St Anthony translated by Ann Wood
Today, according to an old Bulgarian tradition, Winter Antonovden or Lelinden is celebrated...The popular celebration of Antonov Day is connected with the idea of the saint, the patron saint of the plague or diseases in general.
In traditional medicine, it is believed that the power of verbena and sage was used against the plague. As a holiday in honor of the plague, Antonovden is known under the name Lelinden, born from the taboo name of the disease - "aunt".
In the Bulgarian worldview, there is a close connection between the saints Anton and Athanas, who are venerated one after the other. They think of themselves as two brothers. In the Pirin region, there is a belief that all diseases gather on the day of the first brother, and on the next day (Atanasovden), the second brother lets them "go after people". These worldviews also determine the very ritual of the holiday. The women prepare and distribute honey-smeared fresh pies, one of which is necessarily left to appease the disease (the aunt).
On this day, young brides knead loaves and distribute them, smeared with honey. These breads are called blagh, fresh or chumini.
The prohibitions against boiling beans, lentils, and corn are strictly observed, so that children do not get sick from smallpox. Do not sew or knit, because if a person is stabbed, it will not heal easily. On this day, women should not work, so that misfortune does not befall them.
Short story by Ann Wood
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Written on 2023-01-17 at 08:59
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