THE DAY OF ANNUNCIATION

On 25th March every year, Christians celebrate the day of Annunciation. It marks the visit of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, during which he told her that she would become the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Gabriel told Mary to name her son Jesus, meaning ‘Saviour’.

Since it occurs 9 months before the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, the Annunciation marks the actual incarnation of Jesus Christ - the moment that Jesus was conceived and that the Son of God became the son of the Virgin.

The Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte served a festive liturgy in Alexander Nevski cathedral.

The feast is also called ‘Blagovets’ – the day of gladdening news. People believe that this is the day when migratory birds, such as storks, swallows, and cuckoos, fly back from the South to deliver the good news that winter is over and spring has begun. It is said that everything we do on this day will reach a successful conclusion.

Those who plant a fruit tree on that day, for example, may assume, that the tree will bear very sweet fruit. If bee keepers release the bees from the hives on this day, the honey they will harvest will be sweeter than usual. People believe that those who get up early on this day, may look forward to a rich and successful year. It is said that if you leave the house well fed and with money in your pocket, you will be financially provided all year. This festival is also associated with the spring equinox.

According to Bulgarian folk tradition, the feast table has to include "something green’, like nettles, and some fish.

Rituals to drive away snakes, forest fairies and other unclean forces were also performed in the past.