[/caption]On this day the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours St. Demetrius. Many Bulgarians who are named after the Saint celebrate their name day. Those are Dimitar, Dimitrina, Dimo, Dimana, Mitjo, Mitra. St. Demetrius Day is the holiday of the Bulgarian town of Sliven.It is believed that St. Demetrius was a consul in the city of Thessaloniki and died for the Christian faith. The legend says that during the uprising for the liberation of Bulgaria from Byzantine Yoke, St. Demetrius leaved Thessaloniki because he was disappointed with the elite’s dissipated lifestyle and moved to the then Bulgarian capital city of Veliko Turnovo. He became the patron of the Church that was built in his honour. The Bulgarian tzars who belonged to the Second Bulgarian Kingdom were crowned and married there.According to folk’s beliefs, one can tell what the next year will be like by the the first person who enters the household on this day. For instance, if he is good and wealthy, the year will be prosperous.It is also believed that the winter starts on St. Demetrius Day who is the patron of winter and cold.St. Demetrius Day is the holiday of the Bulgarian town of Sliven. On the occasion of the holiday, the Mayor of Sliven launched the initiative Sliven- The Town of 100 000 Trees. The aim is to encourage everyone who wants to plant a tree to do it and thus to contribute to the city’s plant care. The seedlings will be provided to all enthusiastic citizens free of charge.
[/caption]On this day the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours St. Demetrius. Many Bulgarians who are named after the Saint celebrate their name day. Those are Dimitar, Dimitrina, Dimo, Dimana, Mitjo, Mitra. St. Demetrius Day is the holiday of the Bulgarian town of Sliven.It is believed that St. Demetrius was a consul in the city of Thessaloniki and died for the Christian faith. The legend says that during the uprising for the liberation of Bulgaria from Byzantine Yoke, St. Demetrius leaved Thessaloniki because he was disappointed with the elite’s dissipated lifestyle and moved to the then Bulgarian capital city of Veliko Turnovo. He became the patron of the Church that was built in his honour. The Bulgarian tzars who belonged to the Second Bulgarian Kingdom were crowned and married there.According to folk’s beliefs, one can tell what the next year will be like by the the first person who enters the household on this day. For instance, if he is good and wealthy, the year will be prosperous.It is also believed that the winter starts on St. Demetrius Day who is the patron of winter and cold.St. Demetrius Day is the holiday of the Bulgarian town of Sliven. On the occasion of the holiday, the Mayor of Sliven launched the initiative Sliven- The Town of 100 000 Trees. The aim is to encourage everyone who wants to plant a tree to do it and thus to contribute to the city’s plant care. The seedlings will be provided to all enthusiastic citizens free of charge.