Ritual "The extraction of Jesus from the grave" (Easter)

"The extraction of Jesus Christ from the grave" is a unique ritual in village of Slanotran which takes place many years during the Easter (allegedly it dates to 1906 when the village church of the Assumption was built). Ritual represents in its own way the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While part of the action follows the biblical story others are local interpretations, but it is a fact - the tradition excites great interest and collect guests from Bulgaria and abroad.

The show begins in the evening before Easter. In the excavated "grave" in the churchyard descends a large icon which depicts Jesus in human growth. The grave is guarded by two Roman soldiers with spears. Shortly before midnight, to them coming two boys dressed as angels, with torches in their hands. In this time the icon, that is laced with rope reel, slowly began to rise and appear above the ground, thereby symbolically illustrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The two guards fall to the ground and then disappear, cut down by the light and power of God. Church yard is illuminated and holiday service begin.