Nickulden
Description:
St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, who was born in 280 in the Asia Minor province of Lycia, lived during the time of Emperor Constantine the Great and was the archbishop of the city of Mir. He participated in the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. He died in 325, leaving behind a memory of amazing sea miracles in the rescue of ships and sailors during wrecks. It is believed that St. Nicholas has power over the sea winds and currents - he is obedient to sea storms and hurricanes. That is why boats and ships do not go to the open sea on this day. Fishermen, sailors and their families take part in the ceremonial liturgy, and after it arrange a lush day of St. Nicholas in Bulgaria (or, as it is called, Nikulden) is a holiday of all fishermen and sailors (more recently - and bankers).
The central point in this feast is a fish dish. It is prepared in different parts in different ways, but carp is always preferred of all fish. It is believed that the carp - "servant" of St. Nicholas. On this day, the following case is usually remembered: once, when a saint in the open sea was overtaken by a storm, and the bottom of the lifeboat was broken by an incoming wave, he climbed into the water with his hand, pulled out a carp and closed the hole for them. Since then, carp is considered a sacrificial fish to the table on this day. Therefore, the holiday is also called “Fish St. Nicholas”. Carp is cooked in dough, with stuffing from rice, nuts and raisins. This dish is called the fisherman. The custom also tells the housewife to keep the cross bone from the head of the fish, which is considered curative for various diseases. Mothers often sew it to the caps of babies to protect them from evil eyes. Widely preserved in the people and the belief that the scales of carp, if stored in the wallet, will bring over time a lot of money.
Bulgarians venerate St. Nicholas as the guardian of the family, home and good. In the western regions of the country, traditions have been preserved to celebrate on this day the “object”, “service” or “victory” – a special visit of the oldest representatives of the family to the birthday house, to the “evening service”. This visit is arranged by a group of unmarried girls and unmarried guys who go around the homes of relatives and invite them to the “service”. When entering the birthday house, guests usually say “St. Nicholas to help us!” The oldest cadet feast with cumin, raises bread high above his head and blesses it. After a profuse feast, older men go to the next birthday boy to visit "to do the service" and so on until they bypass the whole family, and this often takes all night until the morning. The group is often joined by young men, mainly to support the older members of the family (popularly called “drunken elders”) in their heavy “service”.
The ceremony on this day has a wedding character. Girls who are to get married come to church in the morning, put gifts before the icon of the saint and fervently ask him to help them in this matter. In the evening, they dance in front of everyone, holding hands, dancing choro (choro girls), and the boys and their parents watch them from the sidelines and choose a daughter-in-law.
Astoll in honor of the saint.