site.btaBosilegrad Marks Epiphany with Traditional Cross-Diving Ritual

Bosilegrad traditionally marked Epiphany on January 19, a feast that brought together many believers in the region. The festive programme included church service, the blessing of Epiphany water and the ritual diving for the Holy Cross.

The festive day at the cathedral church of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos began with a divine liturgy, followed by the blessing of the Epiphany water in the churchyard. The event continued in the Dragovishtitsa River, at the bridge in the town centre, where the traditional diving for the Holy Cross took place.

This year’s winner was 46-year-old Igor Vasilov from Bosilegrad, who triumphed among 24 participants. The youngest participants in 2026 were Maksim Anastasov and Matia Spasic, both fifth-grade pupils.

Epiphany was also traditionally celebrated in several villages in the Bosilegrad municipality.