Date and public holiday status
Holy Saturday falls on the day before Orthodox Easter and is the final day of Holy Week. The Church remembers Christ lying in the tomb and awaits the Resurrection.
It is an official public holiday and non-working day in Bulgaria under Article 154 of the Labour Code. It forms part of the Easter holidays, with days off from Good Friday to Easter Monday. Holy Saturday falls on 11 April in 2026, 1 May in 2027 and 15 April in 2028.
Preparing for Easter
During the day, households finish their preparations for Easter. They knead and bake kozunak, a traditional Easter bread, prepare lamb and set the festive table. The fast continues until midnight, while preparations for the celebration are completed.
The midnight service
Late in the evening, worshippers gather in churches for the midnight service. Shortly before midnight, the lights go out and the priest brings out a lit candle, saying, “Come, receive the light.” The flame is passed from candle to candle.
At midnight, the greeting “Christ is risen!” is answered with “Indeed, He is risen!” In many years, the Holy Fire also arrives in Bulgaria from the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. It is distributed to churches across the country for use in the Easter service.
Candles and egg tapping
After the service, people walk around the church three times carrying lit candles. At home or outside the church, they tap Easter eggs against one another. According to tradition, the egg that remains unbroken brings health and strength throughout the year.
The lit candle is traditionally carried home and used to make the sign of a cross above the entrance door.