Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-12-24
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The months first day, the years first day
the first of January, -,
The circumcision day of Christ, and like
wise of st. Basil
st. Basil, see, is coming here, from Cappa-
docla coming, :,
A paper in his hand he holds, and carries
pen and inkhorn.
With pen and inkhorn doth he write, and
reads he from the paper.
Say, Basil, say, whence comest thou, and
whittier art thou wending!'
81 from my home have now come forth,
and | to school am going"
"Sit down and eat, sit down and drink, sit
down and sing thou for u.s."
" IT'S only letters that ! learn-of Singing
know nothing"
"Oh, then, if you your letters know, say us
your Alpha, Beta
And as he leaned upon his staff, to say MS
Alpha, Beta,
forth freshest branches.
And on the topmost branch of all there
perched and sang a partridge, :,
Who water took up in her claws, and oil
upon her feathers,
TO sprinkle on her ladyship, her nobleness
to sprinkle.
SuperstitiOus Beliefs.
Among the Bulgarians the long
connection of the Bulgarian with the
Greek Church has naturally led to
the assimilation of many of its super
stitious beliefs and customs, and their
festivals show curious fusion OF old
heather rites with superstltious
Christian observances.
The year opens during the feast OF
the winter solstice, called by the Bull
garians "Kulada." Like the Halo
w'een of Scotland, 1t Is a great time
among the girls, for all kinds OF d.
vinatory rites respecting their future
spouses, and to every line or verse OF
songs sung during this festive period
is added the refrain Of Hey Kulada,
moy Kulada."
The linn, or demons, are at this
season supposed to be especially alert
and powerful against mankind, and
the Bulgarians, like the inhabitants
of Asia Minor during the similar OBJ
servance of the Fishoti, consider 1t
necessary to take every precaution
against their malevolence. log or
wood is left in every cart, and water
in every pitcher, in order to prevent
any demon taking possession OF them
and by his presence rendering them
too heavy to lift or draw.
The Albanians are careful at this
season not to leave any article OF
wearing apparel out OF doors after
nightfall, and If by some oversight
garment should be so left 1t is washed
before being used, in order to get rid
of any spell cast upon it by the super
nails.
Fire ceremonies play great part
in the Christmas and New Years OBJ
servances of the Albanian highland
ers. On the eve of St. Basil, January
!, the fire Is kept burning all night,
and the half-burned cherry branches
rescued from the Christmas fire are
again thrown on and withdrawn to
be wholly consumed on the eve Of the
Epiphany, when the ashes are col
lected and strewn in the vineyard.
In the morning people wash them
selves and their children In "unspo-
remover" water, and draw omens
from the character, grave or gay, Of
the person who first enters the house.
A cock is also sacrificed, for 1t Is au-
spicious to spill blood in the house on
St. Basil's Day.
New Years in Russia.
New Years customs in Russia are
also interesting. In the morning the
princes of the imperial family, court
functionaries and servants Of the pal
ace come in regular order to present
their homage to the Emperor, who
kisses all the members of his family