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- Mironov Day on August 30: ancient traditions, strict prohibitions and important folk signs
Mironov Day on August 30: ancient traditions, strict prohibitions and important folk signs
On August 30, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Myron of Cyzicus. This day is popularly known as Mironov Day, or Widow's Day, and is filled with many traditions and customs associated with the end of summer and preparations for a cold snap. On this day, people perform purification rituals and closely monitor the weather in order to predict the nature of the approaching autumn and winter. For more information about folk traditions and the meaning of Mironov's Day, see the Izvestia article.
The Story of Myron Kizichesky
The Holy Martyr Myron of Cyzicus lived in the third century in the Achaea region, in the territory of modern Greece, during the time of Emperor Decius (249-251 years). He came from a noble and respected family and served as a presbyter — priest of the local church. Myron was known for his meekness, mercy and love for people, while showing courage and steadfastness in defending his flock.
According to legend, in 250, on the feast of the Nativity of Christ, during a divine service, the local ruler Antipater and his soldiers burst into the temple, intending to capture Christians and torture them. Myron began to fervently intercede for the flock, accusing the ruler of cruelty. For this, he was hanged and whittled with iron combs. Then the martyr was thrown into a red-hot furnace, however, according to legend, the Lord preserved him unharmed, and the fire that burst out of the furnace scorched about 150 soldiers standing nearby.
The ruler tried to force Myron to worship idols, to which the saint firmly refused. Then Antipater ordered the straps to be cut from the martyr's skin, and the saint took one of the straps and threw it in the torturer's face, predicting his torment in hell. Enraged, the ruler began whittling the saint's wounded body with an iron and then gave him to the beasts, but the beasts did not touch the martyr. Defeated and discouraged, Antipater committed suicide.
Saint Myron was taken to the city of Cyzicus, where his head was cut off with a sword, thus putting an end to his martyrdom. In the Orthodox tradition, the memory of the holy martyr is honored on August 30 (according to the new style). Myron of Cyzicus is revered as a model of perseverance, faith, and intercession for others.
National holiday on August 30th
On August 30, the national calendar celebrates the Day of Myron, also known as Mironov Day, or Widow's Help. This holiday connects the memory of the holy Martyr Myron of Cyzicus with deeply rooted traditions and rituals associated with the final stage of summer and preparation for the autumn-winter period.
On this day, it is customary to show mercy and help those who find themselves in a difficult life situation: widows, orphans and disadvantaged families with no men. This custom symbolized caring for others and a sense of community.
During this period, many housewives cut out raspberry shoots and fertilized the soil to prepare the land for the next season. In addition, on August 30, peasants necessarily worked in the fields, chopping firewood and mowing hay, realizing that the well-being of the family in the upcoming cold months depends on these efforts.
Mironov Day was popularly associated with increased winds, which seemed to drive out the warm summer days, proclaiming the beginning of autumn changes. The leaves on the trees began to fall off, the air became cooler, and the beginning of a new life cycle was associated with such a transition.
The holiday was accompanied by prayers, songs and rituals designed to purify the house and soul, attract health and good luck. Folk traditions maintained not only a connection with nature, but also a sense of community and mutual assistance among people.
What can and cannot be done on Myron Memorial Day
On the memorial day of the holy Martyr Myron of Cyzicus, which is celebrated on August 30, there were special traditions and prohibitions, the observance of which helped to attract good luck and avoid trouble.
It was believed that one should not visit the cemetery on this day — the people believed that the deceased gathered together, and this could lead to unpleasant encounters with evil spirits. It was also not customary to look in the mirror for a long time on this day, as it was believed that in this way one could lose beauty and energy. It was forbidden to marry, because it was believed that a wedding on Myron's Day would lead to misfortune and tragedy.
One of the important rituals was the burning of old things — along with their smoke, diseases, sorrows and negativity went away, which symbolized purification and renewal. People took special care of children, pouring buckets of water over them to protect them from diseases during the cold season. At the same time, they wore light-colored clothes on this day to attract health, wealth and success into their lives.
On Mironov Day, it was customary to work, procure food and do household chores, since it was believed that the efforts made during this period would surely bear fruit. There were also warnings among the people about negative emotions. You couldn't get angry, quarrel, or offend others, otherwise Saint Myron could punish you with minor troubles.
Folk signs for Mironov Day
On the memorial day of the Holy Martyr Myron of Kizichy, folk signs helped predict the weather and harvest for the upcoming season. This day is associated with the strengthening of the winds, which gave the holiday an additional name — Miron-vetrogon.
It was believed that if dew covered the ground in the morning and fog swirled, the coming days would be warm and sunny. The red sky at sunrise warned of winds, and the scarlet sun at dawn warned that the wind would blow all day. If the sun sets behind a cloud, rains and inclement weather were expected in the near future. The morning frost foreshadowed a rich harvest next year, and the appearance of snakes foreshadowed the imminent frosts.
Special attention was paid to bird migrations: the last crane that flew away promised a cold winter for the Feast of the Intercession, and the booming and loud song of frogs meant the approach of heavy rains.
On this day, they tried to observe and change their behavior depending on the weather and natural phenomena. For example, if the wind was strong, it foreshadowed a bountiful harvest of mushrooms. A quiet, sunny day promised a clear and dry autumn, and the swirling dry grasses warned of impending storms. It was said that the north wind on this day promises an early cold snap with possible frosts in mid—September, and a clear and starry sky at night means a long period of Indian summer.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
