St Andrew's Day in Romania

The Feast of St Andrew, also called St Andrew’s Day (Ziua Sfântului Andrei) is an annual public holiday in Romania on November 30 to honor the country’s patron saint.

Many Romanian churches celebrate the feast of St Andrew, pictured with his brother Simon (Peter) and Jesus.

©iStockphoto.com/ZU_09

What do people do?

Many people in Romania have the day off work and school on St Andrew’s Day. There are various activities that some people engage in as a way of having some fun with old Romanian superstition associated with the feast of Saint Andrew. For example, some Romanians bringing out garlic to ward off ghosts, while others eat a special type of salty bread in hope of dreaming of the person they will marry.

Public life

Saint Andrew’s Day is a national public holiday in Romania so banks, public offices, and many private businesses are closed. People intending to travel via public transport during public holidays must check with the public transit authorities on any changes to time schedules.

Background

St Andrew, the brother of St Peter, was the first apostle called by Jesus but he is known today as the patron saint of countries such as Romania, Russia, and Scotland. He went to Greece and after converting the proconsul’s wife to Christianity, he was crucified by being fastened to an X-shaped cross by cords, where he died of thirst and starvation.

Symbols

Statues, paintings, and other artwork representing the likeness of St Andrew are seen in many churches in Romania. Garlic is used as a form of protection on St Andrew’s Day as it is believed that souls of the dead come back in the evening of November 30.

St Andrew's Day Observances

Related holiday

• Halloween ―Thursday, October 31, 2013

Other holidays in November 2013 in Romania