Saint Varvara (or Saint Barbara) is the female saint to whom the fourth day of December is dedicated, as she is venerated by both Orthodoxy and Catholicism. Special chants describing her feat are performed during the church service on this day.

"Let us honor St. Varbara. Crushing the enemy's nets, she got rid of them like a bird with the help and the weapon of the Cross”, goes the text of the troparion to Saint Varvara (Saint Barbara).

The holiday is also part of the Bulgarian folklore calendar. The saint is considered a protectress of children from diseases, most often from measles. Legend has it that St. Varbara was born in today's Bulgarian lands, in the village of Eleshnitsa, called Iliopolis at that time. Perhaps this explains the great popularity of the saint in our lands, as well as the abundance of customs, traditions and beliefs associated with her.

Over the next two days, the church celebrates the days of Saint Sava (December 5^th) and St. Nicholas of Myra (December 6^th). In folk beliefs, Varvara is the sister of Sava and Nicholas, so the folk festivities have brought together both pagan and Christian elements. This kind of triad has given birth to the proverb "Varvara boils, Sava roasts it, Nikola welcomes guests". This is the title of a publication from Radio Bulgaria’s “best” collection in which you can learn more about these three major winter holidays.

Editor: Albena Bezovska