December 4 is the church holiday of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara, celebrated by both Orthodoxy and Catholicism. Barbara was a girl from a noble family, beheaded for her Christian faith at the beginning of the 4th century. There is a belief that from Varvara to Ignatius the day "rises" like a needle's tip. It also "rises" from Ignacius to Vasil (from December 20 to January 1). On Varvara, day and night meet and become equal. The holiday is also called Varvaritsa, Varvarinden or Women's Christmas.
In traditional representations, Varvara is the patroness of children's diseases, and above all, smallpox, called by our people by taboo names: grandmother, aunt, sweet and honeyed. An evil, toothless and ugly grandmother - the image of the disease "paints" Varvara's portrait as well. In order to propitiate Baba Sharka (grandma Smallpox) and divert her from the children, the women prepared a ritual stew in which they put various wheat and bean seeds. They call it "varvara". Sweetened with honey, this stew is given to children, and also to neighbors and relatives. There is a belief that throughout the day the children should jump so that Varvara does not find them.
People from all over the country will gather at the meadows around the Monastery "Sts Cosmas and Damian" near the village of Gigintsi, for the festival of folklore, traditions, and culture "In the Heart of Graovo". The gathering is..
Collectors from all over the country present traditional Bulgarian folk costumes at the National Embroidery Festival in the village of Samovodene near Veliko Tarnovo. This year, the celebration of the traditional Bulgarian art of embroidery takes..
Today, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the birth of St. John the Baptist, and according to popular beliefs, this day is dedicated to herbs, which manifest their healing powers the most on this day . The holiday is known in Bulgaria as..
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