The Bulgarian Orthodox Church pays respect to the memory of St. Athanasius the Great two times a year - on May 2 ( the day of his death) and on January 18, when his last return as Patriarch of Alexandria took place. On January 18 people traditionally celebrate Atanasovden, also called Tanasovden, Winter St. Tanas, or Midwinter.
In some regions of the country people used to believe that plague was born on this day and in order to protect themselves from the disease they sacrificed a black hen. They made a dish out of it and gave others from it along with ritual bread. A popular custom is giving others freshly-baked small loaves of bread spread with honey, with a stem of basil stuck in the middle. Women do not work on this day, nor do they cook beans or lentils.
English: Alexander Markov
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