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Bulgarians across the country mark Saint George's Day with traditional celebrations

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Photo: BGNES

The memory of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious, who has been among the most revered saints since the baptism of the Bulgarians, is celebrated on May 6. St. George is one of the few saints venerated by both Christians and Muslims. From the Greek name of the saint - "farmer" St. George's Day is also a holiday of the land, agriculture and animal husbandry.
Saint George is also the patron saint of the Bulgarian army. The oldest functioning church in Sofia bears his name. There are hundreds of churches and monasteries dedicated to St. George across Bulgaria.

The day is celebrated with different customs and traditional celebrations across the country
In the medieval church of Saint George in the village of Arbanassi the feast is being celebrated with a reenactment in which a young man dressed as the saint arrives at the church on a white horse.


In the village of Bogdanov dol the shepherds make "premuz", a festive milking of the sheep.


In the village of Bezmer they tie the traditional St. George's Day swings.
Photos: BGNES, arbanassi.org, bogdanovdol.com


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