The Ascension of Jesus Christ celebration in the
Bulgarian Orthodox Church
At this day in Bulgarian Orthodox Church as well as the other
Orthodox Churches around the world we celebrate the
Ascension of Christ
This day is celebrated 40 days after Pascha or as also called
(Eastern).
On that day 40 days after his glorious resurrection the Lord Jesus
Christ has ascended and sat on the right hand of God. As the
gospels testify.
Here in Bulgaria it's a widely popular superstition for that
feast.
Many people belief on that date the dead who are in heaven or hell
are loosed from their either bliss in heaven or torture in hell and
they can freely come very close to those who are living.
Of course all this is just mythology and doesn't have to do nothing
with the true Orthodox Christian Church belief. This superstition
has left as a false belief which entered the people's belief as a
consequence from the Bogomils heresy teachings.
It's a well known fact that at a certain period in time Bogomils
sect who were characterized with rejection of all earthly things
(human body, nature, food etc.) as corrupt and unggodly.
Though the general heretical teachings has been devastated and the
truth by God himself with time, some of their false beliefs kept
growing among the unacquainted population until this day.
On this day in Bulgaria we also have the tradition to colour
chichen eggs in red just like on Eastern.
The reasons for the eggs colouring aren't completely certain though
I've heard from a friend this is being done as a symbol that the 40
days until the ascension has passed and it's the end of the great
days of the Lord who has been on earth in flesh 40 days after his
resurrection, just like on Eastern we colour the eggs as a symbol
for the resurrection.
On this day there is a tradition in Bulgaria that most people go
and visit the graves of their departured beloved ones to show
honour for their earthly living and remember about their live,
though again this is not really a teaching of the Church but rather
a human addition to what the Orthodox Church teaches.
The day of the Holy Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ is also
called
All Soul's day since all souls are to be resurrected and
be judged by God in the last day as God tought us through the
teachings in the Holy Bible and his Orthodox Church.
There is a practice among some people in the Church to great
themselves with "Christ has Ascended!" instead of "Hello" and on
the other side the man has to answer to the greating "Truly he has
Ascended!".
It's a really interesting recurring miracle in a near place to
Obrochishte called "The Ascension of the Lord" their is a spring
there that springs out water each year only on for the feast "The
Ascension of the Lord" in the rest time of the year the spring is
dry.
That's a real miracle that testifies for the ascension of Christ
people know that miracle recurring for many, many
years.