On 1 January the Bulgarian Orthodox church marks the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ and St. Basil’s Day. January 1 is the day when the memory is honoured of influential theologian St. Basil the Great, who dedicated himself to pious and charitable work. 

Almost 127,000 Bulgarians named Vassil, Vassilia, Vassilena, Vesselin, Vessela etc., celebrate their name-day today. In Bulgarian folklore tradition, the day is called Vassilitsa and Survaki. The ritual of survakane is performed early in the morning as young boys make the rounds of the homes in the town or village, and tap the backs of family and friends with a decorated cornel twig (survachka) with wishes for health and prosperity.