Folk signs for February 5: 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, February 5, and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for February 5th

In Russia, Agafiev Day, also known as Agafiy-polukhlebnik, was celebrated on February 5. By this time, most of the supplies for the winter were running out, and the peasants were conducting an audit to make sure that the remaining flour and grain would last until spring. The day served as a kind of frontier, after which austerity was introduced. Exceptions were made only on church holidays and on days of important family celebrations.

Early in the morning, the whole family went to the barns, cellars and storerooms. They sorted grain and cereals, checked the safety of vegetables, dried mushrooms and berries. Spoiled products were thrown away without regret, believing that with them the "spoilage" and any evil spirits that could enter the home during Christmas leave the house. The purification of the surrounding space was also considered important. The houses were carefully cleaned, dust was swept from the corners, cobwebs were removed and rituals were performed to protect the dwelling.

During the day, the family gathered at a large table. The main treat on the holiday was chicken coops. Each hostess had her own filling recipe, passed down from generation to generation. Chicken pie was considered a symbol of health, well-being and prosperity. On this day, every family member had to break off a piece, and the crumbs were collected and given to poultry. In order for the well-being of the family not to leave, it was also important to show mercy and give alms to those in need.

Folk signs on Agafiev Day were associated with predicting the weather and the future harvest. If the weather was clear and frosty that day, then a hot and dry August was expected, which promised a good grain filling. Another favorable sign was the thick, abundant snow — it foreshadowed a rich harvest of bread in the summer.

Other signs of the day:

• The sparrows are chirping together for the snowfall.;
• the cattle butts and worries in the barn — to the blizzard;
• squirrels come out of hiding and jump briskly from tree to tree — towards the thaw.;
• the sun is shining brightly in the morning, the sky is clear — spring will come earlier than usual;
• frost on the trees — for a wet, rainy summer.

What not to do on February 5th

During the holiday, they were wary of actions that could lead to loss of well-being and discord in the family. They were especially afraid of quarrels and conflicts, believing that the quarrel started on Agafiev Day would be long and difficult for all participants. It was considered extremely unfavorable to borrow money or spend it on unnecessary purchases — this promised financial difficulties.

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What else can not be done on February 5th:

• to be lazy and idle leads to loss of wealth and need;
• plan important meetings — they will go to no avail;
• to pick up money from the ground — otherwise debts and failures threatened;
• to refuse charity and help is to lose the grace of God.

What is the church holiday on February 5th?

On February 5 (January 23, Old Style), the Orthodox Church commemorates the holy Martyrs Clement of Ancyra and his disciple Agathangelos the Roman. Both saints lived in the 3rd–4th centuries, during the persecution of Christians under the Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximilian.

The Holy Martyr Clement was born in the Asian city of Ankira (modern Ankara, Turkey). Orphaned, he was raised by a pious woman who instilled in him a love of faith and charity. Already in his youth, having become famous for his virtues, Clement was ordained bishop of Ancyra.

The life of Saint Clement became a continuous feat of confessing. He was repeatedly arrested and subjected to terrible tortures: burned at the stake, his body was cut up, and he was tortured on a wheel. However, each time the Lord miraculously healed his wounds, which strengthened the faith of others and converted many pagans to Christianity.

His faithful companion and colleague was the disciple Agafangel, who voluntarily followed his teacher, wanting to share the martyr's crown with him. After suffering, the saints died for their faith around the year 312.

On the same day, the faithful remember St. Paul the Merciful, Bishop of Nolan. He was born in the 5th century into a noble Roman family, which allowed him to build a brilliant career. Later, he and his wife were baptized and devoted their lives to serving God and people. For his virtues, humility and mercy, Pavlin was elected bishop of the Italian city of Nola, where he served until his death.

An interesting legend about the origin of bells is associated with his name. According to legend, one day a Peacock saw in a dream a field where bluebells grew. When he plucked one of the flowers, there was a melodious ringing that struck him with its beauty. The next morning, Peacock ordered the casting of a bell in the shape of a flower, marking the beginning of the tradition of bell ringing in Europe.

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Prayers on February 5th

They pray to the Holy Martyr Clement of Ancyra for healing from diseases, strengthening faith and spirit during periods of life's trials. It is customary for St. Paulinus the Merciful to pray for those who are in captivity or imprisonment. He is also asked to patronize all those who are associated with church art and bell ringing.

Prayer to Clement of Ancyra

Troparion, glas 4:

"The vine of reverence and the stem of suffering, the most sacred flower and the God-given fruit, you have been granted to the faithful, all-holy and ever-blooming, but as a compassionate martyr and co-altar with the priests, pray to Christ God for our souls."

Kontakion, glas 4:

"You were an honest rod of Christ, the long-suffering Clement of all praise, appeared, and you cried out with the suffering: You are a martyr, O Christ, a bright joy."

Prayer to the Merciful Peacock

"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, St. Pauline, <...>..> 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."

Earlier, Izvestia told what they were praying to the Venerable Martyr Anastasy Persyanin.

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