Holy Saturday in Bulgaria

Holy Saturday, also known as Great Saturday or the Saturday of Light, is a significant day in Bulgaria as it is in many other Christian countries. This day commemorates the time Jesus Christ lay in the tomb after his death, just before his resurrection celebrated on Easter Sunday.

History and Traditions

• Nestinarstvo: One of the most intriguing Bulgarian traditions associated with Holy Saturday is "nestinarstvo," where people perform a fire dance on smoldering embers. This ritualistic dance is an ancient pagan custom that has been integrated into Christian practices and is most famously performed in the village of Bulgari, not typically on Holy Saturday itself but during springtime celebrations.

• Church Services: On this day, Bulgarians attend church services. The liturgy held on Holy Saturday night is one of the longest and most elaborate in Orthodox Christianity. It starts late at night and continues until dawn.

• Preparation for Easter: Holy Saturday is also a day when final preparations for Easter are made. People complete their cleaning and preparations for the feast on Easter Sunday.

• Egg Painting: One of the essential traditions includes painting eggs, which are first dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ. This often takes place on Thursday before Easter but can also be done on Holy Saturday.

Activities

• Quiet Reflection: Many spend Holy Saturday reflecting quietly at home as it's considered a somber day of anticipation before the joyous celebration of Resurrection Sunday.

• Candlelight Procession: Late at night, people gather in churches to participate in a candlelight procession symbolizing Christ’s descent into hell and his triumphant victory over death.

On this day, Bulgarians remain contemplative while preparing for one of Christianity's most joyous occasions – Easter Sunday, when they will celebrate with feasts and gatherings among family and friends.