdiv?


Read more
A Bee on a flower high resolution - photo by Friedrich Haag
February 10, 2025

The Sweet Tradition of Beekeeping in Bulgaria


Read more

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • TripAdvisor

Free Tours

  • Free Plovdiv Tour
  • Plovdiv Socialist Architecture Tour
  • Plovdiv Graffiti Tour
  • Free Sofia Tour

Other Tours

  • Private Tours

Contacts

  • +359 886 993 977
  • info@freeplovdivtour.com
  • HTML Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 Betheme by Muffin group | All Rights Reserved | Powered by WordPress