Today, December 5, the Bulgarian Christian Orthodox reveres St. Sava or Sabbas. St. Sava, born in Cappadocia in 439, was a priest and saint who lived mainly in Palestine. He founded several monasteries, most notably the monastery known as Mar Saba.

 

In Bulgarian folklore Sava is often depicted as a female saint, sister to Saint Varvara (Barbara), whose day falls on the previous day, December 4 and of Saint Nikola (Nicholas), honored on December 6, a very popular feast day in Bulgaria, known as Nikulden. St. Sava is said to be master of the plague and smallpox; Sava may also be a man, patron saint of wolves.