Sluzhba (a service), Svetets (a saint) or Kurban (a meal offering) is a feast in honor of a Christian saint who has been chosen to be a patron of the family, the craftsman’s fellowship, etc. It is popular in all Bulgarian districts, yet in different versions. Where can we find the roots of this custom and what preparations and practices accompany the event?

This feast, which existed on the Bulgarian lands even before Christianit, was instituted as an official religion. According to Bulgarian explorers, its pagan version was preserved for a relatively long time. It had different names depending on the regional dialect peculiarities - a proprietor’s meal, grandfather’s offering, etc. Once, people used to call the owner of the house saybia (landlord). This was the man who was protecting the house, the family and the livestock. The landlord is a popular family member - a voivode, a priest or a notable village resident. According to ancient beliefs, he remained a protector of his inheritors even after his death and his spirit continued to hover above his family. When a danger was approaching the family, he appeared in the dreams of a given family member (usually the oldest man) to warn him and protect the family from misfortunes. Renowned Bulgarian ethnographer Dimitar Marinov recorded evidence about such visions and other special signs used by the saybia (landlord) to protect his people from troubles. The patriarchal community gathers once a year to pay their respect and thankfulness to its invisible patron. When Christianity emerged as an official religion, this custom changed its name, but kept its essence. The population of the Rhodopes, Pirin and Strandja mountains used to mark it until the beginning of the 20^th century as the feast of the anonymous saybia (landlord) and the feast of the holy patron at the same time.

The Christian patron-saints of the family community and their holidays are usually associated with the autumn and the winter customs. Some of the most popular family offerings are on Petrovden (the Saint Peter’s Day), Michaelmas, St. Nickolas Day, St Dimitri’s Day, St Athanasius Day, St Barbara Day, etc. The preparations for the festive table are to a great extent similar to the ritual tables typical of Christmas Eve. Bread, wine and boiled wheat with walnuts and honey are a must on the table during the family service. According to traditions, two types of bread are usually used - Bogovitsa and Svetets. The fist one (Bogovitsa, God’s pita bread, or also known as Kolak) is the bread dedicated to God and the house. Svetets, (a liturgy bread, or cherkovnik) are all names of the bread dedicated to the holy patron.

In the past to perform the custom took three whole days. People believed that the holy patron would come to the family house a day before the set date. They arranged a small table where they usually invited family members and neighbors, in order to welcome the patron in a decent manner. This table was once known as Vechernitsa (evening table) and the bread which they baked especially for the ritual supper was named Vechernik, or evening loaf.

On the festive day women used to wake up early and prepare everything necessary for the festivities. The head of the family (known as Domovladika) brings wheat and bread to the church to be consecrated at the divine service. Meanwhile, the festive table is arranged at home. The sacrificial animals such as lamb, beef, or carp (on St Nickolas Day) have a special place on the festive table. The guests attending the festivities are usually invited by the hosts in advance. However, everyone is welcome to join the celebrations, even strangers and travelers. The local priest or the house owner burns incense over the festive table. They walk round the table three times, meanwhile giving their blessing to the family. Later, the one who burns incense breaks the ritual bread into pieces, makes a small cross on each piece and pours some wine over it. Later he collects the wine in a glass and splashes it towards the ceiling shouting out loud the words: May the house flourish and the household have fun! All who attend the festive table have a piece of the consecrated bread, as well as some roast meat and boiled wheat. Guests are welcome in the house throughout the whole day and the fun lasts until late at night.

The third day of the feast is called Pateritsa (Crutch) – the time when people see the holy patron off. According to some beliefs, he leaves his crutch to the fellowship. According to other beliefs, he comes to take his crutch on this day. People lay tables in honor of the magic stick, used by the saint for blessing. This table is also known as Pateritsa (Crutch). People usually eat a meal which is left from the previous festive day. The family head breaks the ritual bread (Bogovitsa) and places half of it under the family icon. Later this bread is brought to the fields where people break it into tiny pieces and spread it over the farmlands to honor God.

It is interesting to note that the custom which was kept until the present day is handed down to the future generations by the man in the family. Sometimes a given family honors several saints. Their choice is determined by various events, misadventures, etc.

English version: Kostadin Atanasov