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

The Annunciation is the Christian Mother's Day

Every year, on March 25, the Bulgarian Church celebrates one of its brightest holidays - the Day of the Annunciation. Marked by the good news of the immaculate conception, it personifies God's infinite mercy to people and especially to the woman - a..

published on 3/25/24 5:10 AM
Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa

Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa was elected as temporary head of the Holy Synod

Fifty-four-year-old Metropolitan Gregory of Vratsa was unanimously elected temporary head of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Metropolitan Gregory will be responsible for organizing the election of a new patriarch within the next 4..

published on 3/19/24 11:39 AM

Great Lent begins

Today is the first day of the longest fasting period in Orthodox Christian tradition. Strict fasting is observed during the first and last week, and apart from animal and dairy foods, which are excluded during the entire fasting period, vegetable fats..

published on 3/18/24 9:17 AM