Bulgarian Guild Organizations in the Revival Period: Patron Saint and Guild Festival

The Bulgarian guild organizations during the Renaissance were the most comprehensive economic and social organization, professional and social support of the population. The guilds represented self-governing craft and trade associations of a closed nature, uniting people with the same livelihood, with a common leader, obeying common rules, the guild statute and a specific structure. The members of the guild organization, as residents of a given settlement, complied with local traditions, honored and celebrated holidays (Easter, Christmas, etc.), and also celebrated the holiday of their guild and the patron saint of the craft. The guild holiday belongs to the so-called "heavy" holidays, i.e. holidays celebrated with particular solemnity by the members of the community. During the guild festival, which often lasted several days, there were church services for the living and deceased members of the guild, a general meeting of the guild was held, at which the report of the governing bodies was accepted and those who would rule in the future were elected. There was also a real celebration with a common meal and merriment.