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This year, more than 60 men of all ages, the youngest of whom was 18, rushed into the river to try their luck.
Immediately before the ceremony, they were given rapid antigen tests for coronavirus, and absolutely all of them gave a negative result.
The desire to catch the cross waited more than 30 minutes for the crucifix to be thrown into the water. On the river bank, Metropolitan Nikolay performed a great Epiphany ritual for the consecration of the waters under the watchful eye of the Speaker of Parliament, Tsveta Karayancheva.
The divers were close by, ready to intervene if necessary. The moment the fastest swimmer caught the crucifix, a cannon shot exploded, which was the first time. Seconds later, Nikolay Peev of Nova Zagora grabbed the cross.
Before the ritual on the shores of Maritsa, Metropolitan Nikolay consecrated the battle flags of the Plovdiv garrison. “The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has never stopped praying for the Bulgarian Army, because we know better what is the feat of the Bulgarian soldiers to protect the Homeland, peace and the constructive work of our people, because the Bulgarian Army protects from visible enemies, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. “Of the invisible. Happy Holidays! May God protect Bulgaria and our ambitious army. Many summers, “said the bishop in his speech.
Under the sound of a festive bell from the “Assumption of the Mother of God” church, the liturgy proceeded to the Maritsa River. The procession was led by a military marching band, military companies, followed by banners and church officials. Parliament Speaker Tsveta Karayancheva stood on the right side of Grandfather Nikolay, holding Mayor Zdravko Dimitrov in hand on the temple steps down and on the paved street. To the metropolitan’s left walked Regional Governor Dani Kanazireva and Major General Yavor Mateev.
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