The icon of Saint Petka depicts a pretty young woman in a nun’s habit, or in royal attire, with a cross in her left hand and with her right hand at her chest. The icon is usually life-size, and sometimes St. Nedelya or St. Anastasia of Tarnovo are depicted next to her. Patriarch Euthymius of Tarnovo is author of one of the most famous passionals of St. Petka.
In the Bulgarian folk calendar, Petkovden marks the end of the active farming season. To mark the day, ritual loaves of bread are baked, and the table is laden with mutton, soup, leek stew and stuffed sarmi.
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