March 25 – The Feast of the Annunciation (Blagoveshtenie)

On March 25, the Bulgarian orthodox church celebrates the day, on which Archangel Gabriel came to the Virgin Mary to tell her she would be the mother of God’s son – Jesus Christ. This sweet news also gave the name of the feast in Bulgarian – Blagoveshtenie (from “blag” – sweet, and “vest” – news). In Bulgarian folk traditions, this day is also known as Blagovets, or “half Easter”. It is connected with the coming of spring. People believe that on March 25 all cuckoos and swallows fly back from the south, bringing the sweet news that winter has gone away. On this day, each wound is believed to heal very fast, and even the strongest poison is believed to lose its power. On March 25, people should for the first time in the year eat something green (nettle, sorrel, or dock), so that new blood should start circulating in their bodies.
On March 25, everyone called Blagovest, Blagovesta, Blagoi, Blaga, celebrate their name day.