St. Michael's Day: what you can not do today, ominous omens
Today, November 21, Orthodox believers celebrate the Cathedral of Archangel Michael. The church holiday is dedicated to the exploits of Archangel Michael, who is honored as the patron of soldiers and human souls at the Last Judgment. In the people the celebration was called Michael's Day. On this day, peasants set a rich festive table, went to visit and congratulated all the Michael's on their names. The weather and natural omens were of special importance on theday of celebration - they were used to make a forecast for the coming winter. In addition, ancestors believed that on St. Michael's Day evil spirits provoke a person to conflicts and can greatly spoil life if you violate existing prohibitions. When Michaelmas Day appeared and how the holiday was celebrated in Russia - in the material "Izvestia".
Michael's Day: what is the holiday on November 21
Folk holiday Michael's Day is celebrated annually on November 21 in honor of the Archangel Michael, who is considered the main protector and patron saint of warriors. Initially, the celebration was exclusively ecclesiastical: on this date, the Orthodox celebrate the Sobor of the Archangel (commander) Michael and other heavenly forces incorporeal. Catholics also celebrate this feast, but earlier - on September 29.
In Russia, the name of the church holiday was simplified, so in the folk calendar November 21 became Michael's Day. The date is constant and does not depend on transient holidays.
The history of the appearance of the holiday goes back to ancient times. According to legend, the celebration was established by the Council of Laodicea in the IV century in honor of the deeds of Archangel Michael.
He has the highest angelic rank, in addition to which there are still seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, powers, authorities, beginnings and angels.
The word "angel" is translated from Greek as "messenger, messenger" and the prefix "arch" means "chief, elder". Archangels are angels whom the Lord called to a special service. And help the holy spirits and people: they report on great events and open the pure hearts of the mysteries of the universe.
In addition to the rank of Archangel Michael was also awarded the honorary title of Archistratigus - the leader of the angelic host. These titles Michael received for his numerous virtues. His name is repeatedly mentioned in the Holy Scriptures, honored by the faithful.
Religious texts say that God created four heavenly helpers - Michael, Lucifer, Raphael and Gabriel. God then created humans and ordered the angels to bow down before them, protecting them from the forces of darkness. The three angels obediently submitted to God's will, and only the proud Lucifer became indignant and refused to serve less powerful beings. He turned for support to his elder brother Michael, but the wise angel only condemned his sinful thoughts. Between them there was a fierce battle, in which Michael, together with the heavenly host, was able to defeat and overthrow Lucifer in the kingdom of darkness.
Archangel Michael also helped people. One of his favors was called the miracle in Khoneh. According to legend, in the Phrygian city of Colossae stood the Christian temple of Archangel Michael. Near the shrine there was a healing spring, which miraculously helped the believers to be cured of serious illnesses. Pagans got to know about it and decided to destroy the temple, the holy spirit of which endowed the water with magical properties. To do this, they joined two mountain rivers into one channel and directed their powerful flow towards the temple.
Archippus of Kherotop served as an acolyte in the temple. Having learned about the impending disaster, he began to pray diligently to his patron Archangel Michael. The Archangel heard his prayers, appeared on Earth and with one stroke of his staff opened a wide cleft in the mountain, where the waters of the raging stream rushed out. Since then, the town where this event took place has been called Khony, which means "hole".
The Russian people also once witnessed the miraculous help of Archangel Michael. In 1239, the troops of Batu Khan, who were marching to Novgorod, suddenly changed their direction to the opposite one. Historians believe that the reason for this was the spring thaw, which made the campaign very difficult. However, the sacred texts contain information that the archangel Michael appeared to protect Novgorod and forbade Batyi to go to this city, thus protecting the Novgorodians.
Archistratigus Michael was especially honored in Russia. Temples and aisles dedicated to the archangel stood in almost every city. The most famous of them is the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel in the Moscow Kremlin (Archangel Cathedral), built in the early 16th century.
On icons, Michael is often depicted with a sword - an instrument of defense against evil forces. It is believed that one should pray to Archangel Michael in a difficult situation. People often turn to the saint with prayers for healing, for the well-being of the family when entering a new home, for protection during a long journey or when taking exams. The Archistratigus as the intercessor of all those in need will help to find the right solution and protect from impure thoughts.
In Russia, St. Michael's Day coincided with the end of the harvest, so on this day it was customary to set a rich festive table and treat the neighbors. For peasants, this celebration was also the last opportunity to eat meat dishes, because a week later began a strict Christmas (Philip's) fast, in which more than a month was not allowed to consume food of animal origin.
What you can and should do on the holiday Michaelmas Day
Our ancestors traditionally began Michaelmas Day with gratitude to the great archangel. Believers attended the service in the temple, read prayers and put candles for the health of relatives and friends. In their prayers Christians asked Michael to protect them from enemies, keep them from sins and guide them to the path of truth. It was believed that it was on St. Michael's Day that prayers had a special power, similar to the archistratigus himself.
In Russia, this holiday was necessarily spent in a family circle. On St. Michael's Day, housewives prepared baked goods, cooked cold meat and fried pork. Sometimes with pies held a "happy" ritual, putting a coin inside one of them. It was believed that the one who would get a piece with a coin would have good luck in the coming year. Friends and neighbors were invited to the festive meal, and it was customary to placate them with a mug of a hoppy drink - beer or kvass. Ancestors believed: the richer the feast, the more generous and benevolent Michael would be to them.
According to folk custom, on Michaelmas Day, the yardman - the younger brother of the house-brother, who lives in the stable - was pleased. To do this, housewives recited a special incantation praising the spirit, and then left him in the yard a hearty dinner. After the ritual it was undesirable to go outdoors, otherwise you could scare away the house spirit and bring misfortune to all members of the family. Housewives bribed the spirit to guard the house from ill-wishers and protect the cattle from diseases.
The feast was considered a great day for new beginnings and the end of all conflicts. It was believed that on this holiday you should solve your family problems and turmoil, do not judge anyone and do not quarrel with anyone. It was customary to ask forgiveness from loved ones and forgive them in return.
What you can not do on St. Michael's Day on November 21
Like many other folk holidays, Michaelmas Day has over time grown with various superstitions and prohibitions, in which our ancestors believed. It was believed that on St. Michael's Day one should not work from selfish motives, as any dubious part-time work, implying getting quick money, is sinful. Such an attitude to labor could anger the archangel Michael, and a person, according to the belief, for this could be left penniless.
It was also believed in Russia that on this day one should not sew, chop or use sharp objects, as these actions could defile the holy sword of Michael. Therefore, on St. Michael's Day it was forbidden to do needlework, darn torn things and chop wood, even if it was needed for heating the bath. In addition, people believed that on St. Michael's Day one should not wash one's head, otherwise one could "wash one's whole mind".
It was undesirable to tell someone about a good dream, especially if it was dreamed on the eve of the holiday. Ancestors believed that if you tell about it, then a good dream will never come true in real life. But if the secret was kept, then you could safely wait for the fulfillment of the cherished event. Most of all believed that in the near future it would be possible to meet the dreamed groom, bride or get pregnant after seeing a child in a dream.
It was important to pay special attention on the festive day to the attitude with others. It was forbidden to swear, argue and raise your voice. It was undesirable to gossip, idle talk and think about someone in a negative way. St. Michael's Day tried to spend peacefully, showing only kindness and understanding to each person.
There were ominous omens on St. Michael's Day, which were especially feared in Russia. One of them said: if on the day of the holiday someone dies, then for the environment of the deceased may come bad times, accompanied by disease, crop failure, pestilence of livestock or frequent quarrels in the family. There was also a belief that the howling of the wind on this day heralded the coming misfortune. Therefore, peasants tightly sealed the joints of windows with insulation and tried to go to bed early, so as not to accidentally hear the wind howling at night.
Folk omens on St. Michael's Day on November 21
On the day of the holiday, falling at the end of fall, in Russia traditionally made a weather forecast for the coming winter. And helped the peasants in this folk omens associated with natural phenomena. According to the weather on Michaelmas Day, they judged what kind of winter it would be, when to expect heavy frosts, and also tried to predict the weather for the spring season.
Peasants believed: if the day was clear on Michaelmas Day, expect crackling frosts in winter, and morning fog, on the contrary, heralded warming in the coming days. Wet snow on the day of the holiday promised a rainy spring, and snowfall and cold weather predicted a warm Easter. If it rained, the cloudy warm weather would last until Nikola in winter - the day of the memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which is celebrated on December 19.
On the trees on this day it was also possible to predict what the weather would be like in the coming winter. Thus, if there were few cones on Christmas trees and many acorns on oaks, ancestors believed that winter would be warm and snowy.
It is important to remember that folk customs and omens have a rather symbolic meaning, so do not take them literally and use them instead of the forecast of qualified forecasters.
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