Many Bulgarians Celebrate St John the Baptist on Thursday

Bulgarians with the name Ivan (and its derivatives) are celebrating St John the Baptist, or Ivanovden as it is locally known, on January 7.

As many as 371 000 (out of 7.2 million) men and women fall into that category, with the name Ivan/Ivanka, or John/Joan, and derivatives, being subject to many jokes for being "too common", even though "Georgi" (George) is now more popular, according to national statistics data.

Bearers of derivatives to celebrate on Wednesday include Vanyo, Vanya, Yoan, Ivaylo, Ivayla, Ivo, Ivona, Kaloyan (a name meaning "the Beautiful Ivan"), Zhan, Zhana and Yana.

The ritual bathing for health, typical for Epiphany, continues on Ivanovden ("Day of Ivan"), even more so in some regions of the country. Everywhere, the rite is for the newlyweds and the rite of bathing the groom is often done by the best man. Maidens, young men and people named Ivan or Ivanka, and, in Southwestern Bulgaria, new brides and baby girls, also bathe for health on January 7.

The rite bathing includes exchange of gifts. One this day people also visit their best man and his wife due to the popular belief that Saint John the Baptist has been their patron. The best man receives a bun, meat and wine.

The holiday table also includes boiled grain, beans, dried fruit, banitsa, (a round, crispy, layered pastry, usually filled with cheese and made from phyllo dough), pork ribs and sauerkraut.

John the Baptist was a mission preacher and a major religious figure who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River in expectation of a divine apocalypse that would restore occupied Israel. John followed the example of previous Hebrew prophets, living austerely, challenging sinful rulers, calling for repentance, and promising God's...