Bulgaria's Fishermen, Sailors and Bankers Honor today St Nikolas
Bulgarian fishermen, sailors and bankers are celebrating on December 6 their common patron, Christian St Nicholas.
This is a major winter festival celebrated by all Bulgarians.
According to the mythology, St Nicholas is roaming the seas and helping ships that might be in trouble. He is the master of the entire submarine realm - fish, mermaids and water demons, as well as of the sea winds. (The saint is the popular epitome of Neptune.)
St. Nicholas makes winds rage and cease, he can walk on the seas, and whenever there is a ship in trouble, he would save it. This Saint is protector of sailors and fishermen. His festival honours the marine element, seas, rivers and lakes. The offering is fish, carp as a rule, because it is considered the Saint’s servant. The fishermen would sail out early in the morning to catch fresh fish.
The traditional Nikulden dish is oven-baked carp, stuffed with rice, walnuts, raisins and herbs. Bulgarian tradition requires for the fishbones to be then reduced to ashes, buried underground or thrown down a river. This ritual is believed to bring well-being to the family.
Meanwhile, on the Christian orthodox tradition, people named Nikolay, Nikola and Nikolina invite friends and family members to big Name's Day parties.
Source: www.novinite.com
(06.12.2012)