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The Bulgarian Orthodox Church today honors the memory of the Holy Great Martyr Dimitar, the Miraculous Operator of Thessaloniki. Saint Demetrius is an Orthodox saint. In the popular calendar, the Dimitrovden festival marks the turning point in the season and the beginning of winter. According to the belief, at midnight on the eve of the holidays, the sky opens, after which the first snow is expected. The saint is considered the patron saint of winter, cold and snow.San Dimitar was born in the 3rd century in Thessaloniki, and his father was the then mayor. After his death, the emperor Maximian Hercules assigned this post to Demetrius, who was received with great joy and respect by the citizens.
As governor of Thessaloniki, Demetrius openly professed and glorified the Christian faith. Dissatisfied with his behavior, Emperor Galerius threw him into a prison and later, on October 26, 306, ordered him to be killed. Then the Christian church proclaimed him a martyr of the faith and a saint, and the inhabitants of Thessaloniki began to honor him as the patron saint of the city. The feast of Saint Demetrius has been celebrated in Thessaloniki since the 5th century and soon after it was transferred to Thrace and Macedonia.
In the popular calendar, the feast of St. Demetrius is associated with a turn of the season and the beginning of winter. According to the belief, the first snowflakes fall from the white beard of the saint. “San Dimitar brings winter and St. George brings summer” – says a Bulgarian proverb. Then the farmers put their plows under the eaves and arrange the firewood.
This day is also known as Mitrovden or Raspus. The period for which seasonal workers such as cattlemen, shepherds, rathai are hired and paid ends. Sometimes, in addition to the fixed sum, more clothes and a pair of turbans are given as wages for each of the winter months. Procurement of workers for next year is also starting. According to popular belief, preparations begin for the so-called Dimitrov Day. “Rat holiday” the next day.
In the Staroplanin areas, the owners keep an eye on the first guest who crosses the threshold of the house. If he is a good and rich person, they believe that the next year will be rich, healthy and fertile. If there is a full moon the night before Dimitrovden, the bees will swarm and the hives will be filled with honey. This night is also important for people looking for buried treasure. They believe that then the sky “opens up” and the buried gems flash with a bluish flame.
It is also believed that Saint Demetrius is the brother of the Archangel Michael, the patron of the afterlife, of dead ancestors. On the Saturday before the holidays there is one of the greatest stews: Dimitrovska, where boiled wheat and memorial bread are distributed. Engagement and weddings begin at this time of year.
On October 26, lamb sacrifice, rooster stew, apple pie, brandy and various vegetable dishes are served on the table. And don’t forget to congratulate your loved ones who are called Dimitar, Dimitrina, Dimo or Mitko and who celebrate their name day on October 26th. According to the latest statistics, Dimitar is the third most popular name in Bulgaria, after Georgi and Ivan.
