The people's holiday in honor of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica is called Dimitrovden by the Bulgarians.
The Great Martyr Demetrius was born in the third century, and his father was the mayor of Solonica (now in Greece). After his death, Emperor Maximian Galerius gave this post to his son. Demetrius was received by the people of Solonika with great joy. As ruler of the city, he openly preached Christianity. For his faith he was thrown into prison and later killed with a spear on October 26 on the orders of the pagan emperor Galerius. He was killed along with his comrade Nestor, whose memory the Bulgarian Church celebrates on October 27.
A folk proverb says: «Saint Demetrius brings winter, and Saint George — summer». In one folk tale, both saints are — twin brothers. Saint Demetrius has — seniority. He rides a fiery horse and is the ruler of winter. According to legend, the first snowflakes fly to the ground from under the white beard of the saint. «Saint Demetrius to the court — winter to the court», — say elderly Bulgarians. Therefore, on this day it is customary to bring the plow and harrow back into the house and add firewood for the winter.
In the old days, on the occasion of St. Demetrius' Day, work on the field of harvesting and sowing winter crops ended; the owners freed the workers hired for the summer and paid them. Therefore, in many villages, holidays (gatherings) are held on this day. Families, relatives and friends gather around the table to celebrate the end of active agricultural work, take stock of past months of hard work, and just have fun.
The end of October — is the height of engagements and weddings. Every evening — parties are held, choros are danced in the squares to the music, and this is a convenient reason to make new acquaintances and propose...
In some mountainous areas of the central part of the country, this day is called the «useful» —, as the guest who first crossed the threshold of the house is called. If he is a kind and prosperous person, then next year will be born rich. If the month is full on the eve of the holiday, then the hives next year will be full of honey.