December 17 - Varvarin Day: history, traditions, folk omens

Every year on December 17, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Great Martyr Barbara of Iliopolis. In 2024, the celebration falls on Tuesday. In the popular environment, the holiday is called Varvarin Day. About why on this day you can not raise your voice at women and do needlework, read in the material "Izvestia".

Varvarin day in 2024 - the history of the holiday

According to legend, St. Barbara lived in the III century in the city of Iliopolis, located in modern Syria. She was born into a noble pagan family and lost her mother early. The girl's father, Dioscorus, seeing how beautiful and inquisitive his daughter was growing, decided to lock her up in a secluded castle to keep her away from prying eyes and the influence of Christians.

Barbara spent her days in solitude, admiring the landscape outside the window. Reflecting on the grandeur of the sky and the splendor of the earth led her to the idea that the world must have a wise and all-powerful Creator. Thus the girl came closer to the knowledge of God for the first time.

When Barbara grew up, her father talked to her about marriage, but the saint resolutely refused to choose a spouse. Hoping that her friends could change her mind, Dioscorus allowed his daughter to leave the castle. But, instead of idle talk, the girl began to communicate with local Christian women, from whom she learned about Christ.

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One day Dioscorus went on a long trip. At that time a priest arrived in Iliopolis under the guise of a merchant. Barbara invited him into her home and asked him to baptize her. The minister of the church fulfilled this request, after which the girl turned to God with even greater fervor and vowed to dedicate her life to Him.

When Dioscorus learned of what had taken place in his absence, he became furious with rage. He disowned his daughter and handed her over to the governor of the city for judgment. No matter how they persuaded Barbara to forget about Christ and worship idols, the saint remained adamant. For this she was tortured and thrown into prison. Seeing the courage of the martyr, the Christian Juliana openly confessed her faith and was also tortured. After much torture and humiliation, the girls were beheaded. According to legend, shortly afterwards their tormentors were struck by lightning.

Varvarin Day - traditions of the folk holiday on December 17

In Russia, the day of the memory of the Great Martyr Barbara was called Varvarine Day or Varvarine frosts. The fact is that by the holiday in most regions cold weather had already set in, there were often blizzards and heavy snowfalls. Therefore, although by December 17 winter roads were becoming strong and comfortable, people were wary of traveling - there was a high risk of catching a cold or freezing to death.

People considered Varvarin Day to be a "woman's" holiday, as they believed that St. Varvara was the patron saint of women. In the morning, the "guilty party" went to the temples to ask their heavenly intercessor for health for children, help in conceiving a child and childbirth, a strong marriage and well-being in the family. It was also believed that the martyr could protect from sudden death without repentance.

With Varvara's day in Russia began preparations for the big holiday - Nikola the Winter (December 19). Therefore, housewives prepared treats of honey, nuts and fruit in advance, and men brewed beer for the coming festivities. Fishermen and hunters set aside time to check their gear and equipment, which may come in handy in the forest.

What can and cannot be done on December 17

The Orthodox Church does not establish special prohibitions on the day of the Great Martyr Barbara. However, believers should remember that the holiday falls on the Christmas fast, during which you can not eat meat, eggs and dairy products. It is allowed to include fish and other seafood in the diet.

In Russia, various prohibitions and superstitions were associated with Varvarin's Day. On the holiday, craftswomen did not do needlework, because they believed that on December 17, any sharp object, including needles, needles and spindles, can seriously hurt.

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Men were forbidden to raise their voices to women on Varvarin's Day, as this could provoke the anger of the holy martyr. According to popular beliefs, he who could not control himself would suffer from joint or stomach pains. Girls were also supposed to obey their mothers and mothers-in-law. Quarrels with older women on the holiday were considered a great sin.

In addition, in popular belief, December 17 was not the best date for traveling. People believed that on the day a traveler could face not only cold weather, but also various troubles.

Omen for Varvarin Day on December 17

On the day of St. Barbara, villagers carefully watched the weather. They knew that if frosts hit on the holiday, the cold would last for a long time. That the temperature would drop sharply in the near future was indicated by cats not wanting to leave the warm place on the stove. Bright stars in the sky promised a late and wet spring, and cloudiness, on the contrary, promised an early arrival of spring.

Earlier "Izvestia" told about the history and traditions of Naumov Day.