The third most common name in Bulgaria celebrates today
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The Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Great Martyr Dimitar the Thessalonian Miracle Worker today. Saint Demetrius is an Orthodox saint. In the folk calendar, the holiday Dimitrovden marks the turn of the year and the beginning of winter. According to the belief, at midnight on the eve of the holiday, the sky opens, after which the first snow is expected. The saint is considered the patron saint of winter, cold and snow. Saint Dimitar was born in the 3rd century in Thessaloniki, and his father was the then mayor. After his death the emperor Maximianus Heracles assigned this post to Demetrius, who accepted with great joy and respect from the inhabitants of the city.
As governor of Thessalonica, Demetrius openly professed and glorified the Christian faith. Dissatisfied with his behavior, the emperor Galerius threw him into a dungeon, and later, on October 26, 306, ordered him killed. Then the Christian church proclaimed him a martyr of the faith and a saint, and the inhabitants of Thessaloniki began to honor him as the patron saint of the city. The feast of Saint Demetrius has been celebrated in Thessaloniki since the 5th century, and soon after it was transferred to Thrace and Macedonia.
In the folk calendar, the celebration of Saint Demetrius is associated with a change in the season and the beginning of winter. According to belief, the first snowflakes fall from the saint’s white beard. “St. Dimitar brings winter, and St. George brings summer” – says a Bulgarian proverb. Now the farmers put their plows under the eaves and arrange the firewood.
This day is also known as Mitrovden or Raspus. It ends the period for which seasonal workers such as cattlemen, shepherds, rathais are hired and they are paid. each as a salary is given, in addition to the fixed sum, more clothes and a pair of turbans for each of the winter months. Initiation and procurement of first-year workers. According to popular belief, preparations for the so-called Dimitrov Day begin. “mice holidays” the next day.
In the Staroplanin areas, the owners follow for the first guest who crosses the threshold of the house. If he is also a property person, he believes that every good year will be rich, healthy and fertile. If there is a full moon on the night of Dimitrovden, the bees will swarm and the hives opposite will be full of honey. This night is also important for people who suffer from buried treasure. They believe that the sky then “opens” and the buried gems flash with a bluish flame.
It is also believed that Saint Demetrius is the brother of Archangel Michael – the patron of the afterlife, of dead ancestors. On the Saturday before the holiday, there is one of the biggest stews – the Dimitrovska, where boiled wheat and commemorative breads are distributed. Engagements and weddings begin at this time of year.
On October 26, lamb meat sacrifice, rooster stew, apple pie, brandy, as well as various vegetable dishes are served on the table. Do not forget to congratulate your loved ones who bear the name Dimitar, Dimitrina, Dimo or Mitko and who celebrate their name day on October 26. According to the latest statistical data, Dimitar is the third most common name in Bulgaria, after Georgi and Ivan.