site.btaEpiphany Cross-Throwing Tradition Observed by Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition Members

The tradition of throwing the cross on Epiphany (January 6) was observed at the Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island in addition to many communities across Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute (BAI) reported on Wednesday.

The holy cross was thrown into the icy waters of the Southern Ocean by the oldest participant in Bulgaria’s 34th Antarctic Expedition, Anastas Abadzhiev. Six people entered the water, with Alexander Naydenov managing to retrieve the cross, which is the goal of the ritual, BAI said.

The whole thing was carried out with the necessary safety precautions and in the presence of the base members.

Radko Muevski, commanding officer of the Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421), which supports the Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions, told BTA that Epiphany would also be marked on board the ship, which is off the coast of King George Island. He explained that transfers of Spanish and Bulgarian scientists to the research bases on Livingston Island are planned.