December 25 - Nativity of Jesus

The Nativity of Jesus is one of the greatest Christian holidays - for the Orthodox Church it is the second most important feast. On this day people celebrate the birth of Jesus and the beginning of people’s salvation. Divine Liturgy is held in all eparchies of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

In Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral Church in Sofia the festive Divine Liturgy is led by the head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Patriarch Neophyte.

On this day the Nativity Fast ends and thus there should be all kinds of food and especially pork dishes on the table. Hristo, Bozhin, Mladen, Radomir, Radoslav, Raostin, Christian and others celebrate their name day on this date.

December 26 – the second day of Christmas is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. On December 27 we honor Saint Stephen (Stephan’s day), and the Christmas holidays come to an end.