Epiphany or St. Jordan Day 2026 in Bulgaria

Epiphany, or St. Jordan Day, is one of Bulgaria's most revered holidays and the third most important Christian holiday of the year. This holiday is closely connected with water and bathing. It is believed that the water on this day is purified and contains more value. After masses in the local temples and churches, priests and crowds go to the nearest river or pond to throw a cross into the water, and members of the community dive in to retrieve it.

Festival Customs & Beliefs

This spectacular action gathers not only the faithful but also crowds of onlookers. Young men are usually trained to take the cross out of the water. It is believed that whoever takes out the cross thrown by the priest first will be successful and happy. This act symbolizes purification and renewal, with the first person who reaches it being blessed with good health.

Girls also take part in this feast but in their own way. Before sunrise, they go to a stream to pour "baptized" water on themselves and wash their home icons and their faces.

Traditional Dances in Kalofer

The town of Kalofer, situated in the mountainous region of central Bulgaria, celebrates Epiphany with traditional folk dances, with men wearing customary embroidered shirts. The dance is called "mazhko horo" and lasts approximately half an hour. The participants, standing waist-deep in the freezing river, form a circle by holding each other’s shoulders and slowly wading through the water in rhythmic movements.