Saint Nicholas Day Since Nikoljdan always falls in the fasting period preceding Christmas, it is celebrated according to the Eastern Orthodox fasting rules ("Post"). Fasting refers in this context to the eating of a restricted diet for reasons of religion. This entails the complete avoidance of animal-sourced food products (meat, milk, dairy products and eggs). Fish may be eaten on certain days In Bulgaria, Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on the 6 December as "Nikulden". Families invite relatives, sponsors and neighbors for a meal of fish (usually "ribnik", a carp wrapped in dough) and two loaves of ceremonial bread, all of which are
Saint Nicholas in Glory maidens saved by Nicholas according to the legend. Below him are St. John the Baptist (patron of one of the donors) and St. Lucy, whose tooth is alleged to have been preserved in the church as a holy relic. The lower part is occupied by a dark landscape, featuring, amongst other details, a sea harbor and a port struck by a storm. The style of this section shows the influence of the Danube school. The small scene of St. George killing the dragon was added to fulfill one of the donor's wishes. Saint Nicholas in Glory Saint Nicholas in Glory