Folk signs for May 6: 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 May 6 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for May 6
In the peasant calendar of Russia, Yuri Veshny (or Yegoriev day) symbolizing the final awakening of the earth from its winter slumber. "Yuri" and "Yegoriy" are folk versions of the name of St. George the Victorious, who in the old days was considered the patron saint of livestock.
On May 6, it was customary to perform rituals designed to appease the saint and ensure a rich harvest. The peasants went out to the winter fields, served prayer services with water consecration and sprinkled the fields with holy water, believing that this would protect the seedlings from drought and give strength to the earth. The most important ritual was the first pasture of cattle. The owners walked around the herd with the icon of St. George, and the shepherds talked the animals away from adversity, evil eyes and predators. There was a custom to feed shepherds with "mundane eggs" and give them gifts, since, according to legend, the health of animals depended on their favor.
On this day, the "Yurievskaya rosa" was endowed with special magical power. The ancestors believed that the morning moisture on this holiday has healing properties that can cure ailments and give strength. People went out into the meadows at dawn to ride on the dewy grass, saying: "Be healthy, like St. George's dew." The girls collected dew in a clean cloth, washed their faces with it for beauty and to attract their betrothed.
The main weather signs of the day were predictions of the future harvest. For example, if it rained on May 6, it promised excellent grass growth and, as a result, rich haymaking.
Other signs of the day:
- rain leads to good haymaking and a bountiful harvest of herbs.;
- A clear and warm morning leads to a sunny summer;
- bright and fluffy clouds — the weather will turn bad soon;
- the cuckoo is crowing loudly and painfully — for a lean year;
- A towel left on the street overnight has dried up, leading to a good harvest of cucumbers, and if it remains wet, you can expect trouble with vegetables.
What not to do on May 6th
On St. George's Day, there were a number of strict prohibitions, the violation of which, according to beliefs, could bring poverty, disease and ruin to the house. Our ancestors were afraid of the wrath of St. George. For example, in no case was it allowed to offend livestock: beat, scold or lock up without food. It was believed that this was a direct way to the death of animals and lack of money in the family. Also, any work with wool or down was strictly prohibited: it was forbidden not only to shear sheep, but even to pick up knitting needles and knit.
What else can not be done on May 6:
- Eating meat dishes and killing animals will lead to wolves attacking livestock and poverty;
- sewing, needlework, or cutting your hair — you can "sew up" your fate or lose your beauty and luck.;
- work in the garden (planting, weeding, digging) — the harvest will be poor or it will be destroyed by hail;
- quarreling, swearing and holding a grudge can lead to prolonged illnesses and scandals in the house.;
- drying bed linen outside at night is a risk of bringing "spring fever" to the household.
What is the church holiday on May 6th?
On May 6, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Great Martyr George the Victorious and the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God (the Goalkeeper).
The Great Martyr George lived in Cappadocia in the 3rd century A.D. Being a talented military commander and a favorite of Emperor Diocletian, during the persecution of Christians he distributed his possessions to the poor, released his slaves and preached about Christ to the tormentor. For his unyielding faith, he was subjected to inhuman tortures: he was tortured for eight days, forcing him to renounce the Lord. According to his life, George patiently endured being wheeled, beaten with ox veins, and even staying in quicklime. Every night, his body was healed by Divine grace. Seeing the miracles and courage of the saint, Empress Alexandra believed in Christ, for which she was martyred together with the saint.
This saint also became famous for his posthumous miracle, which gave him the nickname the Victorious. According to legend, not far from Beirut, a snake lived in a lake that devoured people. To appease his anger, the locals gave their children to the monster to eat. The lot fell on the king's daughter. At that moment, when the girl was standing by the water, waiting for death, a rider on a white horse, George, appeared and struck the snake with a spear, thereby converting the local pagans to Christianity. It was this plot that became a symbol of the victory of good over evil and was reflected in the coat of arms of Moscow.
The second church celebration on May 6 is the day of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God (Goalkeeper). The history of this image began in the 9th century in Asia Minor, during the time of iconoclasm. The pious widow kept the icon of the Virgin, but when the soldiers came to destroy the image, she lowered the icon into the sea, and it floated away standing upright. Two centuries later, the monks of the Georgian Iveron monastery on Mount Athos saw a pillar of fire in the sea. At the behest of the Mother of God, who appeared to Elder Gabriel in a dream, the image was found and brought to the monastery.
The next morning, the icon miraculously appeared not in the temple, but above the gates of the monastery. The Mother of God said to the elder: "I do not want to be guarded by you, but I want to be your Guardian." Since then, the image has been called the "Gatekeeper" (Portaitissa), and it guards the entrance to the monastery. The celebration on May 6 in Russia is dedicated to the second discovery of the ancient miraculous list of this icon, which, after many years of atheism, was returned to the Novodevichy Monastery in Moscow in 2012.
Prayers on May 6th
Believers pray to St. George for protection from enemies, for the welfare of the army, as well as for the safety of livestock and a good harvest. In front of the Iveron icon, they pray for the protection of the house from fires and thieves, for solace in troubles and deliverance from adversity.
Prayer to the Great Martyr George the Victorious
"Holy, glorious and all-laudable Great Martyr George! As we gather in your temple and worship before your holy icon, we beseech you, our intercessor, to pray with us and for us, we beseech God from His benevolence, that He may graciously hear us who ask for His mercy, and not forsake all our petitions for salvation and a life in need, and grant our country victory in the resistance. And pack up, prostrate, we pray to you, holy victorious one.: Strengthen the Orthodox army with the grace given to you in battle, destroy the forces of the rising enemies, let them be ashamed and put to shame, and let their insolence be crushed, and let them lead us away, for we have Divine help, and show your mighty intercession to all who are in distress and distress. Beseech the Lord God, the Creator of all creatures, to deliver us from eternal torment, that we may glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and confess thy intercession now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Prayer to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God
"O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of the Lord, Queen of Heaven and earth! Listen to the painful sighing of our souls, and look down from Your holy height upon us who worship Your most pure image with faith and love. Behold, we are immersed in sins and overwhelmed with sorrows, looking at Your image, as You are alive with us, we offer our humble supplications. For the Imams have no other help, no other intercession, no consolation, for You, O Mother of all those who grieve and are burdened! Help us, the weak, assuage our sorrow, guide us on the right path, the erring, heal and save the hopeless, grant us to spend the rest of our lives in peace and silence, grant us a Christian end, and at the Last Judgment of Your Son, merciful Intercessor, may we always sing, magnify and glorify You, as a good Intercessor. the Christian family, with all those who pleased God. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told us what they pray to the Apostle Luke.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
