December 25 - Spiridon Solstice: history, traditions, omens
Every year on December 25, Orthodox believers honor the memory of St. Spiridon of Trimiphunt, who had the ability to perform miracles and heal the seriously ill. In the folk calendar, the holiday is called Spiridon Solntvorot in honor of the gradual lengthening of the daylight hours and the "turning of the sun to summer." In 2024, the date falls on Wednesday. About its history, traditions and folk omens read in the material "Izvestia".
Spiridon Solntivorot - 2024: the history of the holiday
On this day in the Orthodox churches honor Spiridon of Trimiphunt. He lived in the IV century on the island of Cyprus during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great. The future saint professed Christianity and from childhood was famous for his piety and meekness. He worked hard, but always remained benevolent to people. His "spiritual guides" were the Old Testament righteous men David, Jacob and Abraham.
In his youth Spiridon married, but soon after the birth of his daughter Irina, whom he himself baptized, his wife died. The grievous loss did not deprive him of his faith, he continued to serve God with his good works.
Spyridon began his journey as an ordinary shepherd, but Constantine, who heard about his virtues, promoted his election to the post of bishop of the city of Trimiphunt. According to the hagiography, the saint even after that, in his humility, did not disdain to shepherd sheep and led a simple way of life.
According to Church legend, St. Spyridon had the gift of performing miracles, healing the seriously ill and even raising the dead. Thus, a case is described when the bishop went to ask for a colleague who had been defamed by his enemies and sentenced to death, but his path was blocked by a flood. The bishop recalled the Old Testament story of how Joshua crossed the flooded Jordan on foot, thanks to his faith. Spyridon offered a prayer, and the stream parted. Shocked by the miracle, the judge met the saint with honor and released the innocent man.
It is known that in 325 St. Spyridon took part in the First Ecumenical Council, convened by order of Emperor Constantine the Great in Nicea. It was there that the basic truths of the Christian faith were defined. Spyridon made a simple, heartfelt speech, which was able to turn away from the heresy spread at that time, Arianism, many believers and return them to the confession of Christianity.
The relics of the saint are kept in the Church of Spyridon of Trimiphunte in the city of Kerkyra on the island of Corfu. An unusual church tradition is associated with them. According to legend, after his death, the saint went traveling around the world, so every year on the holiday of his relics "re-shoe", and the old shoes are donated to other churches.
Traditions and customs of Spiridon Solstice on December 25
In the folk calendar, the holiday symbolizes the milestone when the day begins to add, so the word "Solntsevorot" was added to the name of the saint in Russia. Our ancestors believed that on Spiridon the sun turns to summer, and winter - to frost.
This day symbolized the beginning of a new natural cycle, reflected in rituals and folk traditions. According to the belief, the saint himself turns the sun, so people used to say: "After Spiridon, even if it is a sparrow's skip, the day will arrive.
Orthodox believers went to church in the morning for the festive liturgy and offered prayers to St. Spiridon. He was asked to recover the sick, solve financial issues, prosperity in the home and protection from poverty. Also on this day it was customary to support the suffering and needy.
In Russia, the period of the winter solstice was considered mystical. People believed that at this time it was possible to "placate" the sun, so that it would return to summer warmth faster. That's why on Spiridon in the villages organized noisy folk festivals, bonfires were lit in the streets, around which they were dancing and dancing. And after sunset they set fire to an old wheel and lowered it down the hill, saying: "The wheel, burn, roll, come back with red spring!"
It was not customary to start new business on the holiday, as well as to discuss plans and tell about new projects. Also in the people on this day was forbidden heavy physical labor, and young people were forbidden to go to the forest to hunt, because it was believed that during the "meeting" of winter and summer can occur unpredictable, dangerous events. At this time should have been careful and take care of themselves.
Folk omens December 25 - what predicts the weather on Spiridon's day
In the people on Spiridon it was customary to guess about what weather awaits the winter, what will be the harvest next year. In Russia they used to say: "Spiridon Solntsevorot will tell about the weather", "Spiridon Solntsevorot shrugs the sky".
Thus, ancestors noticed that the frost on this day portended a long and cold winter. The bright sun promised cold on Svyatki, and hoarfrost - warmth. If the wind changed direction on the holiday, one could expect a good harvest the following year.
On the holiday in the villages cut cherry twigs and put them in a pot with earth. It was believed that if they "take root" and blossom at Christmas, there will be a lot of cherries in the summer.
Earlier Izvestia told about the history and traditions of the folk holiday Anna Dark.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
