St. Anna’s Day – Maternity Day

On December 9, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the conception of Saint Anna – mother of the Holy Virgin. The Christian cult of the Saint became popular in the times of the Byzantine Empire, as early as VI century, when the first church named after her was built. On December 9, Christians also pay tribute to the mother of the prophet Samuel, who is also called Anna. According to the Old Testament, she was childless and prayed to God to bless her with a child, promising God to dedicate the child to him. Her prayer was heard and she gave birth to Samuel, who became one of the most famous prophets. St. Anna is also patron of women, matrimony, family and maternity. She is believed to protect young girls, pregnant women and widows. On December 9, women should not work for their children not to get sick. On this day, people make predictions about the marriage of the girls by sowing wheat seed-corns into a new pot full of water. If the corns sprout before New Year, this is interpreted as a sure sign the maiden is to get married soon. On December 9 Ana, Anna, Anita, Annette celebrate their name day.