26 October is devoted to St. Dimitri of Thessalonica

My notes for October 27, 2003 say "This year's first snowfall in Bulgaria came as no surprise on Monday, a day after people in the country honored 'the winter herald' - Orthodox Saint Dimitri. On Monday afternoon the snow was falling for a few hours and made a thin cover which melted away as the night fell. "

According to Christian tradition, the master of snow and frost rode a red horse and the first snowfalls scattered from his big white beard. On his holiday - October 26 - people across Bulgaria who bear the name Dimitar, Dimitrina, Mitko or Dimo traditionally host parties to celebrate their Name's Day. As far as farming is concerned, on 26th October the wooden ploughs are put in a dry and secure place and the firewood is arranged.

With 'Dimitrovden' the season of weddings and engagements starts. Traditionally, a meeting is arranged between the young people of the village with a view to marriage. On 26th October the lads choose their prospective wives from a group of maidens who perform a special national dance called “horo”.