Meaning and church observance
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross, known in Bulgarian as Krastovden, is an Orthodox Christian feast celebrated every year on 14 September. It honours the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord and is one of the twelve great feasts of the Church.
The Church commemorates the discovery by Saint Helena of the cross on which Christ was crucified. According to the account remembered on this day, she found it in Jerusalem in the fourth century. The bishop then raised the cross before the people so that everyone could see it; this lifting up gives the feast its name.
Krastovden is a day of strict fasting. Even fish is excluded from the food eaten by those observing the fast.
Autumn customs and pilgrimage
In Bulgaria’s traditional calendar, Krastovden marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. It is associated with the start of the grape harvest and winemaking, as well as the blessing of seeds for autumn sowing. Folk belief holds that the weather turns colder quickly after the feast.
One of the best-known pilgrimages is to Krastova Gora in the Rhodope Mountains. Thousands of believers gather there on the night before the holiday.
Working day and name days
Krastovden is not a public holiday: it is a normal working day in Bulgaria.
It is also a name day, a celebration for people with names associated with the feast. Those celebrating include Krastyo, Krastina, Krastana, Kristian, Kristina, Stavri and Stavrina, along with people who have related names.