What is tradition for Ivanovden?
18: Ivanovden (Saint John’s day) is on 7 January. It is celebrated as name day of persons with names Ivan (John), Ivana, Yana, Yanko, Yoan, Yoana, Jan, Iva, Ivelina etc. In the church calendar, this is the day celebrated in honour of Saint John the Baptist who baptized Jesus. It is also the holiday of all who bear the Saint’s name. By old Bulgarian custom at early dawn – before sunrise – young women brought water from a river or a well. In a large caldron, referred to as “chebar”, they bathed the children for health. The young couples, who had married in the winter before St. John’s Day, were also given a bath in this “chebar”. Then the lads went visiting all the houses and bathing all boys and men named John. St. John was believed to be the patron of sponsorship and sworn brotherhood. On St. John’s Day everybody visits his sponsor, the young couples bring him a ring-shaped bun, cheese- or other pastry and wine, as well as blood-pudding and roasted pork.
