December 20 - Abrosimov Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on December 20, Orthodox believers honor the memory of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Mediola. The holiday is especially honored as a time of spiritual reflection and the beginning of preparation for Christmas. In the folk calendar, it is called Abrosimov Day. In 2024, the feast falls on Friday. About its history, traditions and folk omens read in the material "Izvestia".

Abrosimov Day - 2024: the history of the holiday

In the Church calendar December 20 - the day of memory of St. Ambrosius, Bishop of Mediolanus, who lived in the IV century in Italy of the period of the Western Roman Empire. He came from a wealthy and noble Roman family who practiced Christianity. The holy martyr Soteria, who suffered for the faith during the persecutions under Emperor Diocletian, was Ambrosius' cousin.

As a young man he received a brilliant education in Rome, after which in 373 he was appointed prefect (governor) of northern Italy with residence in Mediolana (now Milan). A year later, Ambrose, who was highly respected by the townspeople, was proposed for the post of bishop. On November 30, 374 he was baptized, ordained a priest and on December 7 was declared a bishop, having passed for seven days all the steps of the church hierarchy.

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Having ascended to the episcopal cathedra in Mediolanum, Ambrosius donated his entire fortune to the needs of the church and until the end of his life led a modest lifestyle, observing the vow of nestiazhatstvo.

Ambrosius was considered the best preacher of his time, one of the four great Latin Teachers of the Church, who left behind many theological works. It was he who converted and baptized St. Augustine Aurelius. The life and works of the bishop had a great influence on the formation of the Christian Church, he was honored as a saint even during his lifetime.

Traditions and customs, what you can not do on Abrosimov Day on December 20

In Russia, Abrosimov Day was an important part of the calendar cycle. From December 20, Orthodox believers began preparations for Christmas, paying special attention to prayers. There was even a saying among the people: "Ambrosius threw away the holidays", as up to January 7 there were no more important celebrations in the calendar.

Men on this day were supposed to put order in the stable, cut poultry and pigs, catch fish. Women were engaged in housekeeping: sewing and mending clothes, doing needlework, making preparations for winter, cleaning the house and changing curtains.

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It is interesting that "bolshukhs" (the eldest women in the family) had to put on half fur coats and mittens inside out on Abrosy. They were also engaged in festive baking. There was a special ritual - a stalk of oats was inserted into each loaf, and bowls with honey and water were placed nearby. People believed that in this way the house could attract happiness, health and money luck.

But fun festivities with songs, as well as bright clothes, on Abrosimov's day were forbidden. It was also forbidden to wash laundry, wash and comb the head, so as not to bring misfortune on your house.

Abrosimov Day: folk omens on December 20

December 20 in Russia carefully watched the weather, predicting what will be the winter and the future harvest. Thus, the frost on Abrosimov Day portended that the coming year would be fertile. If sparrows flocked together and sat hunched over, it was understood that it was necessary to prepare for cold and snowy weather. A strong wind meant a severe winter with plenty of precipitation. Snow with rain heralded a rainy summer, and dry snowfall - summer drought.

Earlier "Izvestia" told about the traditions of celebrating Savvin's Day in Russia.