A huge cross with Jesus Christ crucified on it was placed at a roundabout in Elin Pelin on the eve of Easter.
The crucified Christ was erected on a 12-meter cross and placed in the center of one of the roundabouts at the beginning of the city, BGNES and bTV specify.
The installation of the cross took place on Holy Wednesday, it is clear from publications on social networks, as a clip was shared by the temple "Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Tsars Constantine and Helena" at Elin Pelin station.
From there it becomes clear that the Crucifixion of Christ was placed in a place where many accidents have occurred.
The monument sparked discussions on social networks – about its size, color and the symbolism behind it.
The mayor of the municipality of Elin Pelin – Ivaylo Simeonov explained why this particular place was chosen for the monument: “There were many accidents here, many victims. We decided that the place is here because, on the one hand, it welcomes all our guests, on the other hand, it protects everyone who is on the road. As we have already experienced over the years – after the raising of the cross in Novi Han, both the victims and the mortality rate decreased, the birth rate increased, so we believe that in this way we will somehow prevent victims on the road“.
Bogomil Brankov, who is the chairman of the Municipal Council in the city, does not understand the polemics on social networks around the statue:
“For me, this is a symbol of faith and wherever it is placed – it is still a good place. It is something that reminds us, especially this week, that Christ gave himself for the salvation of all of us, and we must be more humble – especially these days“.
“This is the main purpose of this crucifix and it should not create such polemics between us, the people, but to unite us“, he was categorical.
Father Ivan Pleshtov is about to consecrate the cross.
“We are baptized with the cross, we are married with the cross, we are sent on our last journey with the cross and it stands as a symbol above our mound. The cross is everything to us - for the church it is joy, for the demons it is a plague. At first it is a little startling, but that is one of its tasks - to startle us, to make us look inside ourselves“, he said.