Mitrofanov Day: what you can not do today, spooky omens
Today, December 6, believers commemorate St. Mitrophan of Voronezh. The bishop became known for his righteous life of humble service to the church, preaching Christianity and strengthening the Orthodox faith in the Russian state. St. Mitrophan fought against Old Believers and was a faithful adviser to Peter the Great. The people called the celebration in his honor Mitrofan's Day. At this time they organized folk festivals and held special rituals aimed at protecting from evil spirits and attracting prosperity. There were also strict prohibitions, the violation of which promised great misfortune. Read more about what Christian feats glorified St. Mitrophan, and the traditions of our ancestors who honored him - in the material "Izvestia".
Mitrophan's Day: what is the Church holiday on December 6
Every year on December 6, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of Mitrophan of Voronezh - the first bishop of the Voronezh diocese, ranked among the saints for numerous feats of faith and miraculous healings of Christians, which began to occur after his death. The life of Mitrophan covers the period of major reforms in the Russian Orthodox Church and the formation of the Petrine era. Also on December 6, the defender of the Orthodox faith, St. Prince Alexander Nevsky, is remembered.
Icon depicting St. Mitrophan of Voronezh
Saint Mitrophan, who was named Michael at birth, was born on November 6, 1623 in a family of pious peasants. According to one version, his parents were from Vladimir province. Half of his life the saint existed in the world, married and had children, was considered a caring father and loving husband. The family idyll was broken by the death of his wife, after which Michael decided to devote himself to God. In the 40th year of his life he moved to the Zolotnikovsky Dormition Monastery, located near Suzdal. There he took monastic tonsure with the name Mitrophan, having vowed to remain in the monastery until the end of his life.
From that moment Mitrofan began to lead a humble monastic life, depriving himself of all the usual worldly pleasures in order to find spiritual union with the Lord. The word about him spread far beyond the temple. Three years later, the monks of the neighboring Yakhromsky monastery, which had no abbot at that time, asked the local clergy to appoint St. Mitrophan hegumen. Their request was granted, and he received the high spiritual rank of head of the monastery. Under his administration the monastery flourished, a new Spassky church was built.
A few years later Patriarch Joachim of Moscow and All Russia learned about the humble service of the ascetic Mitrophan. In 1675 he elevated the hegumen to the rank of archimandrite, the highest rank of monastic priests, entrusting him with the leadership of the larger Makaryovo-Unzhensky monastery. The event is notable for the fact that this place was patronized by the reigning House of Romanoff. Mitrophan even there tried in every possible way to beautify the territory of the monastery, including contributing to the construction of a church in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
St. Mitrophan was often talked to by Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich, who personally came to the abbot for advice. Later it was he who suggested that the clergyman be appointed bishop of one of the largest dioceses - Voronezh.
In the second half of the XVII century in the state came the Old Believer schism. Part of the believers wished to separate from the Russian Orthodox Church after the reforms of Patriarch Nikon were approved. He sought to unify the Russian Church with the Greek, transforming all ritual features. For example, earth bows were replaced by lumbar bows, baptism was to be performed with three fingers instead of two, and some rules of divine service were also changed.
For the enlightenment of the people, the Russian Orthodox Church commissioned the creation of new dioceses, including Voronezh. It was then that Archimandrite Mitrofan was elevated to the honorable rank of Bishop of Voronezh. Having accepted the title, he began to tirelessly fight against popular superstition, immorality, and the influence of the Old Believers. St. Mitrophan continued to build temples and remained a spiritual guide for all believers. His labors strengthened the authority of the church and helped prevent the consequences of the church schism. Since then, the saint has been considered the patron saint of the Voronezh region, and city streets and temples have been named after him.
In addition, Mitrofan played an important role in the life of the young sovereign Peter the Great, supporting the monarch's enlightenment reforms in every possible way and explaining their importance for the country to his flock. At the same time, without fear of reprisal from the temperamental Tsar, he openly expressed his disapproval when Peter adopted the customs of foreigners. The saint even refused to visit the Voronezh palace because of the pagan statues there. After this the sovereign threatened Mitrofan with execution, but he did not give up his faith. Then the clergy shamed the irascible sovereign for his act, and the tsar agreed to remove the idols. After that, relations between Peter I and the bishop were restored.
Mitrophan blessed the head of state to build a fleet in Voronezh and supported this endeavor financially. In turn, Peter did not forget his spiritual mentor. When in 1696 the sovereign took Azov, he sent a messenger to Mitrophan to inform him that the saint had henceforth become Bishop of Voronezh and Azov.
Annunciation Cathedral in Voronezh
In the Voronezh cathedra the saint remained 20 years - until his death. In the summer of 1703 he fell seriously ill. On November 23 (Old Style) Mitrophan completed his earthly life, having taken the schema before his death with the name Makarii. The saint was buried in the Annunciation Cathedral of Voronezh. The funeral ceremony was attended by Peter I, who personally carried the coffin with his body as a sign of respect for the elder.
There is evidence that even after his death the bishop helped the faithful. To this day, the relics of the saint attract thousands of pilgrims, and at his tomb there were numerous miraculous healings: those in need could cure their ailments and find peace of mind.
In 1832 Mitrofan was officially canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church. In churches on December 6 they sing a troparion in his honor and read a solemn kondak, remembering the Christian exploits of the saint.
Traditions of celebrating Mitrofanov Day on December 6, 2024
In the people, the day of the memory of St. Mitrophan of Voronezh was called Mitrophan's Day. In the morning they necessarily went to church, prayed to the saint, asking him for health, help in household affairs and family prosperity. Especially often those who were engaged in hard labor - construction or agriculture - called on the saint for help.
St. Mitrophan was believed to help protect the house from evil and misfortune. Therefore, on December 6 it was customary to consecrate dwellings and outbuildings. It was not forbidden to work on this day, but the evening should be spent with the family.
On Mitrofanov's day, noisy festivities were organized. Hostesses set a lavish table and invited guests. Usually cooked porridge, pies and lean dishes. For the holiday, men brewed aromatic beer, which was also customary to treat everyone who entered the house.
On December 6, unmarried girls wished for their future destiny. On the night before the celebration they put a comb under the pillow, saying a special incantation: "Suzheny-ryazheny, come and comb my hair." It was believed that after that one could see the image of the soulmate in a dream. It was also often fortune-telling. To do this, one took a handful of grains, asked a question and threw the seeds on a flat surface. If the number of grains was even, they believed that the wish would come true.
On December 6, folk craftsmen were weaving laptops. The craft was practiced exclusively by experienced men, who learned it from an early age. Particularly agile craftsmen managed to make up to five pairs of shoes in a day. Lapti in folk culture symbolized the road to renewal. Weaving them on Mitrofan's Day was associated with preparation for a new stage of life - a long winter season. St. Mitrofan of Voronezh was known for his concern for the common people, so activities related to manual labor were perceived as respect for his memory.
Traditionally, Lenten buns were baked on this day, one of which contained a cross. The baked goods were spread all over the hut - on the threshold, at the icons, on the benches. Folk belief says that this ritual helped to protect the house from evil spirits and diseases.
What you can not do today, on Mitrofanov's day
In Mitrofanov day there were certain prohibitions and omens. It was believed that their observance would protect themselves and their loved ones from misfortune, as well as attract good luck. On the holiday it was forbidden to swear and swear, because ancestors believed that negative words and emotions would bring bad luck to the house.
The celebration falls on the Christmas fast, so meat and dairy products are forbidden. Young girls did not cook on Mitrofanov's day and did not eat at home. They dined as guests, believing that a meal at someone else's table would make the next year successful.
December 6, it is better not to wear new and uncomfortable shoes. According to the belief, the first could attract empty troubles in life, and the second - become the cause of quarrels and scandals with loved ones. Also on Mitrofanov's day it is not allowed to walk without combing your hair, otherwise your fate will become as tangled as your hair.
On the holiday it was impossible to leave open doors or windows, so that evil forces did not penetrate into the dwelling. Mitrofan's day was considered to be a cold day, so people tried not to go outside too much to avoid losing the warmth of the house or encountering trouble on the road.
People planning any money matters tried not to wash their faces with plain water during this period. In it they necessarily added cabbage decoction for good luck. Mitrofanov Day was considered the time of summarizing the results of the passing year and preparation for the winter holidays. The celebration for several centuries harmoniously combined spiritual traditions and domestic concerns.
Mitrofanov Day: folk omens of December 6
According to the weather on December 6, people judged what the upcoming cold season would be like. Our ancestors believed that Mitrofan would indicate winter, so they sensitively tracked any changes in the climate. A frosty clear day promised a snowy season, and a snowfall foreshadowed a prolonged winter and late spring.
The wind was also used to determine the coming period. It was believed that a strong north wind meant cold weather, a west wind meant heavy snowfalls, and an east wind meant a long winter without heavy snowstorms. If on Mitrofanov's day the branches were covered with frost, then in the near future a sharp cold snap was expected. A bright sun, on the contrary, heralded a thaw and a rainy December.
Even by the natural phenomena occurring on Mitrofanov's day, they predicted what June of the next year would be like. If it snowed wet on December 6, then expect rains in early summer. If it is sunny and warm, June will be hot and dry.
With the help of folk omens, our ancestors planned things for all seasons. This simplified housekeeping and made it possible to prepare for the possible onset of severe frosts or heat.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
