Feast of Vinegrowers - Tryphon Zarezan
Description:
It is a holiday in honor of the Christian priest Tryphon, who was executed in Nicea in 250 AD. According to legend, on the day of execution, all the vineyards of the country were attacked by insects and vineyards called on Saint Tryphon to protect them.
According to tradition, on this day, the vines were cut to get a large harvest in autumn, so St. Tryphon in Bulgaria is called Zarezan (Cut). Now the Day of St. Tryphon is celebrated not only by vineyards, but also by gardeners, gardeners and owners of wine taverns.
On February 14, Bulgarian women rise with the sunrise. They stew and roast on a sachak (a shallow copper pan) chicken stuffed with rice, and pour into a special wooden vessel - buclitz - homemade wine. They put everything together with homemade bread in a new wool bag, and the owner of the house, throwing the bag over his shoulder, goes to the vineyards, where all the other men of the village are already gathering. From this moment the celebration begins.
After Tryphon comes spring, and the vine growers will no longer have the opportunity to relax and gather in cheerful company. Therefore, for three days in the Bulgarian villages there is a smoke of horse meat, there is a noisy festivities. In the vineyard, men overshadow themselves with a cross, each of them takes a garden knife and cuts three branches from three large vines. Then, crossing again, they pour the wine brought with them on the vines. The election of the king of the vineyards begins. The king is placed on his head a crown of vines, over his shoulder throw a grape garland. He sits on a cart that the vineyards themselves pull.
After reaching the village, this procession walks the streets, stopping in front of each house. The hostess takes out the wine in a white vessel and offers to drink first to the king, and then to all participants of the procession. The remnants of the wine are thrown over his shoulder to the cry of “May our harvest be rich!” May our house be a full cup! The king replies, "Amen."
The procession reaches the house of the king of the vineyards, where he, having changed his clothes and leaving a wreath and garland, sits at the head of a magnificently laid table, to which all the inhabitants of the village are invited. The king is chosen from among the wealthy so that he can feed everyone in the district. Wine on this day pours river: according to legend, the new wine will be the same as that served at the table on Tryphon Zarezan.
On the second day of the holiday, lighter food is served and in large quantities - compotes and brine, so that men can recover after drinking the day before. The next two days are celebrated as giving protection from wolves. All this time, women do not cut with scissors to prevent the wolf's mouth from opening, do not knit, do not sew. They bake ceremonial bread and put pieces of it in livestock feed to protect cattle and people from predators.
Recently, following changes in the church calendar, the Triphon Zarezan Festival began to be celebrated on February 1. In many areas, however, the holiday continues to be celebrated on February 14.