Stoyan Nenov

Stoyan Nenov, “Bulgarian Men Diving for the Cross at Epiphany”, Reuters

On January 6, known also as St Jordan’s, Orthodox Chrisitans celebrate the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist in the river Jordan, seen as his appearance to the world (epiphany) as the Son of God.

The characteristic Bulgarian St Jordan’s ritual is performed by a priest who throws a cross into a river or a lake for young men to catch it. It is believed that the first person that gets to the cross will enjoy good health throughout the whole year.

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