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On October 26, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Great Martyr Dimitri Mirotochivi and the Rev. Dimitra Dorostolska.
Saint Demetrius is an Orthodox saint. In the popular calendar, St. Dimitrov’s Day marks the change of season and the beginning of winter. According to beliefs, at midnight before the party the sky opens, after which the first snow is expected. The saint is considered the patron saint of winter, cold and snow.
Saint Demetrius was born in the 3rd century in Salonica, and his father was the then mayor. After his death, the emperor Maximiano Hercules assigned this position to Dimitar, who was received with great joy and respect by the inhabitants of the city. As governor of Thessalonica, Dimitar openly professes and glorifies the Christian faith. Dissatisfied with his behavior, Emperor Galerius imprisoned him and subsequently, on October 26, 306, ordered his assassination. Later, the Christian church proclaimed him a martyr of faith and a saint, and the inhabitants of Thessalonica began to honor him as the patron saint of the city. The feast of Saint Demetrius has been celebrated in Thessaloniki since the 5th century and shortly after it was transferred to Thrace and Macedonia, writes BGNES.
In the popular calendar, the celebration of Saint Demetrius is associated with a change of season and the beginning of winter. According to belief, the first snowflakes are poured from the saint’s white beard. “Saint Dimitar brings winter and Saint George summer”, says a Bulgarian proverb. Then the owners place their plows under the eaves and arrange the firewood.
This day is also known as Mitrovden or Raspus. This ends the period for which temporary workers such as ranchers, shepherds, ranchers are hired and payment is made with them. Sometimes a salary is given, in addition to the specified amount, plus clothing and a couple of worms for each of the winter months. Negotiation of workers for next year begins. According to popular belief, preparing for the so-called “mouse vacation” the next day. In the Stara Planina regions, the owners watch over the first guest who crosses the threshold of the house. If he is a good and rich man, they believe that next year will be rich, healthy and fertile. If there is a full moon on the night before Saint Dimitar’s day, the bees will swarm and the hives will be full of honey. Tonight is also important for people looking for buried treasure. They believe that then the sky “opens” and the buried coins flash with a bluish flame.
Saint Demetrius is also believed to be the brother of Archangel Michael, the patron saint of the afterlife, of the dead ancestors. The Saturday before the holidays is one of the biggest chokes: Dimitrovska, who is given boiled wheat and cakes to remember. Engagements and weddings begin at this time of year.
On October 26 a lamb sacrifice, a rooster stew, an apple pie, brandy and various vegetable dishes are placed on the table.
Today, the relics of Saint Demetrius are kept in the basilica of the same name in Thessaloniki, erected at the place of his death, and Saint Demetrius is revered as the patron saint of Thessaloniki. On the day of his memory, pilgrims from all over the world flock to the city.
The tribute to the great martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica spread throughout the Balkan peninsula and especially to Mount Athos, where fragments of his relics are kept. In the iconography he is represented as a rider on a red horse, who kills General Lee with his spear.
The name of Saint Demetrius is also related to the history of the Bulgarian people. In 1185, during the two centuries of Byzantine slavery, the boyar brothers Asen and Peter announced in Tarnovgrad that they no longer recognized Byzantine rule. This happened on October 26, on the feast of the temple of the church they built, named after Saint Demetrius. Protected by him, the rebels successfully ended the struggle for independence and the restoration of Bulgarian statehood: in the spring of 1187, after a failed siege of Lovech, the Byzantine emperor signed a peace treaty recognizing the dominance of Assen and Peter about northern Bulgaria. Thus began the history of the Second Kingdom of Bulgaria. The holy martyr is one of the most revered in our country. Many temples throughout Bulgaria are dedicated to him and on the day of his celebration holy festive liturgies will be celebrated everywhere.
Dimitar, Dimitrina, Dimo, Dima, Mitko celebrate Dimitrovden. The NOVA team wishes all directories health, luck and love!
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