Bulgarian Christians Celebrate Ascension of Christ

A Bulgarian 16-17 c. religious mural of the Ascention, at the church in Seslavtsi. Photo by Pravoslavieto.com

Eastern Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria celebrate Thursday the Feast of the Ascension, the day Jesus Christ is believed to have ascended to heaven after being resurrected.

Known also as Ascention Day and Holy Thursday, the holiday is celebrated on the Thursday that is 40 days after Easter.

After his resurrection, Christ allegedly returned to his disciples and lived with them for 40 more days.

He then is said to have ascended to heaven at the foot of the Eleon mountain near Jerusalem.

In Bulgarian folk beliefs the Feast of the Ascension is called Spasovden, or Day of Salvation.

Believers devote the day to thoughts about the souls of their deceased relatives and friends.

Various fairy creatures are also said to roam the forests during the night before Spasovden.

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