Folk signs for October 14: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, omens have been given special importance since ancient times. They were used to judge the weather, when to sow and harvest, and what to expect in the future. Therefore, every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the signs of October 14 and the church holidays that are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for October 14th
In Russia, on October 14, the Intercession of the Virgin was celebrated, which was also popularly called Zazimnik and Wedding Day. This day was considered an important boundary between autumn and winter. By this time, the peasants were completing field work, as well as preparing huts and stables for the cold. After that, the wedding season opened in the villages, which, according to tradition, lasted until St. Philip's Day — November 27.
In the old days, the saying was associated with the Veil: "The Veil will come, the girl will cover her head." The families who had already arranged the wedding began to make preparations, and the unmarried girls put on their best clothes, went to church and placed candles in front of the icon of the Virgin, asking for a good groom. According to legend, the one who puts the candle first will get married before the others.
Special attention was paid to the weather and natural phenomena in Pokrov. They were considered the surest pointers for the coming winter. People used to say, "As the Cover is, so is the winter." So, the snow that fell on October 14 foreshadowed an early and snowy winter, and the dry weather promised a prolonged autumn and a late onset of frost.
Other signs of the day:
- A clear and warm day leads to a long, snowless autumn.;
- rain is a harbinger of a rainy season;
- If there is no snow, winter will come too late.;
- the cranes flew away before the Cover — the winter will be fierce, and if after that — mild.
What not to do on October 14th
Our ancestors believed that the day of Intercession has a special power, and everything said or done will be "fixed" for many months. They were especially afraid of quarrels and backbiting. It was believed that bad words uttered on a holiday attracted discord in the family and deprived the protection of the Virgin. Girls were strictly forbidden to stay at home alone, otherwise they risked remaining a girl for another year.
What else can't be done on October 14th:
- to envy someone else's happiness and well—being - luck will turn away for a long time.;
- leaving the house in disarray leads to family quarrels and troubles;
- to lend money or borrow money — the whole year will be spent in need;
- Denying guests food was considered a great sin to be stingy in disguise.
What is the church holiday on October 14th?
On October 14, the Orthodox Church commemorates the appearance of the Mother of God in the Blachernae Church. According to legend, in the tenth century, during the siege of Constantinople, the inhabitants gathered in the temple for prayer. At that time, the Virgin appeared to them, surrounded by angels and saints. Kneeling, She prayed with everyone, and then took off the omophorion from her head and spread it over the crowd.
Soon a storm arose in the sea and scattered the ships of the enemies, the city was saved. This event became the basis for the establishment of the holiday. It gained a foothold in Russia in the 12th century. Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky played a special role in his approval. Under his rule, the veneration of the Intercession became an important part of the Russian church tradition and a symbol of the special patronage of the Mother of God.
Famous temples were erected in honor of the Intercession — the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl in the Vladimir region and the Pokrovsky Cathedral on Red Square in Moscow, known as St. Basil's Cathedral.
Prayers on October 14th
In the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Mother of God is addressed with requests for protection, intercession and help. They pray to her for the health of loved ones, family peace, support in difficult circumstances and strengthening faith. Many also pray for the well-being of children, mutual understanding between spouses and the creation of a family.
Prayer to the Mother of God for protection
"To my Most gracious Queen, my Most Holy Hope, my friend and strange Intercessor, help the needy and protect the embittered, see my affliction, see my sorrow: I am tempted everywhere, but there is no intercessor. For you yourself help me because I am weak, feed me because I am strange, guide me because I am mistaken, heal me and save me because I am hopeless. The Imam has no other help, no other intercession, no consolation, for You, O Mother of all the sorrowful and burdened! Look down upon me, a sinner and in my bitterness, and cover me with Your most holy omophorion, so that I may be delivered from the evils that have afflicted me, and I will praise Your sung name. Amen to that."
Prayer to the Mother of God for health
"O Most Holy Lady, my Lady Theotokos, thou hast sent forth all angels and Archangels, and most honorable of all creatures, thou art the helper of the offended, the hope of the unrepentant, the intercessor of the poor, the consolation of the sorrowful, the healing of the sick, and the salvation of sinners. O All-merciful Lady, O Virgin Mother of God, by Thy mercy save and have mercy on Thy servant (name), deliver him from every disease and infirmity, and grant him health and salvation. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the customs and prohibitions of the Mikhail Solomenny national holiday.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
