The beginning of winter is marked by a whole series of Orthodox holidays. But one of the most revered is the day of commemoration of the Great Martyr Varvara, which is celebrated on December 17. Signs associated with the day of St. Barbara, you can guess what weather to wait in the coming months. And at this time you could guess to find out your destiny.
December 17 - the day of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara: the history of the holiday
St. Barbara's memory day is celebrated not only by Orthodox Christians, but also Catholics. However, in that, and in another case, a real historical figure appears - Varvara Iliopolskaya. Her family, who settled in Phenicia, professed paganism. Her father Dioskur was prosperous and noble, and Varvara was his only daughter, whom he valued very highly. So he hid the girl in the tower. But when she entered the age of marriage, I had to cancel the imprisonment so that the girl could choose her fiancé. And at that time she met Christians, imbued with their teaching and accepted their faith. The father's anger was terrible: he ordered a rebellious daughter to be carved, and then the Emperor Martian himself interfered, who liked the beautiful and proud girl. But she rejected his protection and preferred to be imprisoned. She was tortured for a long time and finally, she was executed - his father cut off his head with his own hand. And on the same day, both he and the emperor were burnt by lightning - so the wrath of God struck them.
December 17 - the day of the memory of the Holy Great Martyr Varvara is considered a "woman's holiday", because first of all it favors pregnant women, women in childbirth and women of childbearing age. She is also prayed for the protection of children from sudden death and disease. It was this saint who was called, when in the Middle Ages Europe was plagued by epidemics of plague and smallpox. It is customary to address it in the most difficult cases, and then it will necessarily reveal a miracle.
In Russia it is always celebrated on December 17 - the day of Saint Barbara - the patroness of fertility. According to legend, when she walked along the ground, wheat immediately grew in her tracks. Therefore, they prayed to her for sending the harvest. And this day was officially considered the end of all agricultural work in the outgoing year.
Signs on December 17 - St. Barbara's Day
Most will take on December 17 - the day of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara, associated with weather conditions. It was believed that it was at this time that real winter frosts are set. It was said that "winter begins to build bridges."
In the morning, the whole family went to church, prayed that everyone was healthy in the family. Bad omen, if the temple was not able to visit - then next year an accident could happen to someone close to them.
Believed that on Varvara day added. Although it actually shone with the snow that had poured out by then.
Also people said that on Varvarin the day Moroz left the forest. Then he draws patterns on the windows, pours snow, makes trees crackle. So we tried not to go to the forest that day, we could easily get lost and freeze. But if the frost on December 17 will not be
If Varvara cold, then the New Year, and Christmas will also be frosty.
How can you guess on December 17 on the day of St. Barbara?
They wondered at Varvarin a day differently. One of the most common and simple was the divination of cereals. It was necessary to make a wish, take a sheet of paper (or a light birch bark), fold it in half, take a handful of cereals and quickly fall on the fold - into the strip. If most of the grains turned out to be on the right - the desire will come true, if on the left - no.