When are the Horeshnitsi: Julian vs. Gregorian calendar

The traditional Horeshnitsi (July 15, 16, and 17, Old Style) now correspond to July 28, 29, and 30 in the modern Gregorian calendar. According to experts from the NIMH, this change is due to the calendar reform in Bulgaria in 1916.

"The 'true Horeshnitsi' at the end of July coincide much more accurately with the meteorological peak of the summer heat in our country than the middle of the month."

Ancient origin or church tradition?

  • Climatic logic: Ethnologists believe that the holiday was originally linked to natural phenomena rather than a fixed date.
  • Middle Ages: During the 9th-14th centuries, the Horeshnitsi fell between July 21 and 24, which is a period of sustained summer temperatures.
  • Pre-Christian roots: The holiday was likely pagan, subsequently "attached" to the church calendar.

Calendar reforms and equinoxes

An interesting fact is that before 1582, the dates of the equinoxes shifted due to the inaccuracy of the Julian calendar. With the introduction of the Gregorian calendar, the world "skipped" 10 days to return the equinox to March 21.

In Bulgaria, until 1916, the 13-day difference caused people to mark the spring equinox on March 8 (Old Style), which astronomically coincided with March 21 New Style.