Russian winter holiday Nikita Pozharnik: superstitions and folk omens February 13

Every year on February 13, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Nikita of Pechersk, Bishop of Novgorod. In 2025, the celebration falls on Thursday. In the folk calendar, the holiday is called "Nikita the Firefighter". "Izvestia" tells about the traditions and superstitions associated with it.

Holiday on February 13 - Nikita the Firefighter

St. Nikita lived in the XI century. In his youth he took monastic tonsure in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, becoming one of the first monks of the monastery. Soon afterward, the young monk asked the abbot to bless him with a hermitage. However, the abbot did not approve of the zeal of his ward, noting that such a feat was beyond his strength.

Despite the hegumen's warnings, Nikita nevertheless fulfilled his plan. After several days spent in seclusion, a demon in the form of an angel appeared to him. The devil's messenger said that the monk had already reached perfection and he did not need to pray anymore - only to read books and teach others the Holy Scriptures. The "angel" would pray for him.

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Being an inexperienced ascetic, Nikita could not see the lie in the words of the demon and gladly worshiped him. After some time he became a connoisseur of the Old Testament, but under the influence of the infernal tempter he avoided the Gospel and the mention of Christ. When the holy fathers of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra learned about it, they expelled the demon by prayer. At first Nikita could not remember what had happened while he was in the power of the devil. He swore that he did not know a single line from the Old Testament, and even lost the ability to read for a while. When he came to his senses, he repented of his sins and began to live a life of strict fasting and humility.

In time, Nikita's righteous labors led him to the rank of bishop - in 1096 he was elected bishop of Great Novgorod. For his flock the saint was a wise leader and an example of virtuous life. He cared for the poor and orphans, instructed the lost, directed the construction and improvement of temples.

According to legend, in 1097, by his prayer St. Nikita stopped the spread of a terrible fire that threatened to destroy Novgorod. Another year he saved the townspeople from famine by bringing rain in the midst of a prolonged drought. In time he came to be honored as a protector from fire and patron of agriculture.

Venerable Nikita died peacefully in 1108. In 1547 he was officially canonized.

Superstitions and beliefs on Nikita the Firefighter

In Russia, the day of the memory of Nikita of Pechora was called Nikita the Fireman. People believed that the saint could protect from fires and natural disasters, as well as from unclean forces and unknown enemies. Therefore, the morning of February 13 for most villagers began with prayer in the temple.

On the day of Nikita the Firefighter, our ancestors tried to protect the home from otherworldly forces. To do this, they drew crosses with chalk on windows and doors, and hid an axe under the threshold. On the windowsills laid out bundles of protective herbs: nettle, wormwood and thistle.

Girls and women who learned about the infidelity of the lover, held in Nikitin day special rituals, hoping that after that the beloved will stop looking at others.

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Since in the popular consciousness of St. Nikita was associated with fire, making fires on his holiday was strictly forbidden. The only exception was the oven, on which housewives cooked food. Fire could also be lit by witch doctors, who used it to drive out evil spirits. Such rituals were usually held far away from houses, so as not to provoke a destructive fire.

According to beliefs, on Nikita the Firefighter it was impossible to quarrel with loved ones and to find out relationships. It was believed that it would be extremely difficult to reconcile after that. If on the night of the holiday had a bad dream, it was not told to anyone, because they believed that all bad things can come true. Also on February 13, do not lend money and do not lend to anyone to avoid financial difficulties.

Folk omens for February 13

In Russia with the day of Nikita the Firefighter associated various omens. So, by the color of the fire in the oven guessed what the weather will be in the coming days. If the flame was white, they waited for a thaw, and if it was red, they prepared for frost. Sparrows, hastily insulating their nests, spoke of a soon cold snap.

If during the day on Nikita the branches of trees were covered with frost, they knew that the night would be clear and calm. The loud cry of crows, on the contrary, promised a strong snowstorm. The bright moon in the sky heralded clear weather in the coming days.

Earlier "Izvestia" told about omens and beliefs on the day of Fyodor Pominalnik.