On January 18, the Orthodox Church revers the memory of St. Athanasius the Great. According to popular belief, St. Athanasius is a patron of winter storms. On horseback, donned in a silk shirt, goes St. Athanasius into the forest and yells, “Go away, yo, winter, come, thee, summer!” And according to the Bulgarian popular belief, he does that each year on January 18, and that is why it is known as the Winter Atanasovden or Amidst Winter in the popular calendar.
It is said that from January 18 the day begins to grow by one millet seed. In some regions of the country people used to believe that plague was born on this day. To protect themselves from the deadly disease, people used to sacrifice a black hen to prepare a ritual meal.
Atanas, Atanaska, Nasko, Tina, Tinka, Tanyu, Taska celebrate their name day today.
The Arbanasi architectural reserve near Veliko Tarnovo is one of the most popular tourist destinations . The medieval monasteries and churches, including the Church of the Nativity, are particularly attractive. The churches of Arbanasi are museum sites..
On the third day of Christmas, December 27, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church commemorates the memory of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. His name means "crown" or "wreath" and comes from the Greek "στέφανος" (stéphanos). It symbolizes victory..
At sunset on December 25, the Jewish community begins to celebrate Hanukkah. The holiday begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar and, depending on the year, can fall in November or December. By lighting 9..
Many citizens of Sofia took advantage of the opportunity to see the Enina Apostle and the Argirov triod manuscripts which were exhibited today for two..
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