Zagreus is the subject of the big New Year Dionysus' games in March, which – after the Christianization of the population and the adoption of the Orthodox calendar – are connected with Ash Wednesday and further with Easter. The rite symbolizes the coming of the New Year, which replaces the old one and the dance is the symbol of the Thracian Orphic reorganization of the world.

When the new year replaces the old one, the main rite is performed by a mime like a mummer. He knows neither the name of Zagreus, nor the fact that he has the difficult doctrinal task to be the bearer of these binary oppositions of cosmologic, mythological and religious and social nature. The actor plays together with his troop so that the new year be good. The most archaic rite in the Strandzha Mountain is the so-called “Nestinari” or brazier dancing. The designation of these dancers contains the Thracian toponym “asta” or “ asti ” or “esti-nari”, which means dancing in the fire. The religious rite is performed by a virgin priestess. The ominous orgiastic aspect that the priestess gives to all participants is not part of the doctrine but the mystery is beyond any doubt. It supports the faith that the cosmic body of the god will instill in every participant who has been initiated, i.e. Zagreus falls apart before he becomes one again.

In the Thracian Orphic doctrine, the sawing of the White Mummer (not wearing a mask) symbolizes the insemination of the Mother Goddess by her son. Those who are not initiated can not understand this symbol because they perceive the sawing as a sign of beginning of a new cycle in nature. This means that every monument and every rite have dual languages that can share mythologems and sign but only as a form.

The White Mummer is Dionysus. He is the subject of the celebration. The rite symbolizes the transition from the old to the new year but in fact it is a representation of the Thracian Orphic concept about the reorganization of the world through new relations between the primary cosmogonic principles (sky – earth, fire – water). Being the subject of the rite, the White Mummer bears the dramatic relations between these opposition couples.