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Good Friday, known as "Велики Петък" (Veliki Petak) in Bulgarian, is a significant day in the Christian calendar and marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is observed with great solemnity as a day of mourning and reflection.
Church Services: In Bulgaria, Good Friday is a day of strict fasting and contemplation. Many Orthodox Christians attend church services where the Gospel accounts of the Passion are read aloud, and hymns related to the crucifixion are sung.
The Plashtenitsa: One of the central traditions on Good Friday involves the "плащеница" (plashtenitsa), which is a cloth icon depicting Jesus Christ laid out after being taken down from the cross. This cloth is ceremonially brought out for veneration by the congregation during a special service.
Processions: In some communities, there may be processions with the plashtenitsa. The cloth is carried outside the church, symbolizing Christ's burial procession.
Fasting: Many Bulgarians observe a strict fast on this day, abstaining from meat, dairy products, and sometimes even oil. It's considered one of the strictest fasting days in Christianity.
Preparation for Easter: Despite its somber tone, Good Friday also serves as preparation for Easter Sunday. Bulgarians may spend time cleaning their homes and cooking traditional foods like "козунак" (kozunak)—a sweet bread—and painting Easter eggs.
Good Friday in Bulgaria reflects both deep religious observance and cultural traditions that have been maintained across generations. The day's events set the stage for the joyous celebration of Easter that follows after this period of mourning.
