Boboteaza & Sfântul Ioan
Epiphany and St John’s Day, when priests bless the waters, men dive into rivers for wooden crosses and namesakes celebrate.
Boboteaza, or Epiphany, and Sfântul Ioan, or St. John's Day, are celebrated in Romania on January 6th and January 7th respectively. These days mark the baptism of Jesus Christ and the feast of St. John the Baptist. The celebrations are deeply rooted in Orthodox Christian traditions and involve unique rituals and customs. The most notable event is the blessing of the waters, known as 'Sfințirea Apelor,' which takes place on the banks of rivers, lakes, and even the Black Sea.
On the morning of Epiphany, priests gather at designated water bodies to bless the waters, symbolizing the purification and renewal of life. This ritual is accompanied by hymns and prayers, creating a solemn and spiritual atmosphere. Following the blessing, young men, often dressed in traditional clothing, dive into the icy waters to retrieve a wooden cross thrown by the priest. The first to retrieve the cross is believed to be blessed with good health and prosperity for the coming year. This tradition is particularly popular in regions like Bucovina, Moldova, and Dobrogea.
The pack has 36 words spread across these domains.
Same words in both. Beginner gets more help: matching and completing. Advanced listens and spells it out unaided. Pick it in practice; it locks when you take the scored run.
Practise as often as you like, all year. The scored run happens once, while the competition is open, and cannot be retaken.