December 26 - Eustratius Day: history, traditions, omens

Every year on December 26, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the holy martyr Eustratius, who lived in the fourth century in Sebastia. In 2024, the holiday falls on Thursday. In the folk calendar it is called Eustratius Day or Witches' Sitting, because in Russia it was believed that during this period the dark forces are activated. On the omens and traditions of the celebration read in the material "Izvestia".

Eustratiev Day - 2024: the history of the holiday on December 26

St. Eustratius lived in the IV century in Sebastia Armenian in the period of persecution of believers, initiated by Emperor Diocletian. He belonged to a rich and noble family, and held the position of counselor and head of the imperial notaries of the city of Satalion in Armenia Minor.

The saint for a long time kept secret his belonging to the Christian Church. However, impressed by the courage of the followers of Christ, who were tortured and executed, Eustratius decided to reveal the truth to the public. For this he was put on trial and stripped of all his titles.

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For his refusal to renounce the Christian faith, the saint was brutally tortured and executed.

Traditions and customs of Eustratiev Day - what you can and can not do on December 26

In Russia, Eustratiev day was not accidentally named Witches' Sitting - it was considered the most dangerous of the year. In the olden days believed that during this period witches, leshy and other mystical creatures gather for a council to come up with a plan to "defeat" the sun and prolong the dark season.

On Eustratius it was customary to conduct rites of purification of the house, protective rituals, scaring away representatives of dark forces. Thus, the people believed that for this purpose it was necessary to put at the front door tools of steel. Men put an axe with the point upwards, and women stuck a sickle into the threshold.

For the same reason, the holiday was accompanied by many superstitions and restrictions. People believed that the evil power can take any form, so in the Witches' Sitting it was strictly forbidden to pick up things dropped by someone, touch animals on the street, let strangers into the house and even talk to strangers. According to the belief, through them dark forces could penetrate into the house or transmit spoilage and curses.

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For the same reason it was forbidden to let pets outdoors - it was believed that they could be possessed by evil. Also on Eustratius it was forbidden to swear profanely, otherwise "a witch can fall from the sky right on your head".

On this day it was customary to do housework in the family, to visit the church, to read prayers to St. Eustratius for the protection of the house and relatives, they were considered especially effective on this day.

Folk omens on Eustratiev day

From Eustratiev Day in Russia it was customary to start watching the weather for the next 12 days. It was believed that each of them predicted the weather for "his" month, starting in January. So, what will be December 26 - so will be January.

It was believed that if magpies landed on snow on the holiday, it was worth waiting for a thaw. The howling of wolves near dwellings heralded frost. Snow on Eustar Day promised a good harvest in summer, and clear skies at night - early spring.

Earlier Izvestia told about the history and traditions of the folk holiday Spiridon Solntsevorot.