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

Christians mark Day of St. Sylvester

Photo: library

On January 2, Christians pay honor to Saint Sylvester - Pope of Rome, who officially baptized Emperor Constantine I the Great.

According to popular beliefs, Saint Sylvester is considered the patron saint of animals. In Bulgaria the holiday is also called Karamanovden, Silvestri, Silvestrovden. In folk traditions the day is associated with paying respect to cattle - cows, oxen, etc.

On this day, people clean the barns and dump the manure that hasn't been thrown away since Christmas. On the night before the holiday young men who were carolers on Christmas Eve are once again divided into groups - this time to visit and bless the homes of farmers who have cattle.

On this day, people named Sylvester, Silvia, Silvana, Seraphim, Goran, and Goritsa also celebrate.




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.

More from category

Bulgarians honor the work of the Seven Saints

On July 27, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and people glorify the work of the seven saints- the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, and their disciples Saints Kliment, Naum, Sava, Gorazd and Angelarius. The day was chosen by the church..

published on 7/27/24 7:15 AM

Latest archaeological discoveries in Urvich fortress revive legends of Tsar Yassen

On the road leading from Sofia to Samokov upstream the Iskar River near the big picturesque bend between the former villages of Kokalyane and Pasarel at the Devil's Bridge is the Srednoberdie Ridge. There the Vedena River flows into the Iskar and the..

published on 7/26/24 5:05 AM

Today Orthodox Christians mark the Assumption of St. Anna

The Bulgarian Orthodox church marks the assumption of St. Anna – the saint who gave birth to Maria, the future mother of Jesus Christ. Christians in Bulgaria mark Day of St. Anne - patron of motherhood St. Anna is considered to be the..

published on 7/25/24 7:55 AM