HOLY WEEK IN BULGARIA STARTED

Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria mark 14th April 2014 as the first day of the Holy Week (also known as the Passion Week). This is the week preceding Easter and Christians commemorate the last days of earthly life of Jesus Christ.

Every day of this week is holy and great. Special liturgies take place in churches. Fasting is very strict during the days before Christ’s Resurrection.

Great and Holy Friday is observed as a very strict fast day meaning that only bread and water should be eaten on that day. Holy (Maundy) Thursday and Holy Saturday are usually for preparations. Christians would clean their homes, colour the Easter eggs and prepare the Easter bread, called ‘kozunak’.