Budnik (Bulgarian)

Budnik (Bulgarian: Бъдник), refers to a log brought into the house and placed on the fire on the evening of Christmas Eve, a central tradition in Christmas celebrations in Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro, much like a yule log in other European traditions. In the Bulgarian, Croatian, and Serbian languages, the name for Christmas Eve is derived from the term badnjak or budnik as well as the Bulgarian name for Christmas Eve (bg:Бъдни вечер). The tree from which the log is cut, preferably a young and straight oak, is ceremonially felled early on the morning of Christmas Eve. The felling, preparation, bringing in, and laying on the fire, are surrounded by elaborate rituals, with many regional variations.

Bulgaria's Orthodox Church turned to the Revised Julian calendar in 1968. Since then, Bulgaria has celebrated Christmas on December 25, therefore, most celebrate Christmas Eve (Budni Vecher) on December 24.