The Anastenaria
The Anastenaria is celebrated twice each year in villages of Northern Greece and Southern Bulgaria on the feast days of Saint Constantine and Saint Athanasius.
Worshipers believe that their bodies are possessed by Saint Constantine and they are able to walk, dance, and stomp barefooted over fire. They carry religious icons and go into a state of trance as they walk across burning coal. The festivals each last for three days, and besides firewalking, include parades, animal sacrifices, feasting, and dancing. The festival culminates with the sacrifice of a sacred bull, from which every village family is given a
The Anastenaria is celebrated twice each year in villages of Northern Greece and Southern Bulgaria on the feast days of Saint Constantine and Saint Athanasius.
Worshipers believe that their bodies are possessed by Saint Constantine and they are able to walk, dance, and stomp barefooted over fire. They carry religious icons and go into a state of trance as they walk across burning coal. The festivals each last for three days, and besides firewalking, include parades, animal sacrifices, feasting, and dancing. The festival culminates with the sacrifice of a sacred bull, from which every village family is given a