Yuzhnitsa - Verizhnitsi

Feast day on  January 16

  This Feast Day is the first one of the group “Antonovden & Atanassovden” (in the period January 16th -18th) and acts as preparation to the next two larger holidays. This day is also known under the names of Sveti Verigi (meaning “Holy Chains”) or “The Chains of St. Peter”. It is mainly celebrated in the northern parts of Bulgaria and the mountain regions of Stara Planina.

 

 

  This is the first one of the traditional feasts dedicated to Thunders in the traditional concept of a heavenly arrow. The person struck by a thunderstorm is considered a man of sins and punished by God’s will, so he should not be buried in public graveyards. On this day, the mistresses of the house are to make a special round bread “kolatch” and give pieces of it away around the neighbourhood to keep away the thunder. It is strictly forbidden to knit, weave or sew. If somebody is wearing some piece of clothing made on that day, they are expected to be struck by a thunder in the summer. It is forbidden for the cattle to work as well for they might fall and be seriously injured.

 

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