December 7 - Katerina Sannitsa: history, traditions, omens
Every year on December 7, Orthodox Christians honor the memory of the holy martyr Catherine of Alexandria, who lived in the 3rd-4th centuries and suffered for her faith in Jesus Christ. In 2024, the celebration falls on Saturday. In the folk calendar it is called Katerina Sannitsa. About its history, traditions and folk omens read in the material "Izvestia".
Katerina Sannitsa - the history of the holiday on December 7
The Great Martyr Catherine was a native of Alexandria. As recorded in the hagiography of the saint, she received a good education, knew several languages, studied philosophy, literature, medicine, in particular, was familiar with the works of Asclepius, Hippocrates and Galen. She also possessed the art of oratory.
The girl's life changed dramatically after meeting a Syrian monk who converted her to Christianity. According to legend, after her baptism, Jesus Christ appeared to her in a dream and gave her a ring. There is another version of the legend, which says that the ring was received by Catherine from the Virgin Mary.
One day Catherine came to a pagan temple for a traditional sacrifice ceremony, which was performed by Emperor Maximin. The girl urged the ruler to convert to the true faith. Shocked by the beauty of the young Christian, the ruler promised to make her his wife if she would sacrifice to the pagan gods. The saint refused, and then she was tortured.
During the torture, one of the instruments of the torturers "was destroyed by an angel". The wife of the emperor was so impressed by this episode that she converted to Christianity. However, Maximin was inexorable, as a result, both women were executed.
After the execution, Catherine's body disappeared. According to legend, angels carried it to the top of the highest mountain of Sinai. Only three centuries later were the relics of the martyr found after a vision revealed to the monks. The saint was identified by the very ring given to her by Jesus Christ.
Folk traditions, what can and what can not be done on Catherine of Sannitsa
In Russia on Katerina Sannitsa opened the season of sledding. The first to go were newlyweds who got married in the fall. It was on this holiday that newlyweds could go out for the first time after the wedding. The newlyweds' sleighs were painted and decorated with ribbons. They were followed by a cortege of relatives and friends.
According to tradition, it was obligatory to roll down the mountain on Katerina. For this purpose, both road sleds and hand sleds-sleds or simple boards were used. Also on this day it was customary to play snowballs and mold snow women. Another tradition of the holiday is that after leaving the house, one must walk through the tulupe turned fur outward to protect from the evil eye.
St. Catherine in Russia was considered the patroness of marriage, brides, the helper of pregnant women and women in labor. Therefore, on this day it was customary to pray for marriage and safe childbirth.
On the night of Katerina, maidens who dreamed of marrying witchcraft for bridegrooms: they put an apple tree branch under their pillow at night to see their intended in a dream. If the potential husband in mind was already there, the young lady took his thing and rolled a loaf around it, so that the chosen one also walked in circles around her house.
What you can and can not do on Katerina Sannitsa December 7
On Katerina Sannitsa it was forbidden to quarrel, do hard labor and clean the house. Also in Russia believed that on the holiday you can not linger in the guests, you need to return home before sunset, so as not to bring trouble on yourself.
Do not forget that the day of St. Catherine's memory falls during the Christmas fast, which will last until January 6. At this time, believers are forbidden to eat meat, milk and eggs.
Folk omens of December 7
On Katerina in the people it was customary to observe nature and judge what weather to expect in the coming winter, how soon spring will come, whether the harvest will be sufficient.
Thus, it was believed that if the weather was clear on the holiday, the winter would be frosty and prolonged, with snowstorms. Slush on Katerina heralded the coming of cold weather. The lack of snow cover on December 7 boded bad harvest next year.
Earlier "Izvestia" told about the history and traditions of Prokopyev Day.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
