St John’s day
January 31st, 2009As well as birthdays, Bulgarians celebrate their name day. Every Bulgarian has a day of the year where on their name day they are congratulated, receive gifts, eat, drink and party on in their own Bulgarian way!
Name Days is a custom practiced in most countries where the Eastern Orthodox or Greek Orthodox religion is the official denomination.
A Name Day is basically a day of the year allocated on the calendar of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church to celebrate the name and life of the respective Saint under that name. Everyone named after that specific saint has cause for celebration, somewhat similar to a large scale birthday.
The Orthodox Church in Bulgaria honours on January 7 Saint John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus.
Widely known as Ivanovden, the day is the festival of the most popular name in Bulgaria - Ivan (John). According to official data the number of the Bulgarians, named Ivan, is no fewer than 204 855.
On that day, Mr. Christopher Violaris, CEO of Eurolink Investment Group, invited the Bishop of Varna, Kiril, once again (as in the beginning of 2008), to bless all offices and its staff, as well as partners and clients. Bishop Kiril wished all health and wellbeing and sprinkled holy water over the heads of the people present, as they kissed the Cross. He beseeched them to be good and do good and not just expect to receive and gain. God bless us all.
