A special holiday on December 15 is Avvakum Day: history, traditions, omens

Orthodox Christians remember the Prophet Habakkuk on December 15. In the folk tradition, the saint's memorial day was called "Avvakum Day." The holiday was associated with household chores and rituals to protect the home from evil spirits. It was believed that shortly before the winter solstice, the line between the worlds was blurred, because the observance of customs was especially important. Izvestia tells about the main signs and prohibitions of this day.

What is the church holiday on December 15th?

The Holy Prophet Habakkuk is the eighth of the 12 minor prophets of the Old Testament. He lived six centuries before the Birth of Christ and was a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah. There is little reliable biographical information about him, but there is a well-known church tradition about the miracle associated with him.

After the fall of Jerusalem, the Jews were subjected to Babylonian captivity. When Habakkuk was carrying food to the reapers, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him and took him to Babylon to the prison where the prophet Daniel was languishing. Habakkuk fed him, then the Angel brought the prophet back in the blink of an eye. Later, Avvakum returned to his homeland and lived as a farmer until his death.

The saint owns a prophetic book, which became part of the Old Testament. It consists of three chapters, it contains denunciations of the lawlessness that Habakkuk witnessed, and conversations-reflections with God. It was Habakkuk who wrote the famous words "the righteous shall live by his faith," which have become an important rule of life for Christians.

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Traditions of the national holiday Avvakum Day on December 15th

In Russia, the memory of the prophet Habakkuk is closely intertwined with ancient beliefs. Our ancestors believed that at this time, when the shortest days of the year come, evil spirits become active. It was believed that it was at this time that moths were especially active — evil spirits in female form that frighten children at night.

To protect babies from evil spirits, mothers performed a special ceremony. The child was washed with holy water and special spells were pronounced. Sometimes an amulet was placed under the pillow or a doll was placed on the window, which was supposed to attract the attention of the moths and keep them away from the baby.

According to custom, the day was devoted to household chores and minor chores. With the onset of cold weather and short daylight hours, they once again tried not to leave the house. The women spent their time doing needlework, and in the evenings the peasants gathered in a family circle, whiling away the time with conversations.

As on other church holidays, it was supposed to give alms and help those in need. The poor were given old things and provided all possible assistance. In the old days, it was believed that any good deed done on the Day of Habakkuk would return a hundredfold.

What not to do on December 15 on Habakkuk Day

The national calendar gave December 15 a mystical status, when the invisible world was getting closer and careless actions could bring disaster. It was believed that violating the rules on this day could anger a brownie, attract the attention of evil spirits, or deprive it of well-being. They were especially afraid of actions that could "open" the house to negative influences or cause a "drain" of family happiness. Based on this, it was forbidden to talk loudly, make noise and leave the front door open.

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What else can't be done on December 15th:

• picking up objects found on the ground — this way you can take on someone else's trouble or illness.;
• sewing up holes and darning old clothes promises losses and financial problems.;
• swearing, quarreling and swearing — negative energy will affect relationships with loved ones.;
• to refuse alms to those in need leads to the loss of one's own well—being;
• washing the hair of pregnant women is believed to complicate pregnancy and childbirth.

Folk signs for December 15th

Observing nature on Habakkuk's Day made it possible to make forecasts both for the next day and for the whole winter. For example, a loudly singing rooster was a sure sign of an imminent warming. And if the moon was "like in a fog" on the night of December 15, then a heavy snowstorm was expected.

Other signs of the day:

• it started raining — the inclement, wet weather will last until the end of January;
• a lot of snow has fallen — next year there will be a good haymaking;
• the goose hides its head under its wing — to a sharp cold snap;
• chickens go to roost early — in case of severe frosts;
• the cat sleeps all day, curled up in a ball, facing the cold.

Earlier, Izvestia told about the traditions and signs of the national holiday St. Andrew's Day.

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