Saint Nicholas

Nikulden—St. Nicholas Day—December 6th, is a great winter festival. Bulgarians celebrate St. Nicholas as the protector of sailors and fishermen. Stories are told of St. Nikolay, the commander of the sea, calming wind and storms and walking over the sea to rescue ships in danger. Like Greek sailors, Bulgarians keep icons of St. Nicholas on shipboard, seeking protection from storms. Sailors' wives put icons of Nicholas into the sea, praying to St. Nicolay to bring their husbands safely back to shore.