Text size

Bulgarians mark the feast of Saint Varvara also known as Women's Christmas

published on 12/4/24 6:05 AM

Icon to Saint Varvara

Photo: Archive

Today, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors the holy great martyr Varvara - a maiden from a noble family, beheaded for her Christian faith at the beginning of the 4th century.

The day is also called Women's Christmas. This name comes from a custom in the central part of Western Bulgaria, according to which disguised maidens and younger girls with bags slung over their shoulders go around the houses and sing songs of blessings with wishes for health and fertility, and the owners give them gifts.

The tradition resembles the custom of the carol singers (koledari), which, however, is performed only by boys and young men.

Bulgarians in the past used to say that on Saint Varvara's Day the day and night find each other, i.e. they become equal.

Read also:

The December series of holidays starts with the days of Saints Barbara, Sava and Nicholas

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria History and religion Bulgarian Orthodox Church Saint Varvara

More from category

How Slava was saved from oblivion – the story of Bulgaria’s last submarine

Beloslav is a small town on one of the branches of Varna Lake. Yet it is here, in this quiet little town, that the only preserved Bulgarian submarine – Slava – is anchored . It was decommissioned a long time ago, and has now been turned in one of..

published on 3/11/25 7:35 AM

The Holy Forty Martyrs church in Veliko Tarnovo - a shrine in Bulgarian history

March 9 is the feast day of the Church of the Forty Martyrs in the town of Veliko Tarnovo - a place of exceptional importance for the Bulgarian statehood, which worthily preserves the memory of the glorious Tarnovo kings. ‎ On March 9, the..

published on 3/9/25 8:05 AM

Father Lyubomir Leontinow from Berlin: Closeness is measured by the heart, not by distance

Father Lyubomir Leontinow is one of three priests at the Cathedral of St Boris the Conqueror in Berlin and was the first priest ordained for the Western and Central European Diocese in 1994. After completing his theology studies in Bulgaria, he settled..

published on 3/9/25 7:30 AM

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Partly cloudy, chance of rain
Min: 6 | Max: 22

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?

How Slava was saved from oblivion – the story of Bulgaria’s last submarine

Beloslav is a small town on one of the branches of Varna Lake. Yet it is here, in this quiet little town, that the only preserved Bulgarian submarine..

published on 3/11/25 7:35 AM

Share

Bulgarians mark the feast of Saint Varvara also known as Women's Christmas

More from category

How Slava was saved from oblivion – the story of Bulgaria’s last submarine

The Holy Forty Martyrs church in Veliko Tarnovo - a shrine in Bulgarian history

Father Lyubomir Leontinow from Berlin: Closeness is measured by the heart, not by distance

How Slava was saved from oblivion – the story of Bulgaria’s last submarine