Holy Cross Day Spells End of Summer in Bulgaria
Society | September 14, 2007, Friday
Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria celebrate the day of the Holy Cross on September 14. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria celebrate the day of the Holy Cross on September 14, which is said to spell the end of the summer.
Thousands of pilgrims flocked late on Thursday to Krustova Gora (the Cross Forest), where a piece of the crucifixion cross is believed to have been buried.
Located 45 kilometers south of Assenovgrad, in the proximity of the town of Luki in the Rhodope Mountains, Krustova Gora is one of the most revered Christian holy places in Bulgaria. Truly religious people believe that if someone overnights there, the man will be cured, if ill.
The folk calendar says that starting from September 14 people get ready for the grape harvest. They repair the hoops of the kegs in which the wine will be poured, the wheelbarrow to carry the grapes and the vessel to press it. That is why in some places the Holy Cross Day is called "Grape-picker".
This is the nameday of Krastyo, Krastina.
Thousands of pilgrims flocked late on Thursday to Krustova Gora (the Cross Forest), where a piece of the crucifixion cross is believed to have been buried.
Located 45 kilometers south of Assenovgrad, in the proximity of the town of Luki in the Rhodope Mountains, Krustova Gora is one of the most revered Christian holy places in Bulgaria. Truly religious people believe that if someone overnights there, the man will be cured, if ill.
The folk calendar says that starting from September 14 people get ready for the grape harvest. They repair the hoops of the kegs in which the wine will be poured, the wheelbarrow to carry the grapes and the vessel to press it. That is why in some places the Holy Cross Day is called "Grape-picker".
This is the nameday of Krastyo, Krastina.
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