Saint Barbara's Day

December 17, Tuesday

Eid il-Burbara or Saint Barbara's Day and also called the Feast of Saint Barbara, is a holiday annually celebrated on 17 December (Gregorian calendar) or 4 December (Julian calendar) amongst Middle Eastern Christians in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and Turkey (Hatay Province). It is also celebrated as Barbaroba amongst Christians in Georgia. Its celebration shares many elements with Hallowe'en, though coming from a much earlier tradition, and unrelated to the feast of the dead. Traditionally, adults and children wearing disguise go around houses in the villages dancing and singing the story of Saint Barbara; and in each house, they are offered food (and sometimes money) specially prepared for that feast. It is celebrated in honour of the Christian Saint and Martyr Saint Barbara. The general belief amongst Lebanese Christians is that Saint Barbara disguised herself as many different characters to elude the Romans who were persecuting her.

Saint Barbara's Day

Saint Barbara's Day in other countries