Chernomorets residents "lock" the sea

The seaside town of Chernomorets celebrates its holiday on St. Nicholas Day. Saint Nicholas is revered as the patron saint of fishermen and sailors.

Every year on this date, a procession is organized with the miraculous icon of Saint Nicholas to the port, where the ritual of "locking" the sea, characteristic only for this town, is performed. Local residents, whose lives are inextricably linked to the sea, throw wreaths and flowers into the water in memory of the fallen sailors and fishermen, as well as a key. In this way, they symbolically "lock" the sea until May 9, when the sea will be solemnly "unlocked" and fishermen will be able to go out and fish.