Trifon zarezan

 holiday of the tavern-keepers and gardeners

Trifon Zarezan, Zarezanov-day, Trifun chipia, Trifun Zarezoi, Trifun  drunkard – holiday of the tavern-keepers and gardeners, who are patronized by the saint-healer Trifon. on 1st February the Orthodox church celebrates St. Martyr Trifon- saint- healer born in 225 year in the Asian Minor province Frigia. He was only 17 years old when he became famous by healing the daughter of the Roman emperor Gordian ІІІ. But Gordian’s heir – Detsii Traian, becomes an enemy of the Christian principles. He gives an order all respected saints to be judged in the court. One of them was Trifon, who never refused his believing and died martyr’s. The holyday of Trifon Zarezan is a holiday of the vine-growers, tavern-keepers and gardeners. According of Bulgarians’ ideas Trifon’s image is enriched with different legends. The most popular of them is telling about the saint, who cut off his nose while he was cutting the vineyard, that’s why we call him Trifon Zarezan. In lots of villages in Bulgaria the main ritual of cutting the vineyards is made on 14th February. All the village people, leaded by the mayor, the priests and musicians go after the church gonfalons. Everyone is carrying a flat cake, boiled chicken or sausages, wine vessel and holy water. Each one of the winegrowers cuts off a few sticks or three roots and pours on the place with wine. The cutting ritual is accompanied with blessings for rich crops. The holiday ends with a big celebration.