Maccabeans

On August 1 the Orthodox Church commemorates the Seven Holy Maccabean Martyrs, their mother Solomonia and their teacher Eleazar - suffered about the year 180 BC. The Syrian emperor Antiochos Epiphanos conquered Jerusalem and tried to introduce pagan customs, but the law-teacher Eleazar refused to obey the orders and to eat pork. He steadfastly underwent tortures and died at Jerusalem. However his belief was followed by his disciples– the Seven Maccabean Brothers and their mother Solomonia. They were brought to trial and one after the other they underwent tortures and were killed. According to the traditional Bulgarian beliefs the twenty days Maccabeans start on August 1. Each one Maccabean is for a month of the next year, which according to the Church calendar begins September. Thus, if the first day is rainy – the whole September will be rainy. It is believed that on that day the summer turns to its end. This is the day when the storks and swallows take their migration south. In Troyan region the people pick up new basil, consecrate it in the church and bring it at home. Often the women deck themselves with consecrated basil. In northwestern Bulgaria all the sons-in-law visit their wives’ fathers, bring them gifts, and kiss their hands (that is why the holiday is called Zatiovden – Sons-in-law Day). They are wined and dines with fresh loafs.
The Gardeners’ day is also celebrated today. The holiday celebrations were restored on August 1, 1993 in the town of Brezovo, Plovdiv region, by the united agrarians of Bulgarian Agrarian National Union, chaired by Ms. Anastasia Moser. (Photo: www.pravoslavieto.com)