Xanthica

The ancient holiday of Xanthica is barely known nowadays. The Macedonians accepted the name of Xanthica as an eponym of the name of the goddess of flowers, love and beauty Xanthia, which according to mythology data existed in the land of the god Macedon. Many worshiped the goddess Xanthia and in her honor, they called this spring holiday Xanthia and first month Xanthicus, which is mentioned in the Bible on various occasions.

It had been spontaneously celebrated through the whole month. It remained preserved even till present, because it has been deeply rooted in Macedonian culture and traditions. It appears every spring right in front of us. We see in the celebration of many holidays, forgiveness, Palm Sunday, the feast of St. Lazarus, Theodor’s Saturday and Annunciation. We recognize it at the folk’s handicrafts, in the authenticity of the Macedonian embroidery, in the monumentality of the Macedonian songs and dances, in the sounds of the folk instruments. We find in the glow of the spring flowers.

According to old traditions, the god Macedon who was the son of the almighty god of the Pantheon, Zeus, fell in love with her until his last breath. Suddenly the evil forces of some of the gods of the Pantheon transformed Xanthia into a flower. The poor god Macedon, every spring, sought his first and unforgettable love through meadows and fields, in all the clear streams and rivers, in all the blossom gardens.

Read this legend about Xanthia in Macedonian.