St. Basil the Great (Survaki)

On 1 January the Bulgarian people noted Circumcision of Jesus and honor the memory of St. Basil the Great. The holiday Circumcision of Jesus recalls the circumcision of baby Jesus on the eighth day after his birth.

St. Basil the Great was a great Christian thinker, philosopher and writer. He realized the idea of ​​Christ's law of love and forgiveness by laying the foundations of Christian charity activities. Basil, who while still alive, called the Great, was gifted with prophetic power that enabled him to foresee the day of his death.

Customs and traditions of St. Basil

In the folk calendar Basil called Survaki for custom sourvakne. According to tradition the children go round the houses and Cornel survachki wish health and prosperity of farmers and the house.

The hosts donate Sourvakars with buns, dried fruit, petty cash and goodies. With best wishes Sourvakars have to chase evil powers in the wild during the "dirty" days and to protect people from them.

Table of the feast

Festive table of Basil is also rich in oil. Among the obligatory dishes are pork trotters and rooster or turkey. Bake and pie or cake with Cornel fortune. On the table are placed walnuts, honey, wheat and oshaf. Required table is incensed to drive away evil spirits.

It was believed that this time of year is best for predicting the future and on this day made some predictions.

Superstitions and divination

The first bite of the pie lucky lasses and lads put under your pillow, believing that she dreamed he would be their future husband (wife).

If the walnuts are large and strong, healthy family will be.

In some areas of the onion that is cadets cut into twelve rings, put salt on each and every call them the twelve months. In the morning check if the salt on the wheel has melted, this month will be rainy, if not, the weather this month will be clear and dry.

Around the fire or table speculate about upcoming fortunes during the New Year. One of cornel whose bud burst and jumped highest will be healthy throughout the year.

Sneezes someone is accepted as a good sign and the name of a sneeze is called first born in spring pet.

Marked by a thread ivy leaves left under the eaves overnight in a bowl of water. Morning predict as it whose leaf is fresh or withered.

With water in which it is framed dogwood, girls and women wash their hair to be healthy and shiny.

Imenden celebrate Vasil, Vasilka, Veselin, Veselina, Vesela and derivative names.