Elijah's Day (Ilinden) — is a traditional folk holiday among the Eastern and Southern Slavs, dedicated to the Old Testament prophet Elijah (Elijah), which is celebrated according to the church calendar on July 20 (Julian calendar).
The Prophet Elijah, in order to turn his people away from the pagan worship of Baal, performed a number of miracles, the most striking of which was the attraction of the rain of grace after several years of drought.
According to the Bulgarian Orthodox calendar, Ilyin’s day falls in the midst of summer. It is believed that by this day the bread should have already been collected from the fields. However, there is still a need to collect industrial crops and livestock feed — corn, barley, sunflower. In grape areas, vine binding comes to an end — is the last operation before harvesting grapes. Thus, Ilyin’s day marks a short respite in the summer harvest.
In Bulgaria, the prophet Elijah is revered as the ruler of the heavenly elements. In the old days, it was believed that thunder roared because the prophet Elijah drove horses in his chariot. If the summer turns out to be dry, then on Elijah Day the water light must be served so that rain falls.
On this day, villages prepare «Kurban» —, slaughter a ram or ox and fry it on a spit. This is called «cheverme». Giblets are usually used to make soup (kurban chorba). The preparation of these dishes sometimes takes place in the courtyard of the church, while a festive service takes place inside. In some cases, the preparation of dishes also takes place in a special clearing near the village. Soup and meat are then consecrated by the priest. Some of the dishes are used to treat the poor and needy. But usually this holiday brings together all the villagers.
In many Bulgarian villages, rural folk festivals and festivities are planned for Ilyin Day (in Bulgarian «fees»). Then relatives usually gather and meetings of representatives of the families are held. In addition to large livestock, the oldest rooster in the chicken coop is sometimes slaughtered.