Folk signs for December 23rd: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, omens have been given special importance since ancient times. They were used to judge the weather, when to sow and harvest, and what to expect in the future. Therefore, every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the popular signs of Tuesday, December 23, and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for December 23rd

In Russia, Mina Day, also known as Solstice Mine, was celebrated on December 23. In the popular consciousness, the holiday is organically intertwined with the natural cycle and the astronomical phenomenon — the winter solstice. The peasants noticed that it was after this "turn of the sun for summer" that the most severe frosts often came.

In the morning, people went out to the high hills to meet the first rays of the winter sun. And in the evening, large bonfires were lit — a symbol of the reborn luminary. Round dances were performed around them, and ritual songs were sung. On this day, the housewives generously fed the chickens with buckwheat so that they could lay better, and also baked special lean biscuits in the shape of animals, which, it was believed, attracted prosperity to the house.

Weather signs were given special importance on the Day of the Mine. They were used to judge what the winter and the future harvest would be like. If the frost was thickly covering the trees, it foreshadowed clear, frosty days and a rich harvest next year. If the wind changed direction abruptly during the day, a lot of buckwheat was expected in the new year.

Other signs of the day:

• the stars in the night sky are burning brightly — to severe frost, and if they twinkle and dim — wait for warmth and snowfall.;
• The moon is surrounded by a glowing ring — a sure sign of an approaching snowfall.;
• A southwesterly wind is blowing — warming should be expected;
• livestock behave restlessly — in case of a blizzard or snowstorm;
• smoke from the chimney is spreading across the ground — warm weather is coming soon.

What not to do on December 23rd

There was a strict set of prohibitions on the holiday, the violation of which could lead not only to temporary troubles, but also to long-term problems with health, finances or personal relationships. In order not to invite trouble, one should avoid lying, deception, quarrels, and even gazing into the eyes of strangers, especially when giving alms.

What else can not be done on December 23:

• raise your voice and sort things out — conflicts started on this day risk becoming protracted;
• slander or discuss other people's secrets — an evil word spoken on a holiday can return to the speaker.;
• to cook pastries for unmarried girls, widows, or "old maids" — it was believed that anyone who ate such cooking risked spending the whole year alone.;
• to be stingy and greedy — such thrift could lead to prolonged lack of money.;
• Staring at an open fire for a long time was believed to lead to blurred vision.

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What is the church holiday on December 23rd?

On December 23, the Orthodox Church commemorates the martyr Mina the Eloquent, who lived in the late third and early fourth centuries. He was a native of Athens and served in the military, secretly professing Christianity. When the emperor sent him to Alexandria on a mission to quell the unrest, Mina openly confessed his faith. Possessing the gift of persuasion and eloquence, he converted many pagans to Christ.

The enraged ruler, upon learning of what had happened, sent eparch Hermogenes to punish him, but seeing Mina's steadfastness during torture and his miraculous healing, he himself believed in Christ. As a result, both martyrs were executed. They were dumped into the sea in an iron box. Later, the relics were miraculously found and transferred to Constantinople, where a temple was erected in honor of Saint Mina.

Also on December 23, the memory of St. Joasaph of Belgorod (in the world Joachim Gorlenko), bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, who lived at the beginning of the XVIII century, is honored. Since childhood, having felt a vocation to monasticism, he took vows against the will of his parents. The monk's outstanding abilities were noticed and allowed him to take up the position of bishop of Belgorod. In this post, the saint devoted much effort to the education of the clergy, the restoration of churches, and caring for the needs of the flock. Joasaph died in 1754, and was canonized in 1911.

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Prayers on December 23rd

They pray to the Martyr Mina for healing from eye diseases, preservation of eyesight and spiritual epiphany. There was also a popular belief that prayer to the saint helps to find lost things. Saint Joasaph is addressed as an intercessor and miracle worker, asking for healing from various ailments, strengthening in faith and resolving difficult life situations.

Prayer to Mina the Eloquent

"O holy passion-bearer, Martyr Mino! Looking at your icon and remembering the purpose you have given to all who flow to you with faith and reverence, we bow down to you, bend the knee of our hearts, with all our soul we pray to you, be our intercessor before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for our infirmities, strengthen and comfort us in our sorrows, giving us memory O our sins, help us in the misfortunes and troubles of this world and in all the troubles that beset us in this vale. Amen to that."

Prayer to Joasaph of Belgorod

"O Holy Hierarch Joasaph of Christ, wonderworker of Belogradsky! We believe in sinners and unworthy ones, for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are on their prayer, and for this we seek refuge in your prayers and ask your intercession for us, according to the apostolic word, trusting that your love never falls away. In our sins and diseases, we become like smoking flax and a broken reed, and if we live, we live by the grace of God and for the prayers of His righteous. Therefore, O righteous Father, incline your heart to our supplication, and through your intercession grant the Christian race peace and blessing from the Lord. Strengthen Orthodoxy, and put an end to the attacks of the wicked and lawless on the church of God. Beseech the Heavenly Father to deliver us from the invasion of the enemy, from civil strife and confusion of the people, from destructive pestilences and deadly plagues, from famine, fire, flood and other troubles and circumstances. Ask Christ God for the strength of our souls and the health of our bodies that we need, and for the healing of diseases: walking with the lame, seeing the blind, strengthening the weak, consoling the sad, and deliverance from all sorrows. And unite the fallen branches of Christ with you, that you may be worthy to be a partaker of it, so that the most honorable and magnificent name of our God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, may be glorified by you, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told us what the righteous Joachim and Anna are praying about.

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