Bulgarians celebrate Palm Sunday, or Tsvetnitsa-Vrabnitsa, with garlands and sprigs of willow. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

Bulgarian Orthodox Christians celebrate Palm Sunday - Tsventisa-Vrabnitsa, to mark the triumphal arrival of Christ into Jerusalem.

The Bulgarian tradition is to carry flowers and willow branches, rather than palm leaves, and the day is also regarded as the holiday of the fields, meadows and forests. It is one of the most important holy days, falling one week before Easter, and marking the beginning of the Passion of Christ.

A traditional solemn mass led by the Bulgarian Patriarch is held in Sofia's Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Bulgarians named after flowers, plants and trees, like Margarita, Nevena, Violeta, Tsvetelina, Lilia, Yavor, etc, celebrate their name day.