St George’s Day in Bulgaria is the most celebrated name day of the year. In Bulgarian is it Гергьовден = Gergyovden. It is a public holiday that takes place on 6 May each year. Many families prepare and eat a whole lamb, which is an ancient tradition. It is possibly related to Slavic pagan sacrificial traditions and the fact that St. George is the patron saint of shepherds.

People believe St George’s Day in Bulgaria is a magical day. It is possible to break all evil spells on this day. Others believe that the saint helps the crops to grow and blesses the morning dew. Even now you will see people walking in the pastures early in the morning. They collect dew and wash their hands and faces in it. In some rural parts of Bulgaria it was a custom to roll in it naked, but you are unlikely to see that now!

St. George’s Day is also called the Bulgarian Armed Forces Day. It was decreed by Prince Alexander of Battenberg on 9 January 1880. The Bulgarian army organises parades in the capital Sofia to present the best of the equipment and manpower of the Bulgarian military. You will also sometimes see parades in Veliko Tarnovo each year.

Traditions on St George’s Day

In every home, it is a tradition to offer a sacrifice to the saint – a white male lamb. Also, the important part is the preparation of George’s bread. Families usually make three celebration breads – one for the festive table, one for the sheep and they give the third to other people as a gift for goodwill.

Families take the cooked lamb and the bread, to a church where a priest sanctifies them. Then women arrange a plentiful festive table in the churchyard, near the chapel, consecrated in the name of St. George ground, near sheepfolds or just on a green vast lawn. Fresh milk, yoghourt, cheese, and fresh garlic are also served on the table on that day.

Nowadays St. George’s Day in Bulgaria is still one of the most loved Name Days. It is a symbol of spring, youth, life, and fertility.

The Name George in Bulgaria

The name George (Georgi)  is the most common name to be given to the eldest newborn male children in Bulgaria. The name George is derived from the words GEO (Earth) and ERGO (Work), meaning The One who is tilling the soil. People named George, Gergana all celebrate a name day on May 6th each year.

This day has a multi-pronged significance for Bulgarians in as much as it entails numerous religious and secular elements.

On that day the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the Christian warrior overpowering the forces of evil. This is depicted on orthodox icons showing a horseman on a white horse stabbing a dragon with its lance. In England St George is the patron saint, so we too know a lot about St George and the Dragon.

For other special celebrations in May see Labour Day and Culture and Literacy Day. In our #Culture blog posts you will find information about other special days.

Usually in Lyaskovets the Annual Sheep Festival is on the weekend closest to St George’s Day. You should not miss it. It is one of the biggest celebrations in the Bulgarian Festival calendar. See our name days post for other Bulgarian celebrations.