Celebrating Ivanovden: The Name Day That Lights Up Bulgaria
Bulgaria observes Ivanovden, or St. John’s Day, on January 7, one of the country’s significant traditional holidays marking the feast of St. John the Baptist
Bulgarians Celebrate St. John the Baptist's Day
Society | January 7, 2011, Friday // 08:07
- Tweet
Send to Kindle
The Day of St. John the Baptist is known as Ivanovden in Bulgaria.
For Bulgarian Orthodox Christians, January 7 is the day for honoring St. John the Baptist who baptized Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.
Some 300 000 Bulgarians with the second most popular Bulgarian name - "Ivan" - are celebrating Friday their name day, together with Ivanka, Ivana, Ivaylo, Ivelina, Yoan, Yoana, Kaloyan, Vanyo, Vana, among others.
On Ivanovden, according to past Bulgarian customs, at early dawn young women brought water from a river or a well. In a large caldron, referred to as "chebar", they bathed the children for health. The young couples, who had married in the winter before St. John's Day, were also given a bath in this "chebar".
Related Articles:
Father Ivan of Novi Han Dies After a Lifetime of Serving the Poor and Homeless in Bulgaria
Father Ivan from Novi Han, known across Bulgaria for his lifelong dedication to the poor and vulnerable, has passed away
Ivanovden and St. John's Day: Celebrated by Nearly 330,000 Bulgarians
On January 7, nearly 330,000 Bulgarians celebrate St. John's Day or Ivanovden, marking the feast day of St. John the Baptist
Celebrating Ivan Milev: A Painter Honored on Bulgaria's 5 Leva Banknote
Ivan Milev Lalev was a Bulgarian painter and scenographer regarded as the founder of the Bulgarian Secession and a representative of Bulgarian modernism, combining symbolism
Ivanovden: Bulgaria Reveres Saint John in a Jubilant Celebration
In a jubilant commemoration, Bulgarians across the nation honor Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist, marking the revered day of Ivanovden, following the Epiphany
A 27-year-old Bulgarian with British citizenship desecrated the Coliseum (VIDEO)
Italian police have identified a man who scribbled the name "Ivan" in Latin letters on the wall of the Colosseum in Rome
Society | June 30, 2023, Friday // 09:17
Bulgaria Marks Holy Saturday Ahead of Easter Night
Holy Saturday, known in Bulgaria as Lazarus Saturday’s continuation of the Easter cycle, is a quiet but deeply symbolic day in the Orthodox Christian calendar
Measles Outbreak in Bulgaria Surpasses 100 Cases, Majority are Children
Health authorities in Bulgaria report a total of 101 confirmed measles cases across the country, according to data from the Ministry of Health
Good Friday: A Day of Reflection in Bulgaria
Good Friday, known in Bulgaria as Razpeti petak, is one of the most solemn and deeply observed days in the Orthodox Christian calendar
Bulgaria's Antarctic Expedition Ship Returns to Varna
The Bulgarian scientific research vessel “Sts. Cyril and Methodius” (NIC 421) has returned to Varna, docking at the Marine Station and marking the official end of the country’s 34th Antarctic expedition
Society | April 9, 2026, Thursday // 17:53
Weather in Bulgaria: Mixed Easter Forecast With Sun, Rain, and Gradually Rising Temperatures
Holiday weather conditions are expected to remain mixed across Bulgaria, with alternating periods of sunshine and rain showers, according to the forecast
Holy Synod Confirms No Trip to Jerusalem, No Holy Fire Brought to Bulgaria
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has decided that no official delegation will travel to Jerusalem this year to receive the Holy Fire, citing the ongoing tensions in the Middle East
