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Traditions / Sirnitza, Forgiveness or Passion week
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The date of the holiday is changing according to the day when Easter is celebrated in the Orthodox religious calendar. These changing holidays are determined by the movement of the moon. Forgiveness is one of the biggest Christian holidays. Since ancient times forgiveness is a symbol of the human moral and nobility. On this day the church calls for the believers to purify their soul, to fill their hearts with peace and love. According to the Bulgarian tradition at Passion Week the younger people visit their elder relatives - parents-in law, brothers and sisters and forgive each other about everything. The younger members of the family kiss the elders' hands and say the traditional words: "forgive me..." after which they receive the answer of "I forgive you as God always forgives." The holiday is celebrated with loud merry-making and fire rituals. The table for the holiday has fried eggs, yoghurt, leek pastry and fish. The dessert is usually a banitza with walnuts and apples or baked apples. The bread for the holiday is not ritual. After the festive dinner a small piece of a white halva is tied on a thread which is called a "hamka". The "hamka" is turned slowly in a circle and whoever manages to catch it or touch it with their teeth they will be healthy throughout the year. Typical for the day are the fire rituals. People light high fires on Sirnitza believing that the higher the flames of the fire the greater the fertility shall be. It is also believed that jumping over the fire purifies from demons and sins. People also jump over burning straw for health. Instead of love words the young people throw in the yards of their beloveds burning arrows of wild cornel tree. The fire is a kind of a sun magic which main purpose is to call for fertility.More about 'Traditions' : |
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