14/02/2019
14 February is not only St Valentine's Day. For centuries on the same day something else has been celebrated, that is strongly associated with the intoxication of love: St. Trifun Zarezan, considered the patron saint of wine and of restaurant owners. The tradition is observed by the orthodox church where local priests bless the branches of a vine plant in order to bless the new grape growing season. The feast is orthodox Christian in its origins and can also be considered as a symbol of the connection between land and the spirits to wish a fruitful harvest. St. Trifun was born in 3rd century in a pious family in Phrygia, Asia Minor, part of present Turkey. The name Trifun can be explained as of a noble spirit. Legend says he cured the daughter of the ruler of the Roman Empire, Gordian III, and as a result was given presents and honours which he gave to the poor. Later he was tortured and killed by the Romans. He is considered a saint and his remains were transfered to Kotor in Montenegro. He was much celebrated in Asia minor in the 5th century AD and in Constantinople. Later the calendar changed and the data of his feast changed to 14 February.

As the Orthodox Church believed in the power of prayer to saints like St. Trifun, they set up this tradition which is done in fields, gardens or vineyards, against illnesses which may be caused by insects, mice and other animals. When you spread some oil considered to be given by St. Trifun across a field, garden or vineyard, it is considered to be protected by St. Trifun. In such a way St. Trifun became the patron of field crops. It's culture is followed in different forms in Bulgaria, Serbia or Macedonia but it always tends to pay attention to the vineyards, at the moment when they are still sleeping because of the winter cold. The blessing is said to give the plant strength after this long winter’s sleep, so that it will flourish in spring and will bring fruit later that year. In Macedonia this is considered the moment when the farmers can start the pruning of the plants.
Of course after the initial celebration there will be rich dinners with abundant wine.
