Summer St. Nicholas’ Day

The official celebration of the Summer St. Nicholas’ day started yet in 11th century AD and is related to the carrying of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonder Worker from the Balkans to Bari, Italy in 1087. On May 9, 1087 they were safely landed in Bari. Moving the relics was forced by the Ottoman invasion in the Balkan Peninsula. According to people’s believes today women should not embroider because they would make holes in the eyes of the Saint and would catch an eye disease. The day commemorates St. Nicholas the Summer one, who should provide rain and fruitful year. A male animal is slaughtered as offering to protect the crop from hailstorms.