The Feast of Theophany, or the Blessing of the Waters, is a Christian holiday celebrated on January 6th in Bulgaria and January 19th in Georgia. In both countries, this holiday is closely associated with the blessing of water and spiritual purification rituals, though the specific traditions vary according to each culture. In Georgia, Theophany is celebrated with great reverence on January 19th. On this day, a special blessing of water takes place in churches, after which the faithful wash their faces with the holy water to cleanse themselves of sins and spiritually renew themselves. Often, believers also go to rivers or other bodies of water to immerse themselves in the icy waters to experience deeper spiritual purification and strive for a healthier life. After the rituals, families gather to celebrate, sharing festive meals that often include sweets made with honey and sugar, as well as traditional Georgian dishes such as khachapuri and lobiani. In Bulgaria, Theophany is celebrated on January 6th and also holds great religious and cultural significance. The blessing of water is the central ritual here as well, but one of the most unique traditions is the “cross retrieval.” In this ritual, holy water is taken from the church and blessed in rivers or other water sources. Young men (often) jump into the cold water and attempt to retrieve the cross that is cast into the water. This ritual is believed to bring spiritual purification and blessings for the coming year. Like in Georgia, in Bulgaria, families gather for the holiday, enjoy traditional dishes, and celebrate with joy and singing. I am well acquainted with and have personally experienced Georgia’s Theophany traditions. However, when I first saw the rituals of Theophany in Bulgaria, I was so deeply impressed that I felt a strong desire to take part in them as well. I have set a goal for myself to participate in the celebration of this holiday in Bulgaria next year, to learn firsthand about their rituals and actively engage in this profound spiritual practice.

Besiki Geldiashvili