site.btaObservances: January 6

The Orthodox Church celebrates Epiphany. The third most important Christian feast day of the year.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1848: Prominent Bulgarian poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev is born in the town of Kalofer, Central Bulgaria.

1938: Diplomatic relations established with Mexico at legation level (severed December 20, 1941, restored at embassy level June 11, 1974).

1992: Town of Stanke Dimitrov (Southwestern Bulgaria) renamed back to Dupnitsa by presidential decree.

1993: Ritual of blessing of the colours of the Bulgarian Armed Forces on Epiphany reinstated by an order of the Defence Minister. The first such water blessing ceremony was held on August 19, 917, on the eve of the battle at Aheloy. The ritual was performed between 1879 to 1946.

1999: National Health Insurance Fund holds first General Meeting of Representatives.