Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

“Brave Todor shoeing his horse…”

БНР Новини

СнимкаTodorovden, one of the most colorful folk festivals is celebrated on the first Saturday of the Great Lent. It is preceded by Todor'sweek, also called hungry, or even “black week”. During this week, a strict fast is observed. According to folk beliefs, this is a period when people's and animals’ health, as well as crops are in jeopardy, as  "talasam” or goblins and other unclean forces roam at night. In some places they called these scary creatures "St. Todor on white horse and grandmother Tudoritsa". These names are another example of intertwining pagan beliefs with Orthodox traditions. Let's recall that in the Early Middle Ages Bulgarians worshiped Saint Todor, unifying the cult of the holy martyrs St. Theodore Stratelates (celebrated by Christians on February 8) and Theodore Tyron (his feast day is February 17 in the Orthodox calendar and November 9 in the Catholic one).




There are many bans during Todor’s Week, affecting mostly women - they should not be late in the evening, girls do not gather to chatter, no washing boards are used; one does not plow or sow in order for people and harvest to remain protected fromlighting and hail. As sung in a popular folk song, St. Todor punishes those who do not respect abstinence:

“This Todor’s week one does not eat, does not drink,

does not spin, does not weave ...

If girls and lads gather, St. Todor's rides his horse on the roofs

and tiles fall on youths’ heads…”




During this particular week it is also forbidden to wash and dry clothes in order to avoid certain diseases such as deafness, "drying up" of parts of the body, etc. Other bans and rituals are performed to protect people from madness and animals from various diseases.

During the feast, before sunrise, girls and brides prepare ritual bread, often in the shape of a horse or horseshoe. They put salt, garlic and walnuts on them. While giving them to neighbors and relatives, women run, kick and make noises, imitating horses. It is believed that more horses and children are born this way.

Снимка





Todorovden is among the holidays linked to the transition from winter to summer. According to popular ideas, on his day, St. Todor puts a glowing ember in the earth and warms it. Then he takes off his nine winter coats and goes to the Lord to pray for the coming of summer. The saint is considered to be the patron of horses.He himself rides “a white horse with gold horseshoes and silver nails." That is why men give a promise to their horse, preparing it for the traditional horse races onTodorovden that if the horse won, the owner wouldput “silver on the hooves and gold on the bridle".

Снимка




The feast is among the most popular ones even today. Horse races are organized in Bulgarian towns and villages and winners must bring guests at home. In many places, ritual dishes are prepared for the saint.People who bear the names Todor, Todorka, Theodor, and Theodora also celebrate.

Снимка


English: Alexander Markov

Photos: BGNES


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

Gallery

More from category

Esther Willems and the rhythm of Bulgarian folk dances in The Hague

Esther Willems from the Netherlands continues to attract people from different cities and nationalities to her club for Bulgarian folk dances, established in The Hague and named "Zora". It was founded in 2017 and then 13 people..

published on 8/18/24 10:28 AM

The feast of Panagia starts in Kyustendil

In the middle of August in Kyustendil, Southwestern Bulgaria, the "Panagia - Raising of the Bread" holiday takes place. The holiday is directly related to the church holiday "Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary", marked on August..

published on 8/14/24 2:42 PM

Embroidery festival presents the traditions of this craft in the village of Vardim

A three-day embroidery festival takes place in the square of the village of Vardim near Svishtov, the organizers reported. At its core, the festival promotes a particularly colorful part of our lifestyle and traditions -..

published on 7/27/24 8:45 AM