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On January 1, Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate St. Basil’s Day, also known as Survaki, in honor of St. Basil the Great. St. Basil, a prominent philosopher and theologian of the early Christian Church, is remembered for his significant contributions to Christian thought.
The celebration of St. Basil’s Day is deeply rooted in folk traditions, one of the most notable being the custom of survakane. This custom involves young men, called survakars, visiting homes to offer blessings. They carry cornflowers adorned with popcorn, dried fruits, and wool as they go from house to house, wishing good health and prosperity for the year ahead. In return, they receive money and treats from the householders.
St. Basil's Day is also a significant name day for many people. Individuals with names such as Vasil, Vasilka, Vasilia, Vasilena, and their variants, as well as Vesselin, Vesselina, and others, celebrate their name day on this occasion. The tradition is celebrated widely across Bulgaria and holds both religious and cultural importance.
The 2024 Human Freedom Index (HFI), compiled by the Cato Institute and the Canadian Fraser Institute, evaluates personal and economic freedoms across 165 countries
In 2024, Bulgaria’s electricity sector faced significant challenges, with a sharp decline in exports and a rise in domestic consumption
In late December, three migrant teens died in Bulgaria after being abandoned in the forest near the border with Turkey
The weather on January 15 is expected to be predominantly cloudy throughout Bulgaria, with occasional light snow showers, especially in the southern regions
On January 15, a ceremony at the Naval Headquarters in Varna will mark the handover of command of the Naval Mine Countermeasures Group in the Black Sea
Bulgaria has extended an offer to North Macedonia
Bulgarian polar explorers in Antarctica have chosen to dedicate the month of January to renowned Bulgarian writer, playwright, and screenwriter Yordan Radichkov
On January 7, nearly 330,000 Bulgarians celebrate St. John's Day or Ivanovden, marking the feast day of St. John the Baptist
Today, Bulgaria celebrates Epiphany, one of the most significant Christian holidays, marked with solemn church services across the country
Today marks the 147th anniversary of Sofia's liberation from Ottoman rule. To honor the occasion, the Sofia Municipality announced plans to lay wreaths
On January 2, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates St. Sylvester, Pope of Rome, along with Venerable Seraphim of Sarov and Saint Theogen, Bishop of Paris
Today, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates Saint Stephen, the holy protomartyr and archdeacon who became the first Christian to sacrifice his life for the faith
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