St. Athanasius Feast

On January 18 the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of St. Athanasius the Great (298–May 2, 373), deacon and secretary of Bishop Alexander. Bulgarians call this day Atanasovden. According to the traditional beliefs, this day marks the middle of the winter season. When the world was divided, St. Athanasius took the winter snows and ice. People believe that on this day he takes off his fur-coat, puts a silk shirt on, ascents the high mountain and drives the winter away shouting: “Winter, go away; Summer, come again!” On this day, people believe that the plague is born. Therefore, in order to appease the diseases, a black hen is slaughtered and cooked with rice and then given away to relatives and neighbors for health. The feathers are preserved as a remedy against “evil eyes”. It is a popular belief that they possess a healing might. Atanasovden, just like Antonovden, is a holiday of the blacksmiths, ironmongers, cutters and shoeing smiths. On January 18, everyone called Atanas, Atanaska, Nacho, Tanyo, Tinka celebrate their name day.