Celebrating name days is a unique and deeply rooted practice in Bulgaria closely tied to Christian beliefs. Before the influence of Christianity, pagan cultures celebrated birthdays as a sacred event, but the church viewed physical birth as insignificant compared to spiritual birth, which occurred through baptism. To oppose pagan rituals associated with birthdays, the Christian church introduced the practice of commemorating a saint’s day. It established the custom of celebrating one’s name day as a personal holiday.
Despite efforts to replace birthday celebrations with name days, the Christian fathers failed to eradicate the practice of birthday celebrations. Some countries, such as Poland and Hungary, celebrate name days more ceremoniously than birthdays. The church’s influence in these countries is evident in the emphasis on celebrating a saint’s day. However, in some cases, Christian holidays related to birth, such as the Nativity of Christ, were added to the calendar under the pressure of pagan traditions.
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has demonstrated remarkable “philological” skills in its approach to name days, honoring Christian and pagan names that were once prevalent in the culture. For example, the celebration of St. Vasil’s Day on January 1st also includes the name days of Veselin, Veselina, and Vulko, Vulkana, which are heathen names that start with the same sound as Vasil and Vasilka. Similarly, the name days of Galin and Galina are celebrated on St. George’s Day. One of the most celebrated names days is Todorovden, which is celebrated by Todor, Todora, Teodora, Teodor, Theodor, and Bozhidar.
It is fascinating that the second Sunday after Pentecost, or the Sunday of All Bulgarian Saints, is designated for the memory of Christian saints with pagan names such as Asen, Asparukh, Krum, Rumen, and Chavdar. These historical names are celebrated alongside Christian names, demonstrating the unique blend of Christian and pagan traditions in Bulgaria.
While name day celebrations are rooted in Christian beliefs, the fusion of pagan and Christian traditions has resulted in a unique hybrid in Bulgaria. This practice demonstrates the country’s rich history and culture and highlights the church’s skillful navigation in honoring Christian and pagan names in their calendar. Celebrating name days in Bulgaria is a cherished tradition that reflects the country’s religious and cultural heritage.
