St. Stephen's Day closes the circle of the old year, because on this day the Christmas holidays end. On this day the family gathers around a common table with meat dishes.
You can read more about folk holidays and customs here.
Folklore collection "Once upon a time - manners and worldview of the Bulgarians"
Saint Stephen was the founder of the first Christian community and the first Christian martyr of the Jerusalem community. People from all walks of life came there and donated their property. This newly established community was well organized and the Jews envied this. They turned the people against its founder, slandering him for speaking against God and against the law of Moses. The enraged people believed and sentenced him to death - stoning. Shortly before he died, he looked up to heaven and prayed: "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!", and at that time the Virgin Mary watched his torment and suffering and prayed for him. His body was left to the beasts and birds. In the 5th century, part of his relics were discovered through a vision and taken to the Temple of Zion in Jerusalem.
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