On Todorovden, the table is lean. Characteristic of the holiday is the preparation of ritual breads, and together with them they serve the traditional salad with peppers and leeks. Learn more about the holiday and the traditional recipe.
The first week of Lent after Sirni Zagovezni is called Todorova “Nedelya” (Todor’s week), because on Saturday Todoroven is celebrated. In folklore, Todor’s week is one of the most dangerous periods of the year: it is a transition between Winter and Spring, and in a sense between death and life. St. Todor’s Day is also called Horse Easter, because the saint is considered a mythical protector of horses (also donkeys), as well as their owners. That is why the holiday itself is dedicated to horses – not to get sick and to breed.
On Todorovden in many places in Bulgaria horse races, called “kushii”, are held, in which young men participate. Such is the tradition in Razlog (near the village of Godlevo, in the village of Bachevo and others). The holiday begins with a holy liturgy for the health of the villagers and horses. The women knead and distribute ritual breads to each other, giving them to the horses as well. The ritual behavior of daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law is typical – they kick, jump and whine, as it is believed that these movements symbolically help the mares give birth more easily. Another action is performed on the morning of this day, with the daughters-in-law facing East and bowing three times to their mothers-in-law to show them that they can reap low wheat. The ritual is accompanied by the performance of the local songs “Siten dazh zarosi, oi Tudo” and “Todore le, libe le”.
In the past, at sunrise, men braided horses’ tails and manes, decorated them with beads, tassels and flowers, and took them to a watering hole. At the same time, the riders were decorated with geraniums, and the horses were ritually fed with salt, sugar, garlic, corn and bread, and this is still done today. Then comes the equestrian competition – races are held, and in more recent times towing loads, a competition for the fastest and strongest horse and more. The winning horse was decorated with wreaths and its owner took it first to the village. In the past, a dance was held in the house of the happy host and a table with different dishes was prepared.