February 17 - Nikola Studeny: customs, omens and prohibitions of the day
On February 17, the Orthodox Church honors the Monk Nicholas the Studite, who lived in the 9th century. The saint was hegumen of the Studia Monastery in Constantinople and was famous for the gift of miracle-working. In the people with this day was associated with many customs and superstitions, and the holiday itself was called "Nikola Studeny". How it was celebrated in Russia, tell "Izvestia".
Nicholas Studeny: the history of the holiday, celebrated on February 17
The holy confessor was born on the island of Crete. At the age of nine, he was sent to his uncle - monk of the Studi monastery Theophanes. The boy finished the school at the monastery, and after his studies he tonsured himself as a monk.
In those years Byzantium was ruled by Emperor Leo V the Armenian, under whom persecution of Christians honoring holy icons began. Nicholas was arrested and imprisoned in a dungeon, where he spent several years with other prisoners.
The prisoners were released after the death of the ruler. But the persecution did not end there. Nicholas was able to return to his former life when a new emperor, Basil I of Macedonia, ascended the throne.
The monk returned to the Studia monastery and was elected its abbot. Until the end of his days he continued to preach and spread the word of God to people, for which he was rewarded with the gift of healing. It is believed that even today the reverend helps the sick and infirm, as well as all those who turn to him for help.
Traditions of Nikola Studenogo - 2025
In the olden days it was believed that it was from Nikolai Studit that the February frosts intensified, so they nicknamed this day "Student". On this occasion people used to say: "On Studenogo Nikola snow will pile up a mountain".
Usually on the holiday people attended the service, and then did household chores: they inspected the huts for drafts, cleaned the stable and held special rituals to protect the livestock - first of all, from wild animals that prowled near the villages in the cold.
Not without reason another name of the holiday is "Wolf's Svat". It was believed that at this time in the forests are animal weddings. In order not to inadvertently meet wolves and foxes, they tried not to go out of the yard.
In the evenings they organized tea parties at the samovar and fortune-telling. Fortune-telling was used to tell fortunes and the future harvest. And by the signs of the day they determined the weather. If the branches of a spruce bent to the ground, it meant a snowstorm. If the forest seemed blackened, then soon expected a thaw.
What you can and can not do on February 17
According to folk beliefs, on Nikola Studenogo it is impossible to spend time idly and have fun, otherwise misfortunes will come.
Do not go to the forest on the holiday, so as not to frighten the mating animals and avoid an attack. Any hunting is also forbidden.
Also on this day it is not recommended to cut hair and wear clothes of red color. This will avoid spoilage and other troubles.
There is a belief that on Nikola Nikola dreams are believed. Therefore, it is worth listening to your dreams, as they can indicate the events of the future.
Earlier "Izvestia" told what mystical omens existed on Fedor-Pominatnik.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
