It's St. Athanasius Day

News.bg, Jan 18, 2008

The Orthodox Church celebrates on January 18 the day of St. Atanasius, in Bulgarian Atanasovden.
According to local beliefs, St. Atanasius is the ruler of snow and ice. This holiday is also known as the Mid-winter Day.
When it's St. Athanasius Day, the spring is on its way. St. Atanasius' Day honors the patron of blacksmiths and he symbolizes immortality.

In some parts of Bulgaria single young men and women go out to the meadows that day and tie swings, sway, sing or dance folklore dances.

St. Athanasius the Greatwas born of Christian parents and educated in Alexandria's catechetical school. He vigorously defended Orthodoxy and refused all compromise with Arians and semi-Arians, who were, strongly represented at the imperial court.

St. Athanasius was a prolific author and strongly contributed to the theology of the Redemption.

Name dayof everyone named Atanas, Atanaska, Nasso, Nacho, Tinka, Nasya, Totka.