Horse races lead Todorovden celebrations in Bulgaria

The first Saturday of Great Lent is dedicated to Saint Theodore Tiron, who is also commemorated by the Church on 17 February. On this day, the Church recalls how the saint thwarted the plans of the Byzantine Emperor Julian the Apostate, who sought to mock Christians during the Lenten fast. Thanks to St Theodore, Christians sustained themselves on boiled wheat for an entire week, thereby foiling the emperor’s scheme.

To commemorate this miracle, kolivo - boiled wheat - is blessed in Orthodox churches. At the end of the festive liturgy, it is distributed to the faithful as a blessing for health and salvation.

• Kolivo-painting to honour the saints

For the festive table, households prepare favourite Lenten dishes made with lentils, beans, dried peppers, sauerkraut and pickled vegetables. After five days of strict fasting, oil and olive oil are added to the meal. A little wine is also permitted, and a toast is offered to those celebrating their name day under the saint’s patronage.

According to folk belief, Todorovden is associated with the care of horses, which is why it is also known as ‘Horse Easter’. In some parts of the country, early in the morning men braid the horses’ tails and manes, decorate them with flowers and tassels, and lead them to water. Women bake ritual loaves adorned with horseshoe-shaped ornaments and prepare boiled wheat, which they take to church to be blessed.

The celebration concludes with the traditional horse race, known as the ‘kushiya’ — a living tradition also documented in Radio Bulgaria’s archives:

• Horse races on Todorovden – an undying tradition
• “Brave Todor shoeing his horse…”
• Todorovden combines pagan beliefs and Orthodox canon

Editor: Elena Karkalanova