St Trifon the Martyr
On 1 February each year, the Church commemorates St Trifon the Martyr. He was born in Phrygia, in Asia Minor, in the third century. According to his life story, he healed the sick and drove out evil spirits while still a child. He later died as a martyr during the reign of Emperor Decius.
The church feast is known in Bulgarian as Trifonovden, meaning St Trifon’s Day. Its date is distinct from the related winegrowers’ celebration that remains popular on 14 February.
Two Dates and Vine-Pruning Traditions
The church feast falls on 1 February under the new-style calendar. The traditional winegrowers’ holiday, Trifon Zarezan, has remained on 14 February in many areas. That date corresponds to 1 February under the old calendar, which explains why both dates are observed in Bulgaria.
Some villages carry out the ritual pruning of vines on 1 February, while others do so on 14 February. The customs are the same on either date: men go to the vineyard, cut three vine shoots each, pour wine over the vines and choose a “king of the vineyards”. Trifon Zarezan is the Bulgarian name for this vine-pruning celebration.
Name Days and Public Holiday Status
St Trifon’s Day is not a public holiday: it is a normal working day in Bulgaria.
People named Trifon, Trifonka and those with related names celebrate their name day on 1 February. This personal celebration shares the date of the church commemoration, regardless of which date a village follows for its vine-pruning customs.