Folk signs for January 22: 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 Thursday, January 22, and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for January 22

In Russia, Philippi Day was celebrated on January 22. The holiday marked the transition to household chores after a series of winter holidays — Christmas, Yuletide and Epiphany. According to custom, the day was devoted to active work. The women cleaned the house, washed, sorted, and checked winter supplies. The men tended the cattle, cleaned the stables, and put their work equipment in order.

After lunch, according to tradition, the sauna was heated to "wash off" the idle fuss. They always took treats to the steam room for the bannik, the spirit of the bathhouse, to appease him and ensure his well—being for the whole year. And before going to bed, they performed a special financial ceremony. To do this, it was necessary to show the purse to the growing Moon. Our ancestors believed that a year would pass in prosperity after that.

Natural phenomena and animal behavior were also closely observed during the holiday. These tips helped predict what the weather and the future harvest would be like. So, a snowstorm or a blizzard foreshadowed a stormy, rainy summer. A sunny and clear day was considered a good sign for future field work, expecting a lot of bread.

Other signs of the day:

• The forest is noisy — the warming is coming soon;
• Crows and jackdaws gather in the treetops to increase the frost;
• A purple or crimson sunset leads to a blizzard and a blizzard.;
• hoarfrost on haystacks — for rainy summer;
• finding a lost item during cleaning is good luck.

What not to do on January 22

On Philippi's Day, as on other celebrations, there was a strict set of rules, the violation of which, according to beliefs, led to troubles and misfortunes. For example, on this day it was forbidden to be lazy and work carelessly, as this could "bring" poverty for the whole year. They also avoided long-distance trips, believing that unforeseen dangers could overtake them on the way.

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Bathing in the ice hole gives spiritual purification and vigor for the whole year, the believers said.

What else can not be done on January 22:

• swearing and swearing — you can lose your voice.;
• wearing torn or dirty clothes leads to sadness and longing for the whole year.;
• mopping floors — you can "wash away" luck and well-being from the house.;
• sewing buttons — to "sew" adversities and problems to yourself;
• offending children and the elderly leads to conflicts in the family.

What is the church holiday on January 22

On January 22, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia (in the world, Fyodor Kolychev). The saint was born in 1507 into a noble boyar family. From his youth, gravitating towards the spiritual life, he left a brilliant career at the court of the future Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible and retired to the Solovetsky Monastery. There, having taken monastic vows, he rose from a simple monk to abbot.

In 1566, at the insistence of Ivan the Terrible, Philip was elevated to the rank of metropolitan. However, seeing the cruelty and arbitrariness of the royal guards, he could not remain silent. The saint openly defended the innocent convicts, which led to a conflict with the tsar. He was defrocked and imprisoned in the Tver monastery. In 1569, he was martyred at the hands of Malyuta Skuratov.

For the faithful, the saint became a symbol of indomitable fortitude and pastoral courage before the secular authorities. His church veneration began shortly after his death. The relics of Philip were solemnly transferred to Moscow, since then they have been in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin.

On the same date, the holy Martyr Polyeuctes, who lived in the Armenian city of Melitene in the 3rd century, is remembered. He was a warrior and professed paganism. However, inspired by the faith of the persecuted Christians under Emperor Valerian and his own miraculous dream, he decided to openly confess Christ.

On the day of the pagan festival, Polyeuctes went to the city square, where he refused to worship idols. For this he was executed, becoming the first martyr in Melitene. Subsequently, a temple was dedicated to him, where many miracles were performed.

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Prayers on January 22

Prayers are addressed to St. Philip for the gift of fortitude, courage and wisdom in difficult circumstances. They also pray to Him when it is necessary to defend the truth in the face of injustice or in litigation. He is also considered the patron saint and protector of the innocently convicted, widows and orphans. The Holy Martyr Polyeuctes, as a soldier who suffered martyrdom, helps to overcome fear and cowardice, especially in moments of doubt and trials.

Prayer to Philip of Moscow

"O most honorable and sacred head and full of the grace of the Holy Spirit, the dwelling of the Savior with the Father, our great bishop, our warm intercessor, to St. Philip, <...>..> pray for the salvation of the flock of Christ by the people, confirm the welfare of the holy churches: bishops, adorn the monks with the splendor of holiness, strengthen the monks for the feat of the good current, preserve the reigning city and all cities and countries with goodness, and keep the holy immaculate faith, pacify the whole world through your intercession, deliver us from gladness and destruction, and preserve us from the attacks of foreigners, comfort the old, guide the young, be wise to the insane, have mercy on widows, intercede for orphans, raise up infants, bring back captives, free those who are weak and pray to you from all misfortunes and troubles through your intercession: pray for us to the All-merciful and Loving Christ our God, that on the day of His Terrible Coming He may deliver us from our suffering, and the joys of the saints He will create communion with all the saints forever and ever. Amen to that."

Prayer to Polyeuctus of Melitene

"O Holy Martyr Polyeuctes! Hear us now, who are fervently praying to you. Pray for us, servants of God (names), that we may be delivered from all sorrows, diseases, troubles and circumstances and live piously in the present life, walking in the commandments and justifications of the Lord without blemish. Ask for our sins to be forgiven, our bodies to be healthy, our lives to be corrected, and eternal salvation, so that through your warm intercession we may be saved, and may we ascribe glory to our glorified God in the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to the prophet John the Baptist.

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