Tudoritsa (Todorovden) (12/03)

Tudoritsa, or Todorovden, is celebrated in Bulgaria on the first Saturday after Forgiveness Sunday (Sirni zagovezni). The holiday is dedicated to the Holy Great Martyr Theodore Tiron (in Russia the name Theodore, Todor sounds like Fyodor).

On this day, horses enjoy special honor and care. The holiday is even called Horse Easter. All rituals of this day are related to the health of the animal.

Early in the morning, the men go to the stables, smoothing the horses' backs, braiding their mane and tail, and decorating the horses with semi-precious stones, and some even rubbing the horse with incense. Then the horses are ritually taken to a watering hole.

Women bake special ritual bread, which is fed to horses. On this day, impromptu races are certainly organized (in Bulgarian — kushii), in which the best rider who has shown skills and qualities is awarded a prize. As a rule, boiled corn is always served at the table.

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