November 19 - Pavel Ledostav: history, traditions, folk omens

Every year on November 19, Orthodox believers honor the memory of St. Paul the Confessor, Bishop of Constantinople, who lived in the fourth century. In the folk calendar, this day was called Paul the Icebreaker. The date marked the beginning of the winter fishing season in Russia. In 2024, it falls on Tuesday. About the history of the holiday, its traditions and omens read in the material "Izvestia".

Pavel Ledostav - the history of the holiday, celebrated on November 19

The date of November 19 received its name in honor of St. Paul the Confessor, who lived in the IV century and held the post of archbishop in Constantinople.

It was during that period that the iconoclasts, opponents of Christianity in Asia Minor, became active. St. Paul and his associate Theophylact were persecuted and persecuted, but, despite this, continued to profess the Christian faith.

In Russia, St. Paul the Confessor is considered the heavenly patron saint of the Naval Corps. It was founded in 1755 by Empress Elizabeth Petrovna on the day of the Saint's memory.

In the folk calendar, the day of the saint's memory is associated with natural phenomena - the establishment of the ice frame on the rivers and lakes of Russia, as evidenced by the very name - Pavel Ledostav. The holiday symbolized the official beginning of winter.

Traditions and customs of the holiday Pavel Ledostav

In Russia, this day was an important milestone in the natural cycle. The establishment of ice meant the completion of fall work, the beginning of winter recreation, the possibility of moving on frozen reservoirs and, as a consequence, the opening of new routes for hunting and trade.

On Pavel Ledostav inhabitants of the countryside finished insulating houses, preparing firewood and other things that required dry weather.

On this holiday, peasants began to prepare for the winter fishing season, pulling out and checking tackle, fixing it if necessary.

It was also customary to check the strength of the first ice. However, according to tradition, it was considered bad luck to go out on the ice alone. If during such a check the ice bed cracked, it portended a difficult winter.

Folk omens for November 19

On this day it was customary to pay attention to the quality of ice. It was believed that if on Pavel Ledostav he has already strengthened, then the winter will be long, but without severe frosts.

If the ice surface was frozen with hillocks, it was believed to herald a good harvest year. "If the ice is piles - then there will be piles of bread. If smooth - then the bread will be smooth," - said in Russia.

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