Information on Nicholas Day
The Church honors St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker. He was born in 280 in the Lesser Asia province of Lycia and during the time of Emperor Constantine the Great was proclaimed Archbishop of Myrrh. He participated in the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. He died in 325. He remained renowned for his maritime marvels at the rescue of wrecks and sailors.
Nicholas Day Rites and Traditions
The Bulgarians honor St. Nicholas as the patron saint of fishermen and sailors and as the master of the vast expanse of water - the oceans, seas, rivers and lakes. According to popular belief, the saint causes sea storms and hurricanes. When he is angry, he wills the winds, shakes the sea and sinks ships. Thus, at Nicholas Day, all the hemispheres stop moving in order to be merciful and respectful to the patron saint.
A must-see point in traditional Nicolai ritual is the consumption of fish. Usually, women prepare a carp, as the carp is believed to be the "servant" of St. Nicholas. Once, when the saint was swimming with his boat in the sea and the strong waves that came out broke its bottom, he reached with his hand into the water, caught a carp and closed the crack with it. So he saved his companions from drowning. Since then, the custom of sacrificing carp in honor of the saint, whose holiday the Bulgarians call "Fish St. Nicholas", "Wet St. Nicholas" or "Fish Church", has remained. Most often the carp is filled with rice, bulgur, walnuts, onions and raisins, wrapped and baked in dough. The festive dish so prepared is known as a "fish farm".
Folk tradition dictates the ritual Ribnik and the bread is consecrated in church or at home, and pieces of it are distributed to the neighbors. Most of the pond and breads are always eaten at the family dinner. Nicholden's table is not raised throughout the day and is available to guests.
St. Nicholas is not only the patron saint of those who have been baptized in his name, he is a personal and family patron who arranges a family feast, called service, prayer, church.
On this holiday relatives, godparents and neighbors are invited, and a large table is lit, which ends with songs and fun. After the incense, the priest takes the tail of the leavened carp. The bones of the carnivorous carnivore are not discarded, but are burned, buried in the ground or put into the river - it is believed that this will protect and increase fertility and family well-being.
According to custom, the farmers keep the bone from the head of the carp, which is cross-shaped. This bone - "crumb" or "bottom" is considered to be unusually healing. The mothers sew it on the hats of their newborn children to protect them from "evil eyes" and lessons.
On St. Nicholas Day, in addition to the pond and ritual breads, there should also be lean dishes: boiled corn, wheat, lean coars, peppers, beans.
Beliefs about Nicholas Day
Women are careful not to fall to the ground when cleaning fish, because it is believed that if a person steps there, he becomes ill and dies.
The bone of the head, which resembles a cross, is reserved for a cure for childhood diseases.
When a new boat is made, an icon of St. Nicholas. She is believed to be protecting the boat from storms and winds
December 6 - None
On this name day celebrations: Nikola, Nikolai, Nikolina, Nikoleta, Nenka, Nina, Nino, Kolyo
