In the calendar of the Roman Empire, in which the first month belongs to the god of war – Mars, the seventh one is called September, from the Latin Septimus. But after the calendar was reformed in 46 BC, September became the ninth month. Old Russians called September kresnin, ossen or siven, the proto-Bulgarians called it ruyan or zarev month. The Ukrainians call it maik or serpen. People in Bulgaria call it also the grape-picking month.

 

1 September

Holiday: Simeonovden (sea-me-on-off-den) (St. Simeon’s Day)

This is the beginning of the church New Year. On this day people start sowing the autumn plants. Early in the morning the woman of the house cleans the house, rubs the planks on the floor with wood ashes, takes the clothes out into the sun and sweeps the grain in the barn. It is believed that if the house is clean the grain harvest will be good. Then she kneads a ritual round loaf, soaking the cloth through which the water is strained with St. George’s Day dew. She feeds the oxen and the man of the house with the bread. Then she puts the oxen into the harness and lights a candle on their horns. She throws a plate of wheat in front of the animals, wheat from the one incensed on Voditzi and the rest is mixed with the grain ready for sewing, to put strength in it. In the bushel she puts a red egg that she has kept from Easter to be buried in the first furrow in the field for fertility. The name Simeon comes from the Hebrew Shimon, which means ‘hearing of the wish’.

 

8 September

Holiday: Malka Bogoroditsa (mall-ka boe-go-roe-dee-tsa) (Virgin Mary’s Day)

The evening before this day those who are ailing make an oath. First the bread of Virgin Mary is prepared, decorated with a bride’s bracelet. An Easter doll covered with honey is then put on it. After it is baked, the sick men break the bread. They throw the first piece through the chimney and eat the second, saying: “As long as I live I’ll not put goat meat in my mouth. For the illness – a honey bread, for me – cure and health!” Then they pour red wine on the floor from a clay bowl and the rest he drinks himself. Old people believe that these steps will make any illness go away. The oath should not be broken till the grave.

 

14 September

Holiday: Krastovden (crust-off-den) (Holy Cross Day)
Nameday: Krastyo, Krastina
Remind me

From this day on people start getting ready for grape gathering. They repair the hoops of the kegs in which the wine will be poured, the wheelbarrows that they carry the grapes in and the vessels used to press the grapes. Big and small baskets are woven for the grape-pickers. That is why in some places Holy Cross Day is called “Grape-picker”.

 

16 September

Nameday: Lyudmil, Lyudmila
Remind me

Lyudmil means ‘dear, loved by people’.

 

17 September

Holiday: Viara, Nadezhda, Lyubov (Faith, Hope and Love)
Nameday: Luben, Lubomir, Luba, Sophia, Nadezhda, Viara
Remind me

The Bulgarians celebrate this day as the day of love. People give fresh white flowers to their beloved, light candles in church so that faith, hope and love are kindled in every home.