[/caption]On August 6 the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ (Preobrazhenie Gospodne). The holiday marks the day when Jesus Christ transfigured Himself and demonstrated His entire celestial glory to His disciples Peter, John and Jacob. Thus He strengthened the Apostles’ belief in His divine origin and the resurrection. Through His transfiguration Christ encouraged His disciples to endure the sufferings and trials related to His upcoming sacrificial death. The fervent Christians associate Preobrazhenie Gospodne with change and new hope.According to folk belief, on the eve of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ, the sky opens up. However, only the righteous can see it and then their wishes can come true. It is no chance that mothers keep their kids awake that night. Staring at the sky, they hope the kid to catch the moment and to ask for prosperity when God’s Sky Door opens.On this day the first grape is picked. Bulgarians take the grape to the church to sanctify it and then give it out to friends and relatives with a hope for health and fertility. Fish is also allowed despite the fifty- day fasting that starts on this day.
[/caption]On August 6 the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ (Preobrazhenie Gospodne). The holiday marks the day when Jesus Christ transfigured Himself and demonstrated His entire celestial glory to His disciples Peter, John and Jacob. Thus He strengthened the Apostles’ belief in His divine origin and the resurrection. Through His transfiguration Christ encouraged His disciples to endure the sufferings and trials related to His upcoming sacrificial death. The fervent Christians associate Preobrazhenie Gospodne with change and new hope.According to folk belief, on the eve of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ, the sky opens up. However, only the righteous can see it and then their wishes can come true. It is no chance that mothers keep their kids awake that night. Staring at the sky, they hope the kid to catch the moment and to ask for prosperity when God’s Sky Door opens.On this day the first grape is picked. Bulgarians take the grape to the church to sanctify it and then give it out to friends and relatives with a hope for health and fertility. Fish is also allowed despite the fifty- day fasting that starts on this day.