Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

On St. Athanasius Day: “Go away, winter, so summer can come!”

БНР Новини
Photo: BGNES

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church pays respect to the memory of St. Athanasius the Great two times a year - on May 2 ( the day of his death) and on January 18, when his last return as Patriarch of Alexandria took place. On January 18 people traditionally celebrate Atanasovden, also called Tanasovden, Winter St. Tanas, or Midwinter.

In some regions of the country people used to believe that plague was born on this day and in order to protect themselves from the disease they sacrificed a black hen. They made a dish out of it and gave others from it along with ritual bread. A popular custom is giving others freshly-baked small loaves of bread spread with honey, with a stem of basil stuck in the middle. Women do not work on this day, nor do they cook beans or lentils.


According to traditional Bulgarian folk views, St. Athanasius is the ruler of winter. When six brave brothers used to share the rule of heaven and earth, the responsibility for winter frosts and snow fell on Atanas. On his feast day, the saint puts on a silk shirt and goes to the mountain where he shouts: “Go away, winter, so summer can come!” When winter hears these words she starts preparing to leave, while summer starts his way towards replacing her. That is why on Atanasovden the transition from winter to summer starts, according to folk beliefs. On this date, joint village celebrations are also organized and family services are held in honor of the patron saint of the family, house and farm.


According to a legend, Atanas and his brother Anton (whose holiday is on January 17) were blacksmiths. One day they were working in their shop and their dog was laying on the floor. They put iron in the furnace and when it was hot enough, they did not have anything to use to take the metal out. Then Atanas took two metal rods and decided to use them. He saw the dog and the way it kept its front paws. The blacksmith gave the same shape to the metal sticks, pinned them to one another and pulled out the iron from the furnace. This way the forging pliers were invented.

The two brothers are considered protectors of blacksmiths, knife makers and ironmongers, who celebrate their professional holiday on January 17 and 18. St. Athanasius is also considered patron of sworn brothers and that is why such rituals are performed on Atanasovden, especially in Southeastern Bulgaria. People bearing the names of Atanas, Atanaska, Nasko, Naska and so on celebrate on this day.

English: Alexander Markov




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

With the magic of the horo dance in Razlog

On June 28 and 29th, the city of Razlog, in the region of Blagoevgrad, will present the magic of Bulgarian folklore. In these days, the XIII Festival of traditional horo dance will be held on the central square "Preobrazhenie".  The..

published on 6/28/24 8:25 AM

Midsummer herbs and water have magical powers

Early in the morning, young men and women gather in the meadows to play with the sun. "It is believed that the sun dances and shimmers on Enyovden at sunrise, because it is the longest solstice of the year". This is the most important thing to know about..

published on 6/24/24 7:00 AM

22 June is Bulgarian Folklore Day

Today is Bulgarian Folklore Day, designated as such by the Ministry of Culture in 2019. The idea for such a day belongs to Chinary folklore ensemble, with the support of the Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices , percussionist Stoyan..

published on 6/22/24 11:36 AM