Bulgarian Vocabulary → Celebrations and Festivities → Religious Holidays
Religion plays an important role in Bulgarian culture, and so do the religious holidays. In this lesson, we will learn about the main religious holidays celebrated in Bulgaria and the vocabulary associated with them.
Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: Common verbs & Countries Dyrzhavi Държави.
Easter - Великден (Velikden)
Easter is the biggest holiday in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and is celebrated with great excitement and enthusiasm. The holiday usually falls in April, and it lasts for three days.
During the celebrations, Bulgarians decorate eggs in various ways, from colored to intricately patterned designs. The eggs are usually boiled and then painted in bright colors.
Table: Easter-related Vocabulary
Bulgarian |
Pronunciation |
English
|
Великден |
Velikden |
Easter
|
курабийка |
kurabiika |
sweet Easter bread
|
козунак |
kozunak |
sweet Easter bread
|
яйце |
yaitse |
egg
|
боядисване на яйца |
boyadisvane na yaitza |
egg dyeing
|
цветници |
tsvetnitsi |
Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter)
|
Гергьовден |
Gergyovden |
St. George's Day (also celebrated during Easter)
Can you recognize the word "курабийка" from the lesson on Bulgarian cuisine? The sweet Easter bread shares the same name as the typical Bulgarian bread.
Christmas - Коледа (Koleda)
Christmas in Bulgaria is celebrated on December 25th. In Bulgarian tradition, the night before Christmas is called Budni Vecher (Бъдни вечер) and is a time for family to gather, share a special meal and tell stories.
Table: Christmas-related Vocabulary
Bulgarian |
Pronunciation |
English
|
Коледа |
Koleda |
Christmas
|
Свети Вечер |
Sveti Vecher |
Christmas Eve
|
Божик |
Bozhik |
Christmas Day
|
Коледница / Коледар |
Kolednitsa / Koledar |
carol singers
|
даръци |
daratsi |
gifts
Christmas in Bulgaria is not as commercialized as in other countries, and Bulgarians tend to focus more on the spiritual aspect of the holiday.
Epiphany - Богоявление (Bogoyavlenie)
On January 6th, Bulgarians celebrate the Epiphany, or Yordanovden (Йордановден), which commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.
Table: Epiphany-related Vocabulary
Bulgarian |
Pronunciation |
English
|
Богоявление |
Bogoyavlenie |
Epiphany
|
Йордановден |
Yordanovden |
the day of the baptism of Jesus Christ
|
кръщелник |
krashtelnik |
baptismal font
|
празнично наливане вода |
praznichno nalivane voda |
ceremonial water pouring
|
свещи |
sveshti |
candles
Bulgarian Christians believe that by jumping into the icy water on this day, they rid themselves of illness and bad luck.
Assumption of Mary - Успение на Пресвета Богородица (Uspenie na Presveta Bogoroditsa)
This holiday is celebrated on August 15th and is dedicated to the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken directly into heaven after her death.
Table: Assumption of Mary-related Vocabulary
Bulgarian |
Pronunciation |
English
|
Успение на Пресвета Богородица |
Uspenie na Presveta Bogoroditsa |
Assumption of Mary
|
Голяма Богородица |
Golyama Bogoroditsa |
The Great Feast of the Holy Mother of God
|
празник |
praznik |
holiday
|
икона |
ikona |
icon
The celebration is also accompanied by the tradition of preparing and sharing a special dish called "питка" (pitka), a type of bread with hidden charms or coins inside.
Sources
Other Lessons
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