Petkovden: names, customs and table

Petkovden: names, customs and table

Petkovden is one of the great national holidays, with which we mark the end of warm weather and the onset of winter. It is celebrated on October 14.

Nouns

Petko, Petka, Petkan, Petra, Petrana, Petrina, Petria, Petrichka, Petkana, Penko, Penka, Paraskev, Paraskeva, Parashkev, Parashkeva, Parush, Keva

Customs

The insemination of domestic animals, known among the people as "merlene" or "sheep wedding", is also common on Petkovden. While fertilization lasts, women should not take up any work - they do not knit and sew, they do not wash and they do not knead dough, in order to give birth to healthy and agile livestock. However, after the fertilization of the sheep, they bake fresh pies, which they distribute among themselves around the village.

In some parts of Bulgaria, on the Saturday before the holiday, the Petkov stew is celebrated. On this day, in memory of the deceased, horseshoes sprinkled with boiled wheat are distributed; also – sweetened rice, watermelon and grapes.

The winter Petkovden is not only a holiday in honor of St. Petka (Paraskeva) as the protector of children, but also marks the beginning of respect for the patron saint of the family and kindred. The people celebrate this day as the beginning of the winter holidays - votive sacrifices and gatherings are made. Women give out loaves of bread for the health of animals. St. Five protects marriage and fertility. On Petkovden, cakes are kneaded, and the largest of them is named after St. Petka. The bread and the house should be sprinkled with holy water and the whole household should worship the bread three times.

Since the days from Petkovden to Dimitrovden are considered "dirty" and "unclean", during this time revelry is prohibited, magic and spells are cast, the year is guessed, and each day corresponds to a month in her.

A meal

Lamb meat, Kurban soup, leek stew, sarmi should be present at the Petkovden table

On Petkovden, cakes are kneaded, and the largest of them is named after St. Petka. The bread and the house should be sprinkled with holy water and the whole household should worship the bread three times.