On December 4, the Orthodox Church honors Saint Barbara, who is the patron saint of those who died suddenly – those who did not have time to repent and receive communion, writes "Darik".
Saint Barbara, born into the family of a pagan aristocrat from Iliopol, was distinguished by her special beauty. She met Christians and accepted holy baptism, and when the father learned that his daughter had become a Christian, he ordered her to be flogged and received the consent of the governor of the city Martian to sentence her to death. By order of the father, Barbara was beheaded. Legend has it that God's retribution overtook Barbara's father and the governor of the city – both were struck by lightning. In the 6th century, the relics of Saint Barbara were transferred to Constantinople.
In some regions of the country, Saint Barbara was considered the patroness of sick children, especially those suffering from smallpox, which is why people called her "Baba Sharka". Women kneaded and distributed "bathed" cakes for health. Another custom was to boil beans and place a few grains on the child's knee and have him eat them without his hands.
In other places, Saint Barbara was revered as the patroness of poultry. The holiday was also called Women's Christmas, as the girls would change into costumes, go around the homes and sing songs for health.
On this day, fortune-telling was performed at the sedenki (sedenki) to see which girl would marry which boy.
In Bulgarian folklore, there is a saying about the customs accompanying the holidays of St. Barbara - St. Sava (December 5) and St. Nicholas (December 6): "Varvara boils, Sava bakes, Nicholas welcomes guests".
In Boboshevo, the holiday of St. Barbara is celebrated by lighting large bonfires at the crossroads. The boys jump over them for health and compete to see which neighborhood will light the biggest fire, while the girls knead cakes and cook various legumes: wheat, beans, rye, barley, corn, peas, lentils, etc. they distribute to everyone for health.
They celebrate Bartholomej, Varcho, Varadin, Varvara, Varadina, Varka, Varya