St. Sylvester’s Day

January 2 is the second day of Survaki. At that time the church celebrates St. Sylvester’s day, also known as Karamanovden or Rinachovden. It is typical for the holiday the festal cleaning of the cattle-shed performed by shovellers (rinachi) – these are the boys who have taken part in the traditional Bulgarian customs Koleduvane and Survakane. In some parts of the country the shovellers clean the cattle-sheds only of the families having damsels, as the hosts leave a bag full of bread, meat and wine for the boys who should leave the house quietly. This typical for the holiday custom is dedicated to the cattle – to be protected from illness and to give a healthy offspring. It is also the name day of those called Sylvester or Silvia.