Bulgarian Christian Orthodox Honor Saint Sava

Bulgarian Christian Orthodox mark Wednesday, December 5, the Day of Saint Sava or Sabbas.

St. Sabbas was born in 439. He is a Cappadocian-Greek monk, priest and saint, who lived mainly in Palestine. He was the founder of several monasteries, most notably the one known as Mar Saba.

In Bulgarian folklore Sava is the brother Saint Varvara, who is honored the day before and Saint Nikola, honored on December 6, called in Bulgaria "Nikulden." Sava is presented as the best from the three siblings, always walking behind Varvara, asking her to not drop ice from her sleeve on the fields.

Varvara and Sava are also said to be the ones to prepare the "Nikulden" celebration. According to a Bulgarian proverb, Varvara is cooking, Sava is baking while Nikola is treating guests with food.