When Forgiveness Sunday falls
Forgiveness Sunday is known in Bulgarian as Sirni Zagovezni, Proshka or Sirnitsa. It is the last Sunday before Orthodox Lent, falling seven weeks, or 49 days, before Orthodox Easter. The festive evening meal marks the start of the fast, after which dairy foods, eggs and fish are not eaten until Easter.
In 2026, it falls on Sunday, 22 February; in 2027, on Sunday, 14 March; and in 2028, on Sunday, 27 February.
Forgiveness Sunday is not a public holiday: it is a normal working day in Bulgaria.
Asking for forgiveness
The central custom is asking for forgiveness. Younger people kiss the hands of their elders, including parents, grandparents and wedding sponsors, and say “Proshtavay”, meaning “Forgive me”. The reply, “Prosteno da ti e”, means “You are forgiven”.
This exchange is a way of entering Lent without the burden of resentment or hurt feelings. It gives the day its alternative name, Proshka, meaning forgiveness.
The evening meal and village fires
The festive table includes banitsa, a pastry, along with boiled eggs, cheese and halva. A familiar game is hamkane: a boiled egg or a piece of halva is tied to a thread and swung above the table. Everyone tries to catch it with their mouth, without using their hands.
In the evening, large fires are lit in many villages. People dance the horo, a traditional group dance, around them, and young people jump over the flames for health. Young men also throw burning arrows, called oratnitsi, towards the homes of the young women they like.