On May 1, everyone who bears the name Ermenko, Ermelina, Maya, Maya, Tamara celebrates their name day.
On this day, the Christian church celebrates the Jewish prophet St. Jeremiah, a passionate denouncer of the vices of his compatriots and a soothsayer. He predicts that Jerusalem will be conquered by Nebuchadnezzar, and his people will be scattered around the world to suffer in slavery for their sins. His is also the prediction that God will send his son and heir to Earth.
The Bulgarian people call this holiday Ermia, Irmiya, Irminden, Irima, Zamski den.
The rites are mainly aimed at protecting against snakes. In folk beliefs, snakes come out of their lairs on the Forty Holy Martyrs or on the Annunciation, and on Jeremiah their king comes out.
In Western Bulgaria, on the eve of the holiday, bonfires are lit, people jump over them, make noise and recite numerous spells, with which they drive away the snakes.
In places in Southern Bulgaria, Jeremiah is revered for protection from thunder and hail.
Source: imen-den.net