Tsvetnitsa is – one of the most beloved and expected spring holidays
For the Orthodox world today one of the most beloved and expected spring holidays – Tsvetnitsa. According to national statistics, this is the day with the most names in the calendar – they celebrate nearly 340,000 Bulgarians.
The church calls the day the entrance of the Lord, as he recalls the solemn entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem on the back of the Ocelite before the Jewish Feast of Passha. It is celebrated immediately after Lazarovden, on the last Sunday before Easter.
According to the Gospel story, the people in the city welcomed Jesus as in ancient times the kings were greeted by the winners. They removed with green twigs, covering his path with their clothes and welcoming him with the exclamation « Osanna », believing that this is the new Jewish king who will save them from the rule of the Romans.
« Jesus replied to them and said,: The hour has come to be glorified by the son of human. True, truth I say to you: if the grain grain falling into the earth does not die, it remains only; if it dies, it offers a lot of fruit. employee. (John’s Gospel, 12: 23 – 26)
Days later, Jesus was handed over to the Romans to be crucified as a robber, and the exclamations are already « crucified ».
The holiday is also known for the names Vrbnitsa, a colorful Sunday or Palm Sunday, and the tradition is after the festive worship service early in the morning the priests distribute illuminated flowers and willow twigs, with which the worshipers bless. Although a period of fasting, the church allows a fish to be put on this day.
Tsvetnitsa also has a place in the people’s ritual calendar – on this day the last Lazar custom is performed – the idol. Before lunch, all the Lazars head to the river, each carrying a wrist flowers, a willow wreath or a small bread called a doll. They are also released at the same time that girl whose wreath or bread is fastest from the water, is chosen as the godfather of the Lazarus and becomes the subject of special respect.
On Tsvetnitsa Name Day celebrate: Aglika, Peony, Bosilena, Veronica, Viola, Violeta, Varba, Varbanka, Varbinka, Gergin (A), Grapes, Dalia, Dafina, Delyan, Delyana, Dilyana, Detelina, Elitsa, Zdravko, Karamie, Kalina, Iva, Iva. Латинка, Лилия, Лиляна, Лила, Лили, Лоза, Лора, Люлина, Магнолия, Малина, Маргарит(а), Невен, Невена, Невян, Ненка, Ралица, Ренета, Роза, Росен, Росица, Ружа, Теменужка, Трендафил, Цено, Цвета, Цветелина, Цветан(ка), Цветелин(а), Цветомила, Цветомир (а), Tsvetko, Yavor, Jasen, Yasmina.
