Folk signs for December 22: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, signs and beliefs were given special importance. They were used to determine when to prepare for winter, arrange festivities, play weddings and renovate the house. Every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the signs for December 22 and the church holidays that fall on this date.
Folk signs for December 22, 2025
In Russia, Anna the Dark Day was celebrated on December 22. The holiday fell on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. It was believed that at this time, winter declares itself with severe frosts and darkness, marking the imminent transition to a new natural cycle. This day was of particular importance for beekeepers, who visited winter gardens with beehives, read spells about the health of bees and the future of good honey.
The holiday was also called Conception Day and was dedicated to caring for women. Pregnant women were treated with great care: they were not allowed to leave the house, do needlework, pick up sharp objects and even light a fire. There was a belief that a fire lit on this day by a woman could leave a mark on the child's body, and tangled threads during sewing could twist the umbilical cord.
The ancestors paid attention to various signs about Anna the Dark. If frost shone on the trees on December 22, they understood that next year would be fruitful.
Other signs of the day:
- It's snowing — for a rainy and slushy spring;
- severe frost leads to cloudless weather in the coming week;
- bright sun — for rapid warming;
- the snow lies close to the hedge — to the lean summer;
- the snow lies with a gap — the year will be fruitful.
What not to do on December 22
Anna Dark Day was associated with strict prohibitions, many of which were aimed at protecting the health and well-being of women, especially those expecting a child. Expectant mothers should not walk with their hair down — according to beliefs, evil spirits could settle in them.
What else can not be done on December 22
- women eating fatty foods leads to difficult labor;
- doing needlework, washing and cleaning — such work can bring illness and trouble to the whole family.;
- walking after sunset leads to problems in family life;
- going to the forest — you can meet wolves;
- dropping sharp objects can lead to problems in your personal life.
What is the church holiday on December 22
On December 22, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Righteous Anna. According to legend, the parents of the Virgin Mary, the righteous Joachim and Anna, had no children for many years, which at that time was considered a great misfortune and a sign of God's wrath. One day, during the annual feast, the high priest rejected Joachim's sacrifice as unclean. Deeply saddened, the saint retired to the desert for forty days of fasting and prayer.
Righteous Anna stayed at home and, considering herself the culprit of family grief, fervently prayed to God. One day, walking in the garden, she saw a nest with chicks and again tearfully asked for a child, promising to dedicate the child to the Lord. At that moment, an Angel appeared to her, announcing that she would give birth to a daughter, through whom the entire human race would receive a blessing. Joachim received the same message in the desert.
The couple met in Jerusalem, and on the appointed date, the Virgin Mary was born. At the age of three, the parents, observing their vow, handed the girl over to the Jerusalem temple for upbringing, where she remained until adulthood.
Prayers for December 22
On December 22, Orthodox believers pray to the righteous Joachim and Anna, who are revered as patrons of family and marriage. They are often approached by people who dream of having a child and strengthening family ties. They are also asked for help in raising children, healing from serious illnesses and helping in difficult life situations.
Prayer to the Righteous Joachim and Anna
"O ever-glorious righteous women of Christ, the holy forefathers Joachim and Anna, who stand before the Heavenly Throne of the Great King and have great boldness towards Him, as He has deigned to be incarnate from your Most Blessed Daughter, the Most Pure Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary!
To you, as a powerful intercessor and a fervent prayerbook for us, we seek refuge, sinners and unworthiness. Pray to His goodness, that He may turn away His wrath from us, which is justly directed against us by our deeds, and that our innumerable transgressions may be despised, that he may turn us to the path of repentance, and that He may establish us in the paths of His commandments. Also, through your prayers, preserve our lives in the world, and ask for good haste in all good things, giving us everything we need from God for life and piety, delivering us from all misfortunes and troubles and sudden deaths through your intercession, and protecting us from all enemies visible and invisible, so that we may live a quiet and silent life in all piety. Having passed away this life, which is both pure and temporary in the world, we will attain eternal peace, so that by your holy supplication we may be worthy of the heavenly Kingdom of Christ our God, Who, with the Father and the Most Holy Spirit, deserves all glory, honor and worship forever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer to the Righteous Anna for the gift of children
"Woe is me, Lord! Who will I become like? Neither to the birds of the sky, nor to the beasts of the earth: for they also bring their fruit to You, O Lord God, but I alone am barren. Alas for me, Lord! I am alone, sinful, bereft of offspring. You, who once gave Sarah a son, Isaac, in her old age. You who opened the womb of Anna, the mother of Your prophet Samuel, look upon me now and hear my prayers. Put an end to the sorrow of my heart and open my womb, and make me fruitful, barren, so that we may bring what I have given birth to You as a gift, blessing, singing and glorifying Your mercy."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs of the national holiday of St. Nicholas the Winter.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
