published on 15.09.2008, 11:48 Author: Svetla Ivanova Article rating:
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Martyr Dimitri was born in the family of the Saloniki chief. His father believed in Christ but never announced publicly his faith.
Upon the death of his parents, the young Dimitri inherited their wealth, both material and spiritual.
Emperor Diocletian made Dimitri town chief and the young man got the difficult task to prosecute Christians. He decided to do the exact opposite and started preaching openly.
In the autumn of 306, emperor Galerius was passing through Saloniki and saw Dimitri preaching. Galerius opposed Christianity and decided to throw the young town chief in prison.
While in prison, Dimitri asked God to take his soul. He also blessed a gladiator by the name of Nestor. Because of the blessing Nestor managed to defeat his fierce enemy but the emperor asked for his death. Once the emperor learned that Dimitri gave Nestor his blessing, the emperor decided to kill him, as well.
On October 26 soldiers tortured and killed Dimitri. His remains were said to cure people and were placed in a small church. They are also said to have saved Saloniki from conquest on several occasions.
Bulgarians and Greeks both honor the saint.
According to folk beliefs, St. Dimitur’s day marks the beginning of winter.
Legends have it that St. Dimitur is patron of the winter. The saint rides a red horse and brings frost alongside.
The end of field work is usually marked with celebrations, dances and traditional songs. Laborers are freed from work on that day.
Bulgarians also honor the memory of their dead relatives. Graves are cleaned and bread is taken to the graveyard.
The so-called “mishi dni” (mouse days) begin right after the holiday. In order to protect household items and crops from mice, women do not touch sharp objects and refrain from sewing and knitting. Men do not take crops from the granary.
Whether these rituals helped them or not, Bulgarians followed them throughout the centuries, while dealing with nature and trying to produce sufficient amounts of food.
Upon the death of his parents, the young Dimitri inherited their wealth, both material and spiritual.
Emperor Diocletian made Dimitri town chief and the young man got the difficult task to prosecute Christians. He decided to do the exact opposite and started preaching openly.
In the autumn of 306, emperor Galerius was passing through Saloniki and saw Dimitri preaching. Galerius opposed Christianity and decided to throw the young town chief in prison.
While in prison, Dimitri asked God to take his soul. He also blessed a gladiator by the name of Nestor. Because of the blessing Nestor managed to defeat his fierce enemy but the emperor asked for his death. Once the emperor learned that Dimitri gave Nestor his blessing, the emperor decided to kill him, as well.
On October 26 soldiers tortured and killed Dimitri. His remains were said to cure people and were placed in a small church. They are also said to have saved Saloniki from conquest on several occasions.
Bulgarians and Greeks both honor the saint.
According to folk beliefs, St. Dimitur’s day marks the beginning of winter.
Legends have it that St. Dimitur is patron of the winter. The saint rides a red horse and brings frost alongside.
The end of field work is usually marked with celebrations, dances and traditional songs. Laborers are freed from work on that day.
Bulgarians also honor the memory of their dead relatives. Graves are cleaned and bread is taken to the graveyard.
The so-called “mishi dni” (mouse days) begin right after the holiday. In order to protect household items and crops from mice, women do not touch sharp objects and refrain from sewing and knitting. Men do not take crops from the granary.
Whether these rituals helped them or not, Bulgarians followed them throughout the centuries, while dealing with nature and trying to produce sufficient amounts of food.
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