Religious Rakia

You would think that the blood of Christ is represented by wine. With this the essential part of the Eucharist rite tradition in the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches in the region would stick to this.

However rakia has crept into the deep founded religious traditions, where are you likely to fin this? Naturally in rakia country where certain religious and related rituals are still practiced across the Balkans peninsula.

Examples of these are at the end of the Orthodox Christian burial service. Visitors are offered a piece of soda bread, at the exit from the cemetery. Accompanying this is a glass of rakia. When drinking the rakia you have to spill some on the ground and say "May God receive this for him or her". It is given for the soul of the deceased, after which you finish the drink conventionally.

During wedding ceremonies, a glass of rakia is offered to all the guests by the groom's father. Then sharing a toast for the happiness of the newlyweds. This is beyond the normal custom of offering rakia to guests as a welcoming gesture.

http://bulgarianslivatree.com
http://site4truelove.com
http://skalitsafarmhouse.weebly.com