St. Athanasius the Great (St. Athanasius Day - Atanasovden)

St. Athanasius the Great is one of the greatest teachers of the church and participant in the Council of Ephesus, which was held in 431 in the city of Ephesus. Legend has it that Anthony and Athanasius were twin brothers - Andon and Atanas. They were blacksmiths and the first to invent the blacksmith’s tongs. Because of this, Antonovden and Atanasovden are celebrated as holidays of the blacksmiths, ironmongers, cutters and farriers. On January 18 Atanas, Atanaska, Naska, Nasko and others celebrate their name day.