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News Please see new notes under the Adoption in Bulgaria - Laws & Proceedures section. FRUA, INC Washington State holds an annual Heritage CAmp in August at Camp Lakeview in Graham, Washington. Bulgarian and Rromani culture are well represented. Spaces will fill up fast. Check out http://www.orgsites.com/wa/frua-inc/_pgg2.php3 |
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Bulgarian Holidays, Name Days, Orthodox Church Days, and Traditional Celebrations
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Note that some names have more than one possible Nameday. The day to celebrate is then chosen by either the patron saint of the family, the Saint Day nearest one's birthday, or a saint that has other meaning to the family or the name.
1 January - NOVA GODINA (Bulgarian New Year's Day)
1 January - SOURVAKANE / SOURVA (St. Vassil's / St. Basil's Day)
2 January - MOUKOVDEN / RINACHOV (Sylvester, Pope of Rome)
4 January - Forefeast of the Theophany
6 January – BOGOYAVLENIE / YORDANOVDEN (Epiphany /St. Jordan's Day)
7 January – IVANOVDEN (John's Day /Ivan's Day)
8 January – BABINDEN (Old Midwives' Day)
11 January
12 January - SVETA TATIANA (St.Tatiana Day)
14 January - Feast of Nina
16 January - YUZHNITSI / RINACHOV (Verizhnitsi Feastday)
17 January - ANTONOVDEN (St. Anthony The Great Day)
18 January - ATANASOVDEN (St. Athanasius Day)
20 January - PETLYOVDEN (Rooster Day)
21 January - St. Agnea and St. Maximus the Confessor Day
22 January - St. Timothy the Apostle Day
23 January - St. Alexander of the Neva Day
24 January - St. Xenia of St. Petersburg Day
25 January - St. Gregory the Theologian Day
1-3 February - TRIOHONSI (Wolves' holidays)
1 February – sometimes celebrated 14 February in conjunction with St. Valentine's Day TRIFON ZAREZAN (The Feast Day of St. Triphon the Martyr)
2 February - SRETENIE GOSPODNE (Feast of the Meeting of the Lord)
3 February - SIMEONOVDEN (St. Simon's day)
4 February - SEMEN DEN (Seeds Day / Holy Mother Day)
6 February
8 February - St. Theodor Stratilat Day
10 February - CHOUMINDEN (Plague Day / St. Haralampius)
10 February - St. Valentin
11 February - VLASOVDEN (St.Vlassios Day / Mooning Day)
13 February - St. Eulogius, Archbishop of Alexandria
14 February - Valentines Day
14 February - ZADOUSHNITZA (the first All Souls’ Day of the year)
1 March - MARTUVANE / BABA MARTA DEN / MARTENITSA
2 March
3 March - DEN NA OSVOBOZHDENIETO (Bulgarian National Day / Liberation Day)
4 March - St.Gersimus Day
5 March - St. Adrian, monk of Poshekhonye
6 March
8 March – Women's Day
9 March - MLADENTZI (All Saints Day / 40 Holy Martyrs)
10 March - Martyr Galina
13 March - Translation of the Relics of St. Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople
14 March
17 March - St. Alexis the Man of God Day
22 March – LAZAROV DEN
23 March - Martyr Lydia
24 March
25 March - BLAGOVESHTENIE (Annunciation Day)
26 March - Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel
28 March - Saints George, Bishop of Parodus, Peter, and Prince Boyan, Martyrs of Bulgaria
31 March - Martyr Benjamin the deacon, of Persia
March-April, usually the Saturday before Mesni Zagovezni or St. Spas' day, St. Dimitar's day or St. Michael's day - GOLIAMA ZADOUSHNITSA (Great All Souls Day) -
March-April, second Sunday before lent, 8 weeks before Bulgarian Easter - MESNI ZAGOVEZNI (Meat Fasting Day / Meat Shrovetide)
March-April, the first Sunday before lent, 7 weeks before Bulgarian Easter - SIRNI ZAGOVEZNI (Shrove Sunday / Cheese Fasting)
March-April, on Sirini Zagovezni - KURKOVNICI / ORATNICI / URBALKI / OIDELELII / OLELII
March-April, for the 7 weeks before Bulgarian Easter - ZAGOVEZNI (Great Lent)
March-April, First Saturday of the Bulgarian Easter Lent - TODOROVDEN / TIDPROTSA (St. Theodore’s Day / Horse Easter)
March-April, on Todorovden - KUSHIJA
March-April, The last Saturday before Bulgarian Easter - LAZAROVDEN (St. Lazarus’ Day)
March-April, on Lazarovden - LAZARUVANE
March-April, on Lazarovden - VRUBNICA (Rituals for the Dead)
March-April, Sunday before Bulgarian Easter - TSVETNITSA-VRUBNITSA (Palm Sunday / Flowers Day)
March-April, on Vrubnitsa - KUMICHENE
March-April, last week of Bulgarian Lent - Holy Week / Great Week / Passion Week
March-April, Thursday before Bulgarian Easter - VELIKI CHETVORTUK (Great and Holy Thursday / Maunday Thursday)
March-April, Friday before Bulgarian Easter - VELIKI PETUK (Great and Holy Friday / Good Friday)
March-April, Sunday after the first springtime full moon - VELIKDEN (Bulgarian Orthodox Easter Sunday) -
March-April, Monday after Bulgarian Easter Sunday - RAZTURNI (2nd day of Easter / Messed Up Monday)
March-April, The week after Easter - TOMA (week of St. Thomas / Empty Week / Lightened Week)
March-April, Sunday of the Empty week - TOMAS SUNDAY (St. Thomas Day)
March-April, Monday after Tomas Sunday - SOFINDEN
March-April, Wednesday of the New Week after Bulgarian Easter - LADINO HORO (Nymphs’ Wednesday)
March-April, 40 Days after Bulgarian Easter - SPASSOVDEN (Ascension Day)
ZADOUSHNITSA (The Cherry All Soul's Day) - Saturday before Petdesetnica
PETDESETNICA (Pentecost / Holy Trinity / Whitsunday) - 50 Days after Easter on a Sunday
The Holy Ghost feast day - the day after Petdesetnica
ROUSALSKA SUNDAY
The week after Pentecost/Whitsunday - ROUSSALSKA NEDELIA (Midsummer Week / Mermaid Week)
6 April - St. Methodius, Equal-to-the-Apostles, Enlightener of the Slavs
11 April
12 April
14 April - MARTINIA (St. Martin’s Feastday)
17 April
18 April - Martyrs Victor, Zoticus, Zeno, Acindynus, and Severian of Nicomedia
21 April
25 April - St. Mark Day
1 May – ZAMSKIDEN (Yeremiya Day / Snake Day)
2 May - BORISOVDEN (St. Boris` day)
5 May - St. Irene Day
6 May – GERGYOVDEN (St.George Day the Victorious Day
10 May - Apostle Simon Zelotes
11 May - St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day
12 May - GERMAN GRADUSHKAR (German the Hail Man Day)
19 May - St. Dimitri of the Don Day
21 May - KONSTENTINOVDEN (St. Constantine and Helena Day)
24 May – DEN NA AZBUKATA, KULTURATA I PROSVESHTENIETO (Bulgarian Education and Culture, and Slavonic Literature Day)
30 May
1 June – Child's Day
4 June
5 June - Hieromartyr Dorotheus, Bishop of Tyre
7 June
11 June - VARTOLOMEEVDEN (St Bartholomew’s Day)
14 June -LISEEVDEN (Liseh’s Day / St.Eliseus Day)
15 June - VIDOVDEN (Vido’s day)
16 June - DUHOVDEN
17 June
20 June
21 June
22 June
24 June – ENYOVDEN / YANYUVDEN (Enyo’s Day / Midsummer Day / also birth of St. John the Baptist)
26 June - St. David of Thessalonica
29 June - PETROVDEN (St. Peter`S Day)
30 June - PAVLYOVDEN (St. Paul’s Day)
Butterflies
1 July - St. Cosmas and St. Damian Feastday / The Holy Healers`
Day
3 July - St. Anatolius, Patriarch of Constantinople
5 July - SUMMER ATANASSOVDEN
7 July
8 July - St. Procopius the Bee-Keeper Day
10 July - St. Anthony of the Kievan Caves Day
11 July - Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga, princess of Russia
15-17 July - GORESHTNITSI (The “Hottest Days” Feasts)
15 July - Equal-to-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir
16 July - St. Julitta and St. Cyricus Day
17 July - St. Marina Day
18 July - Martyr Emilian of Silistria in Bulgaria
20 July - ILINDEN (St. Elias` Day)
22 July - Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalen
24 July - Sts. Boris & Gleb Day
25 July - St. Anna`s Summer Feastday
26 July - Martyr Parasceve of Rome
27 July - St. Panteleymon the All-Merciful Day
29 July
30 July - BODORODICHNI ZAGOVEZNI (The Virgin Mary's Shrovetide)
31 July - ZAGOVEZNI
1-12 August - Makaveyan Days
1 August
6 August - The Transfiguration of God
8 August - St. Emilian the Confessor, Bishop of Cyzicus
15 August - SVETA BOGORODITSA / GOLJAMA BOGORODITSA (Holy Virgin Mary`s Day)
20 August - Samuel the Prophet Day
26 August - Martyrs St. Adrian and St. Natalia Day
29 August - SEKNOVENIE / EQUINOX (also known as Black Saint John Day)
30 August - St. Alexander of the Neva Day
31 August - St. Gennadios Patriarch of Constantinople Day
1 September - SIMEONOVDEN (St. Simeon the Stylite Day)
3 September - Hieromartyr Anthimus, Bishop of Nicomedia
5 September - Righteous Elizabeth
6 September – DEN NA SAEDINENIETO (The Unification of Bulgaria Day)
8 September - Nativity of the Theotokos
14 September - KRUSTOVDEN (The Holy Cross Day)
16 September - Martyr Ludmilla, grandmother of St. Wenceslaus, prince of the Czechs
17 September - Holy Martyrs Vyara, Nadezhda and Lyubov (Faith, Hope and Love) and their mother Sophia Day
22 September – DEN NA NEZAVISIMOSTTA (The Bulgarian Independence Day)
24 September - St. Thelka Day
25 September - Repose of St. Sergius, abbot, of Radonezh
1 October - POKROV BOGORODICHEN (Holy Protection of Mother of God)
3 October - Hieromartyr Dionysius (Dennys) the Areopagite
14 October - PETKOVDEN (St. Petka Feastday)
18 October - St. Luke Holy Apostle and Evangelist Day / St. Zlata of Muglen Day
19 October - Righteous John, Wonderworker of Kronstadt
26 October– DIMITROVDEN (St. Demetrius’s Day)
27 October - MISHINDEN (Mouse Feastday / St. Nestor’s Day)
8 November – ARCHANGELOVDEN (Archangel Michael's Day)
10 November - The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Day: Erastus, Olympas, Quartus , Rodion, Sosipater, and Tertius
11 November - St. Menas, Victor and Vicentius Day
14-21 November - VULTCHI PRAZNITSI / MRATINTSI (Wolf Days)
14 November (or 11 November) - MRATINYAK (Apostle Philip Day)
16 November - St. Matey Day
21 November - The Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy God's Mother
23 November - St. Alexander Nevski Day
24 November - KATERININDEN (St. Catherine’s Day)
25 November - St. Kliment Ohridski Day
26 November - St. Stylianos of Paphlagonia, monk
30 November - ANDREEVDEN (St. Andrew the First-Called Day / Bear Day)
1 December - Prophet Nahum
4 December - VARVARDAN (St. Varvara Day)
5 December - St. Sava the Sanctified Day
6 December – NIKULDEN (St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Day)
9 December - ANINDEN (St. Anna's Day / the Conception of the Holy Mother of God by Saint Anna)
12 December - SPYRIDONOVDEN (St. Spyridon’s Day)
14 December
17 December - Holy Prophet Daniel and the Three Holy Youths Ananias, Azarias, and Misael Day
18 December - St. Modestos Day
20 December - IGNAZHDEN (St. Ignatius the God-Bearer of Antioch Day)
22 December - St. Anastasia Day
24-27 December - (Bulgarian Christmas Celebrations)- Christmas Lent Celebrations and Fasting begin November 13
24 December - BADNI VECHER (Little Christmas / Christmas Eve)
25 December-6 January - MRASNI DNI / POGANNI DNI (Dirty Days)
25 December - KOLEDA (Big Christmas)
26 December - 2nd day of Christmas
27 December - STEFANOVDEN (St. Stefan’s Day / 3rd Day of Christmas)
30 December - Afterfeast of the Nativity of Christ / Virgin Martyr Anysia at Thessalonica.
http://www.abvg.net/Traditions/NameDays/
http://www.qppstudio.net/publicholidays2008/bulgaria.htm
Baba Marta Day & The Martenitsa
Marta is the female form of the word Mart, which means March (the month) in Bulgarian. The name March comes from the Latin Martius, i.e. ‘of Mars’, the god of war, son of Jupiter and Junona. Old Bulgarians called it “birch month” – because the birch trees begin to grow leaves and give sap. March is the only female month. It is the month of birth and re-birth, of fertility and fruitfulness.
There are many legends about Baba Marta. According to one, the month took its name from a real woman called Baba Marta, who, lured by an early spring, took her goats to graze in the mountains. There she was overtaken by a sudden change of weather, froze to death and became a stone, from which, later, water began to flow. In other versions of this story, a woman took her goats into the mountains before the first of March (before the proper date) and was punished by Baba Marta, who turned her into a stone. Eventually the stone was transformed into a spring.
On March 1st people give each other red and white tokens in the form of tassels, ornaments, twisted threads, bracelets, or a pair of small dolls made of threads. They wish each other Chestita Baba Marta! (Happy Granny March!). The male doll is called Pizho (or Pigo), and he is traditionally made of white threads. Penda is the female doll and she is made of red threads. These tokens are called Martenitsi (plural) or Martenitsa [mar-te-‘ni-tsa] (singular) - it means Little March.
Bulgaria is a beautiful country of mountains, valleys of roses, and the Black Sea. Once almost all the people lived in villages. They raised animals and crops, and were very close to nature. They observed the seasons with wonderful rituals and parties. The rituals of Baba Marta Den and the giving of the Martenitsa evolved from the closeness to nature and the seasons. Baba Marta is a very old Bulgarian tradition, more than one thousand years old. The origins of the Martenitsa are lost in antiquity. Some say that the original martenitsas were made by midwives, using the blood stained threads that were used to tie off the umbilical chord as good luck charms.
Christians living along the river Tonsos tell the story that many years ago, when people were merry they dressed in white clothes. Thus on an early morning of 1st of March, in the year when Jesus was to come among the people, Virgin Mary, dressed in white, stood in the middle of the room in front of the fire, cut a strip of her skirt and dyed it with her virgin blood. Then she twisted it with another white strip and decorated her breast. She went out on the verandah to meet the first rays of the sun and announce to the universe the expected fertility and to bless it. Since then the twisted white and red is called “martenitza”. On the first day of March all Bulgarian women, all children and the domestic animals are decorated with it to be healthy, to be fertile and bring happiness to the family. Those Christians believe that this Bulgarian custom expresses homage to the Mother of God.
The newest of these folk legends says that the early Bulgarians were fighting a lot, and it seemed the wars would start at the beginning of March. And, as the men went off to war, they would leave their families at home. The women were especially unhappy about this, being understandably quite concerned about the lives of their husbands. They would give to their husbands small red and white tokens, which were either red and white cloth strips for the hand, or small woolen figures of a white girl and a red boy (Pijo and Penda). The red color was chosen to represent the blood of the warriors, (which their wives didn't want spilled) while the white was the pale color on the faces of their women as they waited for their husbands to return home. The exchange of these tokens was made to remind the warriors about their families and to please Baba Marta, so she would not change her mood so frequently; put another way, to ward off problems with the weather and die from the cold.
Bulgaria is not the only country that celebrates the coming of spring on the first of March. Many countries have spring rituals. There are even some countries that have traditions very similar to the tradition of the martenitsa. A tradition in Romania and Moldova on March 1st is called the Martisor. The custom is supposed to have its roots in Ancient Rome to homage in the Roman New Year (March 1st) to Mars, god of war and agriculture. Romanian men offer Romanian women a jewel, flower, heart or other decoration tied to a red and white string. If one wears the red and white string, they will be powerful and healthy for the coming year. The martisor is worn for 12 days.
Moldova’s Martisor is very similar to Romanias, except that people give each other a gold or silver brooch on a red and white string that is pinned to the lapel. After 12 days they buy sweet cheese to make their faces beautiful and white for the year to come.
In Greece bracelets are braided from red and white string. They are called Martis and they are given to children on March 1. If children wear the Martis the sun of early spring will not burn their faces. The bracelet is symbolic of rosy cheeks and a white complexion. Martis are worn until the midnight mass of the Greek Orthodox Easter. On this day, bonfires are lit and the bracelets are removed and thrown into the fires.
Wherever these March talismen originated, they are the symbol of the wakening of the earth and new life.
Martenitsi are usually made of red and while silken or woolen threads. The red and white colors please Baba Marta. It is hoped that if she is pleased she will not make the people cold, and that Spring will come as soon as possible. Other color combinations, such as red and blue, blue and white, red and green, or even several colors together, occurred in the Rhodopes and northwestern Bulgaria. The traditional Martenitsa also had various objects woven into it: small silver coins, garlic cloves, blue beads, cornelian buds, iron rings, wooden spoons without handles, horse tail hairs, or snail shells. Many of these were included to ward off evil spirits.
Traditionally the white color of the Martenitsa symbolized human nature, man, strength and the sun. It was involved with the sun cult. The red color represented woman, health, blood, conception and birth. The Martenitsa was an amulet to protect against the powers of evil. The twisted white and red threads protected the wearer from black magic. While making the Martenitsa, the maker had to keep away from the fireplace or else the charm would lose its magic power. The Martenitsa traditionally had to be made with one’s eyes closed so that snakes should become blind and not notice passers-by.
Later, influenced by Christianity, the red of the Martenitsa became a symbol of virginity, virtuousness, and the war against evil. It brings protection against illnesses and give health and strength, so cherished at the end of the winter when the energy of life can be so low. The white color became the color of Christ, and now symbolizes long life. Together they symbolize the blood of the new life that is awakening in the snow-covered country.
Many of the traditions of the Martenitsa remain the same in Bulgaria today. The modern Martenitsa symbolizes new life, conception, fertility, spring, and harmony in nature and in people's lives. It is believed to preserve the person wearing it from any bad luck or illnesses, bringing joy, health and long life.
When a Martenitsa is received, it is attached to one's clothing. Young mothers and children may tie a Martenitsa around their wrists (usually the right one). Sometimes it is hung on newborn livestock, pets, or other animals. Houses have their own Martenitsa, as well, hung on the handles of the door. Some of the fruit trees and vineyards also have their own Martenitsi.
These martenitsi are worn until a sign of Spring is observed. Traditionally this involves seeing one of the first spring birds, such as a stork, cuckoo, crane, or swallow. (In many areas of the United States, Bulgarians have adopted the Robin as their sign of Spring). Other signs include a blossoming tree or snakes coming out into the sun. Only after seeing that sign do we know for sure that spring has truly arrived. Only then can the Martenitsa be removed.
What happens next depends upon which part of the country you are in. The Martenitsa is usually disposed of in one of several ritual ways. In some areas the Martenitsa is tied on a blooming fruit tree or flowering rose bush to make the plant healthy, transferring the good luck from oneself to the tree. This would hopefully bring good crops and good health for the rest of the year. A wish is made, which they say will always come true.
In other areas it is placed under a large stone (mostly by unmarried girls). Predictions are made by the oldest women of the home when she returns to the stone nine days later. She looks to see what is under the stone. If a snake is nearby, it will bring bad luck. Most bugs forecast good luck. If there is a beetle, then it will be a healthy, successful year. Ants symbolize success that will be reached by hard work, and also mean that a lot of lambs will be born. Worms are good luck and symbolize that a lot of horses will be born. Ladybugs and other larger bugs indicate that there will be more cows that year. A spider could foretell bad health and lack of success. Parents sometimes secretly place a coin under the stone where their children hide their Martenitsi, similar to the tradition of the Tooth Fairy in the United States.
In Southern Bulgaria people believed that martenitsa fastened to the wrists should be taken away when you see a flying stork. If the stork wasn't flying that was a symbol for a very lazy summer. The martenitsa is to be removed from the neck when a swallow is seen to symbolize a graceful neck as long as that of the bird.
This widespread practice of wearing of Martenitsa and its exclusive stability in the Bulgarian folk culture is explained with the belief in the magical power of the color red. Along with garlic, metal coins, blue beads, and wolf's or snake's tooth, the red woolen thread is believed to have the magic power to chase away evil spirits, demons and illnesses.
Bulgarians don't practice all of these rituals nowadays. The necessity of most of these preventive measures has decreased. But there is still enthusiasm for this holiday, especially with the children. There are many songs to Baba Marta also, that have been kept from the ancient times and are still sung today.
The Martenitsa... this magical amulet inherited by our children's predecessors is the first sign of the coming spring. That's why each Bulgarian wears Martenitsa on the first of March, symbolizing ones faith that hereon everything will be better. People will smile because they believe they have won the benevolence of Baba Marta.
The coming of Spring is observed in other ways besides the Martenitsa. In the country, every year in the morning on the first day of March, a fire is started in the backyard of each house, with plenty of smoke. Everyone living in the house has to jump over the fire three times, facing the rising sun, to clean off any evil spirits, keep snakes and lizards way, and keep all illnesses away.
People believe also that Baba Marta will visit only a very clean and tidy house. Winter is swept out of the houses and Spring cleaning begins. Housewives used to hang out red aprons, belts, rugs or twisted threads in front of their houses, on the fences and tree branches, as protection against illnesses and poverty, to meet Baba Marta “clean and red”, keeping her in good spirits. When Baba Marta saw these things she would start laughing and make the Sun shine bright again. Many times a red cloth is hung on top of the door or under the eaves and stays there until Mladenci (March 22nd) so that Baba Marta stays happy and the weather will be nice.
Baba Marta has specific requirements of the people she meets on the first day in March. The old women do not go out early in the day because they do not want to make Baba Marta angry and break the weather. Baba Marta likes to meet young girls and women on the first of March, and when she does she will make the weather warm and nice. Women do not wash or put out white clothes because this may cause hailstorms and frost. They do not weave nor boil anything because they do not want thunder to strike.
In some parts of the country the first week of March is called Counting Days. These days determine what the weather will be like during the year. In some areas the husband asks the wife to choose one day in March. This is called Picking of a Day. If it is sunny and warm on that day, that bodes well for the coming year. But if it is rainy or cold, the rest of the year will be so too.
In March people may be reluctant to have their hair cut so that they do not "cut" their brains and they become stupid.
Baba Marta is also a Name Day celebration for anyone named Martha, Martin, or Martina.
HOW TO MAKE A MARTENITSI
Martenitsi can be made by all ages, from preschoolers to grandmothers. You can make it very simple or let your imagination run wild in complex designs.
For younger children use yarn and a big bead. You can set it up ahead of time by having the yarn already wrapped and tied.
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TASSEL STYLE MARTENITSA
SUPPLIES
DIRECTIONS:
There are many traditional beliefs and stories regarding the origin of the red-and-white symbols of the Martenitsas.
It is said by some that the tradition of the “Martenitsa” developed during the founding of Bulgaria in 681 AD. There was much fighting during that time. Usually the fighting calmed down during the winter, but started up again at the very beginning of March. Many soldiers had to leave their homes and their families. The women were sad, so they gave their husbands red and white tokens, either red and white cloth strips for the hand, or small woolen figures of a white girl and a red boy. The red was said to represent the blood of the soldiers, which their wives didn’t want spilled. The white was said to represent the pale color on the faces of their women as they waited for the soldiers to come home. The exchange of these tokens was made for two reasons. The first was to remind the soldiers about their families. Second was to please Baba Marta, so that she would not change her mood so frequently and the solders would not have problems with the weather. Soldiers frequently died form exposure in the early spring because of sudden, unexpected cold spells.
Still others claim that the red and white colors symbolize the snow and the blood from an old story where, a stork brings the blessing for health to a small child from its parents, who are far away.
THE STORY OF KHAN ASPARUKH
Many centuries ago Khan Asparukh left his home in the distant Tibet Mountains in search of new fertile land for his people to live on. He passed through many rivers and mountains until he finally reached the lands of the Slavs, who accepted him and his people as dear guests. Slav women, wearing white outfits, would bring drinks to the tables full of food.
But the Khan did not enjoy it, he was sad and homesick as he missed his mother and his dear sister Kalina. He sat by the huge river running in that distant land and tears ran down hid sunburnt face, while he prayed to the Gods and the Sun for some miracle to happen.
And it did happen! A swallow landed on his shoulder and the Khan shared all his sorrow with it. Then the swallow flew away, back to the lands he came from. With a human voice the swallow told Kalina that her brother had found a new land for his kingdom but that he was missing her much.
Kalina was very happy to hear from the Kahn – so she decided to send her brother a token that she had received the news. She made a small bunch of some green bush leaves, which she bound with a white woollen thread, and then made knots at the end of the thread as a greeting sign. She sent the swallow to take that bunch back to her brother.
The swallow flew fast as lightning and very soon it landed back on the Khan’s shoulder again. But due to the long flight its wing got hurt and some blood drops dyed the white woollen thread. The Khan was so happy to see the green bunch, he understood his sister’s greeting by the knots she had made, and so he pinned the bunch on his chest. The Khan ordered his men each to put a small bunch of twisted red-and-white thread on that day each year, for health and heavenly blessing. That happened on the first day of March, and has remained a tradition ever since.
The founder of Great Bulgaria was on his death bed. In his last hours Kubrat wanted to bring home to his offsprings-Bayan, Kotrag, Asparoukh, Kuber and Altsek not to sever the still tenuous link between the different Bulgarian tribes. His sons vowed to defend Bulgaria.
Soon after their father`s death, the Khazars invaded their lands. The Khazar`s Khan Ashiba succeeded in conquering the capital Ababa.Houba, Kubrat`s daughter was taken prisoner Ashiba. Wishing to give her brothers a chance to opt for freedom, Houba tried to commit suicide. However the guards stopped her.
Her brothers kept their vows in different ways. Bayan stayed with his sister and recognized the supremacy of the Khazars.Kotrag went northwards, to the River Bolga, while Asparoukh, Kuber and Altsek went south to search for a land without oppressors.
They secretly arranged it with Houba to send her word by a golden thread tied to the leg of a bird, whenever they were able to find a free land.
One day a falcon sent by Asparoukh flew into Houba`s room. Bayan and Houba had decided to leave secretly. Just as they were looking for where to cross the river Danube, pursuers spotted them and overtook them.Trying to find a ford, Houba let the falcon free. She had tied a white thread to his leg and handed it to her brother.
When the bird was about to take off, an enemy arrow pierced Bayan and warm blood drops stained the white thread.Nevertheless, both Bayan and Houba managed to reach the land Asparoukh had found. Asparoukh welcomed his dying brother and his sister. He tore pieces of white-and-red stained thread and adorned his soldiers with them.
Once, long ago, in Bulgaria there lived a Tsar named Pizho. Pizho was in love with a young woman named Penda, but in the summer before they could be married an enemy snuck into the castle and kidnapped poor Penda away!
Pizho was frantic! He called his friend and best soldier to him and asked him to search for Penda.
"Do not worry, my Tsar. I will find Penda", vowed the soldier, "no matter how long it takes. I will bring her home to you!"
And so the soldier set out along the seaside. As the hot sun beat down, he searched every port and every fishing village. He asked the fishermen, but they had not seen her. As the days got hotter, the flowers were blooming, and the fragrance of blooming roses drifted from the inland he continued to search, but he found no sign of Penda.
Now the days were starting to get shorter and there was a little cool in the air as the soldier started down into the valleys. He searched along every bend and crook in every river. He entered the forests as the leaves were beginning to turn bright red and orange. He came to the farms at harvest time and searched among the seed laden sunflowers, ripe squashes and bright red tomatoes. He asked the farmers, but they had not seen her. He continued to search, but he found no sign of Penda.
The trees became bare, and the snow began to fall as he climbed into the mountains. He seached every trail, every rock. He asked the woodsmen, but they had not seen her. He continued to search, but he found no sign of Penda.
Now the soldier had been gone many months. It was winter. He was tired, cold and hungry, but still he continued on. Then one day there was a little warmth in the air as he approached a little village in the mountains. He was thirsty, and so he looked for the town well for a drink. As he approached the well he was surprised to see a circle of 12 old people sitting on the ground, 11 men and one woman. They were whispering, and their voices sounded like dry leaves rustling in the wind. The soldier was curious, but he knew that a young man did not approach his elders unbidden, so he began to draw up some water to drink.
The old woman rose and walked to the well. The soldier immediately offered her a drink. When she was satisfied he took the cup and drank himself. Finally his curiosity got the better of him and he asked, "Excuse me, baba, but why are you and your friends here sitting on the cold ground? Are you lost? Are you not well? Is there some service I can be to you?"
"Oh," the old woman smiled and said, "I am Baba Marta and these are my brothers. We are the 12 months of the year. We sometimes get together here to discuss things. But you, you are a soldier of Tzar Pizho. What are you doing here so far away from your home?"
So the soldier told Baba Marta the story of Penda's kidnapping and his journey to search for her.
"You have been very kind to me." said Baba Marta, "What you seek, you shall find." And at that moment a sudden wind blew dust and snow into the soldier's eyes and he could not see. After awhile it cleared. He could see again, but the old people had vanished!
The soldier set off on the trail again. He rounded the first bend and saw a huge fortress. He knocked at the door and Penda appeared! The soldier was overjoyed to find Penda at last, but Penda fell to the ground weeping.
"Whatever is wrong, Penda?" asked the soldier. "Pizho has sent me to find you and bring you home. Come, lets go."
"The enemy who kidnapped me is just gone hunting and I fear he will come back before we can leave and kill you!" wept Penda.
And just then the soldier heard running behind him. He turned and faced the enemy. They fought, but good had strength and the soldier was victorious.
Penda was overjoyed. She wanted to send a message to her beloved Pizho telling him that they were on their way home. She wrote a message to be carried by carrier pigeon and rolled it into a little tube. Then she pulled some white threads from her underdress to tie the little message to the pigeon's leg and let him fly towards home.
Now it was a long way home for that little carrier pigeon. He had to fly hundreds of miles, over the mountains, down into the farmland, and over the forests. He was tired, and one time came too close to a tree branch. The branch scraped his leg, and a few drops of red blood stained the white threads holding the note.
Finally the pigeon arrived home and into the hands of the Tsar. Pizho so happy at word that his beloved was returning that he pinned the blood stained white threads to his shirt and would not remove them until Penda was actually home and safe in his arms.
Pizho and Penda were married, and ruled Bulgaria wisely for many long years. The soldier was richly rewarded with everything he could ever dream of. Every year in the spring from then on the people of Bulgaria wore strands of white and red thread on their shirts to remember Penda's safe return.
copyright 2008, Terry M. Mandeville
Nameday for Vasil/ka/ena/iy, Vesela, Veselin/a (meaning kingly).
see the file Bulgarian New Year and Sourvakane Celebrations
see the file Bulgarian New Year and Sourvakane Celebrations
Nameday for Goran, Goritsa, Ognyan/a, Plamen/a, Serafim, Silvia, Sylvester, Sylvia (“silva” means ‘forest’ in Latin, while “gora” means the same in BG – both associated with power, strength and freshness)
see the file Moukovden
Nameday for Tikhomir/a(meaning “silent” and the equivilant of lucky). Silence is a prelude to revelation and peacefulness ("Tikhon" means "a happy person").
Nameday for water names, Bistr, Bogdan/a/ka, Bogolyub/a, Bogomil/a (meaning "Dear to God"), Boian/a, Bona, Boncho, Bonka, Boyan/a, Bozhan/a (both meaning "God's gift"), Bozhidar/a/ka, Bozhil, Dan/a/ka, Daniel/a, Iordan/ka, Jordan/a/ka (named after the holy river of Jordan), Yonka, Yonko, Yordan/a/ka
see the file Yordanovden
Nameday for Ioan/a, Ivail/a/o, Ivan/ka, Ivayl/a/o, Ivet, Ivo, Ivon/a, Jan/a, Jean, Jon/ko/ka, Kaloyan/Kaloian, Van/ya/yo, Yoan/a, Yon/ka/ko, Yoto, Zhan/a (whose names all have the basic meaning of God`s blessing or Divine Grace)
see the file Ivanovden
see the file Babinden
Nameday for Bogdan/a/ka, Bogomil/a, Bona/ka, Dana/ka, Teodosii
Nameday for Tan/ya/ia/na, Tatiana from the Latin "ustroitelka".
Nameday for Nina, Ivanina
see the file Yuzhnitsi
Nameday for Andon/a, Antanas/ka, Antica, Antoan/a/ela, Antoanet/a, Anton/a/ia(meaning `priceless` in Latin), Antonet/a, Antoniela, Antoni/ja/ya, Antonina, Don/a/cho/ka, Tona/ka, Tony/a, Tonyo, Totka, Tota/ka, Toto
see the file Antonovden
Nameday for Atanas/ka, Doncho, Donka, Donna, Donny, Donyo, Jivko, Nacho, Nasa, Nasca/ka, Naso, Nasya, Tan/ja/ya, Tana, Tanichka, Tanka, Tinka, Titka, Traian
see the fileAtanasovden
Nameday for Efthimios, Eftim/ka, Euthim, Evtim/a/ka/ija (from the Sanskrit word "petrol", which indicates infinity, hidden God. Some interpret the name as "blagodushie".)
see the file Petlyovden
Nameday for Agata, Agma, Agnes/a, Inesa, Maksim/Maxim
Nameday for Timotey (quite a rare name in Bulgaria)
Nameday for Aleko, Aleksandar/a, Aleksandr/a/e/ina, Alexander, Alexandr/a/e, Alla, Sashka, Sasho, Tsanko, Aleksandrina (or could be celebrated August 30, December 4, or November 23)
Nameday for Aksini/ja/ya, Axinia, Ksenia, Kseni/ja/ya, Poliksena
Nameday for Grigor/ina, Grisha (which means "being on the alert, staying awake")
see the fileTriohonsi
Nameday for Lozan, Rad/a/ka/ko, Trifon/ka, Veselin/a
see the fileTriphon Zarezan
Nameday for Radost, Radostin/a
Nameday for Moncho, Simeon/a/ka, Simon/a
see the fileSemen Den
Nameday for Svetla/na, Svetlomir/a
Nameday for Haralambi (from the Greek "Haralampios" meaning "lit by joy"), Haralampi/j, Hari, Hary. Women make round loaf, which spread with honey, break it into four short and distributed to neighbors in the four directions to be healthy at home and cheerful throughout the year. In some villages celebrate this day as names for Valentin/a, Valeri/a , Valery/a (from the Latin Valentinus - healthy, strong)
Nameday for Valentin
see the file St. Valentin
Nameday for Vlasso. People celebrate this day in honor of draft animals, in order that they not be sick.
Nameday for Evlogi
Nameday for Valentin
Nameday for Boiko, Evdoki/a/ya, Marta, Martha, Martin/a
See Baba Marta Day & The Martenitsa below
Nameday for Milen/a
also Hieromartyr Theodoretus of Antioch
Nameday for Bojidar/a, Dora, Teodor/a, Todor/a
On March 3, 1878, the Peace Treaty of San Stefano (a tiny town near Istanbul) between Russia and the Ottoman Empire was signed which brought Bulgaria back to the political map. The Peace Treaty of San Stefano marks the revival of the Bulgarian State, submerged under Ottoman rule since the end of 14th century.
Nameday for Gerasim
Nameday for Adrian/a
Nameday for Bella, Krasimir/a, Miroslav/a
see the file Women's Day
Nameday for Mladen/a/ka. People believe that on this day the Lord causes the land to warm and the sun is given to the summer. Plants can now be sown. Young men kill a snake. Basil seeds sown on this day will raise a love of a girl you want.
Nameday for Galina, Galya, Galyo (which means ‘black, tawny’)
Nameday for Nikifor
Nameday for Venelin
Nameday for Aleko, Alex/a, Alexey, Alexi
Nameday for Rosen, Rositsa.
Name day for Lidia, Lydia
Nameday for Zahari/na (from Hebrew and means "God remembers")
Nameday for Blaga, Blagovest/a, Blagoy, Blagun/a, Bonka, Dobri, Dobrin/a/ka, Eva, Evangeli/ca/ja, Evangelin/a, Evantija, Evelin/a, Iveline, Marian/a, Vangel/ija, Vangelin/a
Nameday for Gabriel/a, Gavrail/a, Gavril/a
Nameday for Albena, Boika/Boyka, Boyan/a, Boyko
Nameday for Veniamin
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
The Koukeri ritual at Sirni Zagovezni is a very important tradition.
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
Nameday of everyone named Bojidar/a/ka, Bozhidar/a/ka, Dora, Teodor/a/ka, Theo/dor/dorka, Todor/ka (from the Greek meaning "Gift of God")
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
Nameday for everyone named Lara, Lazar/ina, Lazo. Older people believe that Lazarus is the master of the woods and bushes, helps people to purify them and make a fallow land. That is why in folklore Lazarus carries an ax. Lazar's name comes from Eleazar - God helps.
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
Nameday of everyone named after a flower, bush, tree, or plant - such as Borjan/a/ka, Boryan/a (pine tree), Bozhan/a, Clear, Dafin/a/ka , Dafnis (laurel, bay tree), Daliya (dahlia), Detelin/a (clover), Edelvajs, Edelvays (edelweis), Elka (Fir tree), Fidan/a/ka (sapling), Flora, Florin/a (flower), Gergina, Iglika, Kalin/a, Kamelia, Karamfila, Latinka, Lilia/na, Margarita, Nevena, Ralitza, Roza, Temenuga/Temenuzhka, Tsvet/an/ana/elina, Tzviatko, Varban, Verbal, Violeta, Vurban/a, Yasen, Yasna, Yavor, Zdravk/o/a, Zjumbjul etc
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
Nameday of everyone named Svetla, Veliana, Velich/ka/ko, Velik/a/o, Velin/a, Vili
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
Nameday of Toma (the BG version of Thomas), Tomislav/a
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
Nameday of everyone named Spas/ka
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
Nameday of everyone called Trayan/a, Trayko
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
See the File Bulgarian Easter Holidays
Nameday for Strahi
Nameday for Lazar, Stanislav/a
Nameday for Denica, Ralica, Stela, Zornica
Nameday for Martin/a
see the file Martina
Nameday for Roberta
Nameday for Vesela, Viktor/ia
Nameday for Jelio
Nameday for Marko
also DEN NA TRUDA (Labor Day)
Nameday for Ermen/a/ko, Hermelina, Maia, Maya, Tamara. Old people believe that on this day if you work in the field you will be bitten by snake during the summer. Girls go into the field, gather wild garlic, which bring home to keep them from evil magic, snake looks, and bachelor "zmeyove" (dragons). In the lands along the Tunja River on that day people plant cabbage so that the snakes will shrink, and the sabbage will be narrowed, tight and healthy.
Nameday for Boriana, Boris, Borislav/a (deriving from “pine”)
Nameday for Irene, Irin/a/ey, Mira, Miroslav (which means ‘peace’)
also the Bulgarian Army Day
Nameday for Dzhurdzha, Galya, Gama, Gancho, Ganka, Gergan/a, Georgen/a, Georgi (George), Georgiel/a, Giergam/a, Gina, Ginka, Girgin/a, Gjurg/a/enena, Gotse, Gurgen/a, Gyurg/a, Gyuro/a (from "Georgius" comes from Greek and means "farmer").
see the file Gergyovden
Nameday for Simona
Nameday for Kiril/a, Metodi
see file Cyril and Methodius
Nameday for German, Iskra. On this day women make clay man with all male attributes, which are called Germancho or Kaloyancho. They put it on the Turkish tile, ply him with flowers and bury him near the river. Then they make a "pomenalna" table so that there will be a fruitful rain. People celebrate German as the first of the four gradushkari brothers.
Secondary Nameday for Dima, Dimca, Diman/a, Dimi/tar/ter/trin/trina, Dimka, Dimo, Dragan, Drago, Mitko, Mitra
Nameday for Aida, Alana, Alena, Dicho, Dinko, Elen/a/ka/ica, Eli/tsa, Elin/ka, Elka, Galen/a, Galin/a, Gal/ya/ia/ja, Galinka, Kostadin/a/ka, Konstantin/a, Koycho, Len/a/ko, Linka, Stanimir/a, Stoian. On this day in the Strandja Mountain area the fire-dancers celebrate. They play barefoot on the coals. This is done for health and fertility.
also St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day (Celebrated)
see file Cyril and Methodius
Nameday for Emil/ia/ya (from the Latin "pustoslovya").
The first International Children’s Day was celebrated in Turkey in 1920, and adopted by the UN in 1955. The purpose of this day was to celebrate childhood, to initiate action to benefit children worldwide, and to promote understanding between children worldwide. The holiday coincides with the beginning of summer, the end of the school year, and is treated as a holiday. Schools usually organize activities, and there are many activities in local parks and community centers. Parents give their children small gifts.
Nameday for Panaiot, Ruslan
Nameday for Doroteia
Nameday for Valeri/a (from the ancient Latin generic name Valerius - I am strong).
People celebrate Saint Vartolomey as the second of four gradushkari brothers. People honor this day so that the summer will not be so hot and the winter not so cold. They make ritual bread, which is distributed to neighbors.
Name day for Elissey, the third gradushkar brother. Old people venerate this day and in honor of the disease liso "in which people become" Lysias. They cut their hair and beard and mustache. They make special "Lysias cakes".
Nameday for Avgustin/a. Bulgarians honor on this day last gradushkar brother - "Species", but only those who already honor the other three. People believe that this brother punishes sinners. Therefore the folk proverb "Vidovden will come."
Bulgarians believe that on Maundy Thursday the souls of the dead are all freed from the ground. People usually gather flowers and walnuts, and make a great noise to "cheat" the souls. Then the souls go away until next year. An "Izprovodyak" is made for the souls, a feast is eaten, and songs are sung.
Nameday for Asen/a, Asparuh, Chavdar, Desislava, Krum, Momchil, Rumen/a, Rumian/a
Nameday for Biser
Nameday for Iasen, Iavor
Nameday for Goryan/a
Nameday for Biliana, Diliana, Enco, Enio, Ianaki, Ianita, Jan/ka/ko, Yan/a/ka/ko/ita. The day of herbs. In the early morning one goes "to see how the sun is given" three times. Whomever is able to "wash in the dew" - Disease will flee from him until next Midsummer. Then the girls do "Midsummer bulya and croon" rings to see what young man loves them. There are songs.
Nameday for David
Nameday for Kamen, Pavel, Pavlin/a (although they rather celebrate on June 30th), Pencho, Penka, Pesho, Petar, Peter, Petra/na, Peyo, Polya (the "stone"). A chicken is slaughtered on the housetops threshold for health and strength.
Nameday for Apostol, Pavel, Pavlin/a, Polya. On Pavlyovden people work to prevent fires. Fires must not be lit.
Butterfly is a custom, for which no exact date fixed. Usually made in "Petrov months". Girls pick lots of greenery (usually branches of elder, ivy or willow). The "butterfly" is chosen, a little girl (8 - 12 years), or orphan "iztarsache" (last child in a crowded family). There is a grandfather Lord of health and fertility.
Nameday for Cosma, Damian/a, Damyan/a, Kozma, Krassimir/a, Krassina, Kuzman. This is considered a "severe" day. This is a feast day, and people should not work, so as not to get sick. Honor on this day folk healers - fortune teller, and bayachki chekrakchii. Mutton soups are traditional. Cows are slaughtered for good health. Ill people must leave a piece of clothing near a "gizdilo" to get rid of their disease.
Nameday for Anatol/a/ija, Tolya
Nameday for Atanas/ka (althou they rather celebrate on January 18th)
Nameday for Nedelcho, Nedelya, Nedialka/Nedyalka, Nedyalko
Nameday for Prokopi. On this day each woman makes "travnena" cake (ritual bread image of the hive). This bread is distributed only to family for health and longevity.
Secondary Nameday for Andon/a, Antanas/ka, Antica, Antoan/a/ela, Antoanet/a, Anton/a/ia(meaning `priceless` in Latin), Antonet/a, Antoniela, Antoni/ja/ya, Antonina, Dona/ka, Tona/ka, Tony/a, Tonyo, Totka, Tota/ka, Toto
Nameday for Oleg, Olga
It is believed that the black reaper comes during these three days. July 15th is Churuta, the 16th is Pyrliga, and the 17th is Marina which is fire. People believe that if one does not comply with certain prohibitions (not working in the field, in the garden or home) during Goreshtnitsite, file will fall from the sky and the fire will burn the house and fields.
Nameday for Vlada, Vladena, Vladimir (from the ancient "great ruler").
Nameday for Iulia/n, Julia/n, Yuli/ya, Yulian/a (on behalf of the Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar).
Nameday for Marin/a (meaning ‘firm, constant’)
Nameday for Emil/ia/ian
Nameday for Bojan/a, Eli, Ilia/na, Ilina, Iliya/n, Ilk/a/o. Connected with the Slav god of thunder and lightnings, Perun. Povelyava was a folk tradition in honor of Eli. People attend and make a common table. Young men who are now single are the young cocks, who will soon replace the old roosters.
Nameday for Lena, Magda, Magdalena, Miglena
Secondary Nameday for Boriana, Boris, Borislav/a
Nameday for Ana, Enko, Iana, Yana
Nameday for Paraskeva
Nameday for Dobra, Dobri, Dobrin/a/ka, Pancho, Panka, Panteley. People called Saint Panteleymon - Panteley passenger or Voden Panteley. People do honor to the earth to prevent flooding. This day honors fortune tellers, and bayachki chekrakchii. Bulgarians believe that Panteleevden swallows and storks are collected to go to zimovishte, or as the old saying: "go storks snow.
Nameday for Kalin
A table is made with ritual "zagoveznishka cake", which is broken and not cut. Dishes are in oil.
In some villages the next three days, or more, are trimiryat - hunger to be purified telom and soul.
Nameday for Zdrav/ko/ka
Nameday for Emil, Emilia/n, Emiliya/n
Nameday for Mara, Marcho, Margarit/a, Maria, Marian/a, Mario, Mariya
Nameday for Samuil
Nameday for Adrian/a (after the name of the Roman Commander), Adriyan/a, Natali/a/ya (meaning `natal, native`).
Nameday for Anastas/i/iya
Nameday for Aleko, Aleksandar/a, Aleksandr/a/e/ina, Alexander, Alexandr/a/e, Alla, Sashka, Sasho, Tsanko, Aleksandrina (or could be celebrated January 23, December 4, or November 23)
Nameday for Gena, Geno
Nameday for Marta (although Marta would rather celebrate on March 1), Simeon/a, Simon/a
Nameday for Antim
Nameday for Borka, Elica, Elich/ka, Elisavet/a, Elise/jna, Elitsa, Eliza/bet/beta, Elza, Hari, Ili/jka, Ilza, Ilze, Izabela, Lisaveta, Liza, Sava, Slav/i/ka, Vladislav/a, Zahari
Remembering the unification of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia.
Nameday for Krustan/a, Kancho, Krustin/a, Krustyo, Stavri. Secondary Nameday for Christina, Crysta, David, Hrista, Hristakija, Hristena, Hristin/a/ka, Hristo, Iosif, Kristin/a, Krostoma, Krqstan/a/ka, Krqsten/a, Krqstin/a/ka, Krystana
Nameday for Ludmil/a
Nameday for Lubov/Lyubov, Lyuba, Lyuben/a, Lyubomir/a, Nade/zhda/jda, Nadya, Sevda, Sofka, Sophia/Sofia/Sofiya, Vera, Veronika, Viara, Vyara
Independence from the Ottoman Empire.
Nameday for Sergei
Nameday for Denica, Denis, Denislav/a, Deniza, Denka, Desislav/a, Dionisii
Nameday for Paraskeva, Pencho, Penka, Petka/na, Petko, Petyo
Nameday for Louka/n, Zlata/n, Zlatka, Zlatko, Zlatimir/a, Zlatyu
Nameday for Ioan/a
Nameday for Dima/n/na, Dimca/Dimka, Dimitar, Dimiter, Dimitrin/a, Dimka, Dimo, Dragan, Drago, Mitko, Mitra
Nameday for Nestor
Nameday for Angel/ina/ka, Anjali, Anjunta, Anzhel/a/ika, Emil/ia, Gavrail, Gavril, Gela, Gelka, Milcho, Mihael/a, Mihail/a, Ognian, Ognyan/a, Plamen/a, Rada, Radka, Radko, Rafail, Raia, Raika, Raina, Rangel, Raia, Raika, Raina
Nameday for Milan, Mincho, Minka, Minko
Nameday for Mina, Mincho, Minka, Victor/ia, Vikentij,
Viktor/ia
Nameday for Filio, Filip/a, Mincho, Minka, Philip/a
Nameday for Matei/Matey
Nameday for Aleko, Aleksandar/a, Aleksandr/a/e/ina, Alexander, Alexandr/a/e, Alla, Sashka, Sasho, Tsanko, Aleksandrina (or could be celebrated August 30, January 23, or December 4)
Nameday for Ekaterina, Iasna, Kat/a/ia/ja/ya/ka, Katalin/a, Katerin/a/ka, Katina
Nameday for Kliment/ina
Nameday for Stilian/a, Stilyan/a
Nameday for Adrean/a, Andrei, Adrijana/Adryana, Andrei/Andrey, Andrian/a (the name has the meaning “masculine”, therefore “strong”)
Nameday for Naum
Nameday for Aleko, Aleksandar/a, Aleksandr/a/e/ina, Alexander, Alexandr/a/e, Alla, Sashka, Sasho, Tsanko, Varvara
Nameday for Borka, Elica, Elichka, Elisaveta, Elisejna, Elitsa, Eliza, Elizabet/a, Elza, Ilijka, Ilza, Ilze, Izabela, Lisaveta, Liza, Sava, Silva/na, Silviya, Slav/ka/i, Stanislav, Vladislav/a
Nameday for Kolyo, Nenka, Neno, Nikola/ay/ai, Nikolina, Nina
Nameday for Ana, Anabel/a, Analisa, Anelia/Aneliya/Anelija, Aneta, Anete, Ani/ka/chka, Anita, Anka, Anmari, Anna, Anushka, Asenka, Asya, Ianka, Nana, Nusha, and all other derivatives (the name Anna means “blessing” in Hebrew)
Nameday for Darin/a/ka, Spyridon, Spiro
Nameday for Snezhala
Nameday for Dana, Danail/a/ka, Daniel/a, Danka
Nameday for Ignat (from the Latin, the name means ‘fire’), Ognian/a, Ognyan/a, Plamen/a
Nameday for Ana, Anastasi/a/ja/ya, Anisi/ya/ja, Asja/Asya, Astja, Nasa, Nasca, Naska, Nasta, Natasha, Sijka/Siyka, Sika, Siya/Sija, Stazi, Vuzkresiya
Namedays for Bojin, Kolio, Mladen could be celebrated on these days.
See the file Bulgarian Christmas Celebrations
Nameday for Evgen/a, Evgeni/a/ca/ja/ya, Genka, Henka, Zheni
See the file Bulgarian Christmas Celebrations
See the file Bulgarian Christmas Celebrations
Nameday for Bisser/a, Bistr/a, Blagorod/na/ka, Bozhan/a/ka, Bozhin/a, Bozjam/a, Evgeni/a. Also the nameday for all whose name begins with "R" – Radka, Radko, Radomir/a, Radost, Radostin/a, Rumyana, Rumen, Russi
See the file Bulgarian Christmas Celebrations
Name day for Christina, Crysta, David, Hrista, Hristakija, Hristena, Hristin/a/ka, Hristo, Iosif, Kristin/a, Krostoma, Krqstan/a/ka, Krqsten/a, Krqstin/a/ka, Krystana, Yosif.
See the file Bulgarian Christmas Celebrations
Nameday for Conio, Stamen, Stanimir/a, Stanka, Stefan/ka, Stephen/ka (Stephen's name means "crown”), Stoichko, Stoicho, Stoil, Stoimen, Stoyan/ka, Stoycho, Stoyo/ka, Tanya, Tanyo, Tsanko/a, Tsonko/a, Ventsislav/a (also Dec. 30th), Zapryan/a
See the file Bulgarian Christmas Celebrations
Nameday for Ana, Anastasi/a/ja/ya, Anisi/ya/ja, Asja/Asya, Astja, Nasa, Nasca, Naska, Nasta, Natasha, Sijka/Siyka, Sika, Siya/Sija, Stazi, Vuzkresiya
trees decorated with martenitsi
explorebulgaria.wordpress.com
If you visit Bulgaria on the first day of March you will notice that almost every person is wearing small tokens made from red and white threads. If you visit between late March and mid-April, you will see fruit trees and shrubs decorated with these same tokens. That's because March 1st is Baba Marta Den (Granny March Day) in Bulgaria. It is the most universal Bulgarian holiday. The tradition has become similar to the way Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the USA.
Baba Marta
Baba Marta is an angry old lady whose mood changes rapidly from bad to good, and then back again. She usually limps or has a crooked back, and carries an iron stick to lean upon. The Bulgarian tradition is that Baba Marta arrives just when Spring is set to begin. She is irritable, unpredictable, and quick tempered. She personifies the extremes of weather during the spring and is very unstable, as her moods are reflected in the weather, swinging from sparkling good humor to a boiling rage. When she smiles the sun shines, when she is mad at someone cold weather freezes the ground.
All over the country people offer each other Martenitsi on March 1st as tokens of good luck. There is a saying that if you don’t wear your Martenitsa, Baba Marta will bring you evil. So almost everybody wears their martenitsa to keep Baba Marta happy and prevent evil, especially young children, just married couples or newly born domestic animals. Traditionally it was the women who twisted white and red threads together and produced Martenitsi. They would then give them to all of the members of the family to wear. The Martenitsa were to be twisted in the same way as young unmarried women “twist around” the bachelors.
a Martenitsa
Martenitsi from the Plovdiv region
In some regions of Bulgaria there are special amulets according to people's social status. According to the old traditions, children were to wear the Martenitsi on their right wrist, as a necklace, or on their chest. Young unmarried or newlywed women were to wear their Martenitsi on the left side of their chests, on their neck, or woven into their hair. Married women placed their Martenitsi on the right side of their chests. Young unmarried boys wore them on their left hand small finger. Married men carried their Martenitsi over their left elbow or left ankle (to remain unseen). In some areas the men put them into their left shoes, right under the heel. The belief was that if someone saw them wearing a Martenitsa tied on their wrist, their masculinity could be tied up too. Bachelors wore them with their ends spread. Elderly people wore their's very neatly arranged, so that they wouldn’t fly around while partying.
Most traditionally it is the sighting of a stork that was the official sign of spring. The first stork of the year was usually seen returning from Africa in the spring around the 22nd or 23rd of March. This means that Bulgarian people may wear the Martenitsa for more than 3 weeks. Nowadays, especially in the city, one does not usually see a stork.
In other places the Martenitsi are thrown into a river so that life runs smoothly and hardships are avoided. In some places they throw the Martenitsa towards a bird and say: "Take the ugliness of the winter away, bring forth the beauty of the spring!" Or it is thrown onto the the roof of a house, thrown in the direction of the sun, or burned.
TWISTED THREAD BRACELET STYLE MARTENITSA
The simplest Martenitsa is the twisted red and white thread. You have to tie some red and white thread together and then two people twist each end in opposite directions about 20 times and then put two ends together and smoothen it. One can tie beads on it as well. Different colors for the sun, trees, blue skies etc.
making Martenitsi at Washington State FRUA, INC Winterfest
http://www.geocities.com/bulgarian_martenitsa/make_martenitza.html
PIZHO AND PENDA MARTENITSI
Pizho (red) is the traditional boy and Penda (white) is the traditional girl Martenitsi. They are made from tassels. Separate and time a little bit of thread for the arms. Then cut shorter. Tie the waist and Penda is done. For Pizho tie two separate legs for pants. You can get creative. Make a little apron for Penda or a hat for Pizho.
COINS
Another common element of martenitsi are "coins". Take a round piece of cardboard with a whole in the center. Wrap in and out around the ring until you can go no farther. Tie the "coin" to the twisted tread and then tie the thread in a bow.
POM POMS
The pom-poms are made from the coins. Cut along the periphery then tie around the middle. Real tight! Toss around and trim with scissors. Here you have two beautiful pom-poms!So you and your kids can do any of these.
THE STORIES OF THE MARTENITSA
Another version.....
Kahn Kubrat
KAHN KUBRAT
Khan Kubrat's five sons went hunting accompanied by their sister Houba.When they reached the River Danube they saw a silver stag.Mesmerized the men did not dare shoot an arrow at him. The stag crossed over to the opposite bank of the river showing them there was a ford. A bird flew to them bringing bad tidings.
Pizho and Penda
PIZHO AND PENDA
