Bulgarian take part in centuries-old Easter pilgrimage On Easter Monday, hundreds of Orthodox Christians flocked to the Bachkovo monastery in the Rhodope mountains in southern Bulgaria to take part in a pilgrimage with a wonder-working icon of the Virgin Mary. The pilgrimage is believed to be the oldest in the country, taking place for the past 700 years. The ancient icon is brought on this day only to be carried to the mountain cave where it was hidden during Bulgaria's Ottoman rule. People believe that the icon's healing power is strongest on this day and that touching it will bring health and happiness to them and their families. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES