Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Artistic
The power of faith

This is a small Christian church in a municipality near the capital of Bulgaria. Here every year on the day, which is a holiday of beekeepers, an interesting and breathtaking ritual is performed with its beauty and bright vibrations. Hundreds of believers and honey producers gather to celebrate the holiday and honor their patron saint. Thousands of jars of honey and candles are arranged in the shape of a sacred cross to illuminate the honey. The belief is that the fiery copper cross will bring health and a good harvest to beekeepers. It is also believed that consecrated honey has magical and healing powers, so it is eaten by the spoonful of it throughout the year.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2021
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Bulgaria
Copyright: © Vladimir Karamazov