December 29 - Ageyev Day: history, traditions, folk omens
Every year on December 29, Orthodox believers honor the memory of St. Haggai, the tenth among the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament, who lived in the 6th century B.C.E.. In the folk calendar, the holiday is called Aggey's Day. In 2024 this date falls on Sunday. About its history, traditions and folk omens read in the material "Izvestia".
Ageev Day - 2024: the history of the holiday
St. Aggei lived in the VI century BC. Information about him has survived a little. The legend says that he was one of those who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem.
The saint is considered one of the last prophets of the Old Testament, whose predictions made up the tenth book of the twelve minor prophets. In them he foretold the exodus of his people from the Jewish captivity, and also called upon the ruler to resume work on the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple, the construction of which had been suspended because of the accusations of the Samaritans.
Haggai is also known as a preacher who called people to repentance and spiritual purification.
Traditions and customs on Aggey's Day, December 29
In Russia, the prophet Aggei was considered the patron saint of infants. Believers turned to him with prayers for the health of newborn children, protecting them from the evil eye. It was also considered obligatory to ask the saint to preserve the purity of the infant's soul and guide him to the path of truth.
In Russia, it was customary to spend the holiday in the family circle and in domestic chores. It was necessary to finish all the unfinished business related to the house and household, to carry out a general cleaning. Ancestors believed that the remaining "tails" could cause bad luck in the next year.
On Ageyev day there was an active preparation for the New Year holidays. On this day women made cold meats, prepared sweets for carolers, and men brewed beer.
Prohibitions of Ageev Day: what you can not do on December 29
On Ageyev Day it was forbidden to leave home, leave your family, especially children. It was believed that this could lead to misfortune. Even those who simply decided to repair their shoes risked misfortune, so shoe repair was postponed to another day.
According to beliefs, it was forbidden to sit on the table on the holiday, as it could lead to financial difficulties. Among the prohibitions of this day were also talking across the threshold. The people believed that such communication could lead to a long quarrel.
Folk omens on Ageyev Day on December 29
Special attention on December 29 was paid to omens. People believed that nature on this day can suggest what will be the winter and the whole next year. At night in Russia it was customary to burn fires and throw in them made of snow men. If the fire was quickly extinguished, it heralded sunny and clear weather for Svyatki.
Also on Aggeya "guessed" by frost about the weather in the near future. There was a saying: "Aggei the prophet sows frost on the doorstep". The ancestors believed that if trees and houses "frosted over", the weather on Svyatki will be warm. And if there are patterns on the windows, there will be frost for 20 days. Snow on the holiday promised a good harvest in the summer. And increased frost on December 29 - prolonged and severe winter.
Earlier "Izvestia" told about the history and traditions of Filimonov day.
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