The Goreshtniks (also known as Goreshlyatsi, Churetsi, Blastsi, Germanovtsi) — a period of three days in the month of July (July 15, 16 and 17) in the Bulgarian national calendar, celebrated in honor of fire and mainly to protect against fire. The Eastern Orthodox Church honored during these days the memory of the martyrs Kirik and Julita (July 15); Antinogenes, Julia the Virgin (July 16) and St. Marina (July 17).
The custom is widespread mainly in Northern and Western Bulgaria, as well as in the southwestern Bulgarian ethnic territories.
According to popular belief, Hot Days are the hottest days of the year. These three days have their own names. In Northern Bulgaria they are: Churliga, Pearliga and Marina Ognena, and in the South — Luta, Churuta (Churuka) and Opalena Maria.
During this period, all field and domestic work is prohibited, as it is believed that otherwise a fire will burn the house or property (goods).
It is believed that the fields (and especially the reaped sheaves) caught fire by themselves as fire descended from heaven. It is forbidden to take fire outside the house.
The first and last burners are most strictly guarded. The belief that fire descends from the sky by itself (usually in the form of lightning) also gives rise to the local names Blastsi and Germanovtsi (since it is believed that St. Germanus is one of the lords of thunder).
In Sofia (Zhelyava village, etc.) on these three days it is guessed what the weather will be like in the months of January, February and March, the first, second and third heather correspond to the months of January, February and March respectively. If the heater is warm, then the weather in the corresponding month will be mild, if it is cool — portends cold and blizzards. In Veleshko, artisans whose professions are connected with fire celebrate on this day. During these days, people bathe in healing springs, because it is believed that then their power is especially great.
In older times, on the first day in the evening, the fire was extinguished in all hearths in the settlement, on the second day no fire was lit, and on the third (St. Marina) a new fire was lit in the middle of the village (living fire, God's fire), from which they take all the hosts and renew the fire in their hearths. This is related to the belief that on this day fire falls from the sky by itself and that Saint Marina is the mistress of fire.