Bulgarian Christians Celebrate St. Andrew's Day: A Tradition Marking the Shift from Autumn to Winter

On November 30, Bulgarian Christians celebrate St. Andrew's Day (Andreev den), marking the transition between autumn and winter. This day honors St. Andrew, the first-called apostle of Christ. In Bulgaria, it is also known as Bear Day, a tradition tied to St. Andrew being regarded as the lord of bears. The holiday blends Christian and folk customs, symbolizing fertility and protection from bears while also signaling the lengthening of daylight hours.

The holiday's origins intertwine Christian reverence for the apostle with local beliefs. St. Andrew, often depicted as a figure of strength and resilience, is said to drive away winter and long nights, initiating the gradual growth of daylight from his feast day onward. This connection to nature and cycles of growth has embedded the day deeply in Bulgarian folklore, aligning it with customs that promote health, prosperity, and harmony with the natural world.

St. Andrew's Day occurs during the Christmas fast, so the festive table traditionally includes lean dishes made with grains such as beans, corn, lentils, and bulgur—foods that "thrive" or swell. Folk customs emphasize abundance and fertility, with women boiling various grains the night before. On the morning of the feast, a portion of these grains would be tossed up the chimney to ensure tall crops, while the rest would be shared among family members.

A unique aspect of the celebration is its association with bears. In folk legends, St. Andrew tames or defeats bears, sometimes harnessing them to plow his field. This imagery underscores his role as a protector and symbolizes humanity's ability to coexist with nature. The belief that the saint safeguards people from bears has lent the day its colloquial name of Bear Day in many regions.