Christians are waiting for the Nativity of Christ. Festive services in Orthodox churches recreate the fulfillment of the "great mystery of the Incarnation" - the birth of the Savior. That is why the eve of the holiday is called Christmas Eve. The holiday is dedicated to the family, which gathers together in anticipation of the birth of Christ as the Savior of the human race, recalls to the Bulgarian National Radio Bishop Gerasim, General Secretary of the Holy Synod and Vicar of the Bulgarian Patriarch:
"Christmas Eve, an evening in anticipation of a great miracle, the Son of God, who rules the universe, appears in the world as a tiny baby born in a manger and this is the first step in the salvation of the human race. And this is the meaning of the silence of this tenderness that we have for the Christ Child on this night, that we have gathered together. It does not matter whether there are an even number of dishes, it is important to pray and really try to resemble Christ a little and therefore to try to have good deeds.
Patriarch Daniil will celebrate his first solemn services for Christmas after his enthronement as head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in June.
Tonight - at 6 p.m., His Holiness will lead the Festive Vigil in the Patriarchal Cathedral "St. Alexander Nevsky", which the "Horizont" program will broadcast live. The traditional Patriarchal blessing will be broadcast on the national radio before the evening bulletin at 6 p.m.
Due to the festive vigil at "St. Alexander Nevsky" from 4 p.m. today, parking and parking of cars in the parking lots on the square there is prohibited.
There is already a strong police presence around all temples, public institutions and shopping centers.
Police teams are also deployed on the main roads in the country. They check drivers for alcohol, drug use and speeding.
Public transport in most cities is running on a festive schedule today and tomorrow.
Many mayors have banned the use of fireworks and other pyrotechnics indoors, in entertainment venues and in public places.