May 2 (BTA) - On Sunday, Eastern Orthodox Christians
celebrate Easter, the day of the Resurrection of the Son of God
Jesus Christ on the third day after he was crucified [Good
Friday] atoning for the sins of mankind. Easter is one of the
so-called mobile holidays and is determined depending on the
first spring full moon.

According to Bulgarian folk tradition, Easter also marks the
resurrection of nature for new life and the victory of spring
over winter. When it comes to both customs and rites, paganism
and Christianity are closely intertwined, which results the
colorfulness of Bulgarian Easter.

In Orthodox tradition the Resurrection of Christ is preceded by
Great Lent or Great Fast. It begins seven weeks before Easter
and includes 40 days and Holy Week. During this time, Christians
 must repent, purify their souls and bodies, and thus prepare
for a worthy celebration of the feast. Those who observe it, eat
 only plant-based foods and on Good Friday only drink water.

In Bulgaria on Easter Thursday, a special Easter sweet bread
called ''kozunak'' is kneaded for the holiday. It is usually
made in a round shape and decorated with braids. A central part
of the Easter tradition is the colouring of boiled eggs, the
first of which must be red. The bread symbolizes the body of
Jesus Christ, just as the eggs painted red symbolize his blood.

In an annual Easter ritual sacred to Orthodox Christians, the
''holy fire'' is brought over from the Church of the Holy
Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Great Saturday. The flame is
considered a miracle and is a key part of the Orthodox Easter
celebrations. After it arrives from Jerusalem, the holy fire is
distributed to churches throughout the country in time for
late-night liturgies on the eve of Easter Sunday.

On the eve of Easter Sunday, people go to church and celebrate
the Resurrection of Christ at midnight. After the festive
service, Christians take the lighted candles with holy fire and
circle the church three times, before bringing the candles home.

On Easter Sunday and Monday, children and adults have ''egg
fights'' with the coloured eggs, in which they knock the eggs
against one another. The egg that remains unbroken is called the
 ''fighter'' [''borets''] and signifies good health throughout
the year.

Traditionally, during the Easter holidays, people visit their
families and loved ones and distribute care packages of eggs and
 kozunak as a sign of love and respect. DT//
    

/DT/