Folk signs for February 7: 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 Saturday, February 7, and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for February 7th

According to the national calendar, February 7 was St. Gregory's Day. The holiday followed Aksinya's Day, which was celebrated the day before, and was perceived as the beginning of preparations for a new cycle of life. Our ancestors believed that it was from this time that nature began to gradually turn to warmth, which meant it was not far from spring. The people talked about it.: "Aksinya is rushing Grigory to put the sun on the roofs and not miss the spring."

An important tradition on the holiday was to do some kind of good deed. But you weren't supposed to advertise your act. The peasants firmly believed that the Lord could see everything anyway, and stories about their virtues could deprive them of spiritual value. The day was also dedicated to strengthening family ties. The couple baked a pie together, and at sunset they divided it in half — this ritual symbolized unity and mutual support. Men also gave flowers to their wives and mothers so that peace and harmony would reign in the house.

According to the weather signs on Grigoriev Day, whatever the weather is before noon, it will be like this in the first half of next winter. And after lunch — in the second half of it. Other signs were also observed: if it was a clear sunny day on February 7, it indicated a late and cool summer, and if it was snowing, it indicated a long, lingering autumn.

Other signs of the day:

• stars twinkle brightly in the night sky — to severe frosts and blizzards;
• chickadees chirp loudly at the windows and stay closer to the dwelling — a sign of the coming warmth;
• Magpies sit on the lower branches of trees or hide under canopies — to the piercing wind.;
• The day is quiet and without strong wind, leading to stable weather in the coming months.;
• the ground was covered with soft fluffy snow — for a rich harvest of grain crops.

What not to do on February 7th

There were also many strict prohibitions associated with St. Gregory's Day, the violation of which, according to beliefs, could lead to family discord and other troubles. For example, angry wishes, quarrels, foul language, and even empty threats made in their hearts were prohibited. Our ancestors believed that the words spoken on February 7 had a special power and that all the bad things coming out of the mouth would surely return to the speaker.

Grigoriev Day: why you need to watch your words, prohibitions and omens on February 7

On this day, girls should show their gook to everyone who compliments them

What else can not be done on February 7:

• Coming home empty—handed is a possible need, you should have brought at least a loaf of bread.;
• I don't care about the ground, especially the road or the intersection — to the obstacles on the way of life;
• Complimenting girls and women can jinx their beauty.;
• telling anyone about your plans won't come true.

What is the church holiday on February 7th?

On February 7 (January 25, Old Style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of one of the three ecumenical teachers and hierarchs, Gregory the Theologian, a close friend and associate of Basil the Great. He was born in the 4th century into a Christian family in Cappadocia. Having received a brilliant education in the best schools in Athens and Alexandria, Gregory chose the path of serving God, accepting holy baptism at the age of 30.

In 372, Gregory was ordained bishop, and a few years later, as an experienced preacher and defender of the faith, he was called to Constantinople, where the Arian heresy was spreading at that time. With his fiery and wise sermons, he defended the Orthodox doctrine of the Holy Trinity, for which he received the nickname "The Theologian."

The saint left behind a rich collection of theological writings, poems and letters. His "Words" (sermons), autobiographical works "About my Life" and "About my Destiny" are the most valuable historical documents of that era and an unsurpassed example of Christian thought. Subsequently, many phrases from his works were included in liturgical texts.

On the same day, believers celebrate a holiday in honor of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Assuage my sorrows." The history of this image is inextricably linked with Moscow of the 17th century. The icon was brought to the capital by Cossacks and placed in the church of St. Nicholas in Zamoskvorechye. She gained special fame in 1771 during the plague epidemic in Moscow.

However, before that, the shrine had been in oblivion for a long time, ending up in the bell tower after one of the fires and the rebuilding of the temple. Her glorification took place in 1760 after a miraculous event. The Mother of God appeared to one seriously ill woman in a dream and ordered her to find an icon on the bell tower with the title "Assuage my sorrows." After a long search, the dusty image was found. After praying in front of him, the patient was completely healed. A celebration was established in memory of this miracle.

Kazan Icon of the Mother of God: the most powerful prayers

Prayers on February 7th

They pray to St. Gregory the Theologian, asking him to strengthen them in the Orthodox faith, to grant them wisdom and the ability to learn, and to protect them from error. They also pray to Him for the children's enlightenment and guidance on the right path. People come to the image of the Mother of God "Assuage my sorrows" with requests for solace in sorrows, healing of mental and physical ailments, resolving family conflicts and finding peace of mind in difficult life circumstances.

Prayer to Gregory the Theologian

"O great and wise master of all the hierarchs of the universe, Most Blessed Father Gregory! Great are your deeds and labors, which you have accomplished for the glory of the Holy Church: you were a firm confessor and a lamp of the faith of Christ on earth, illuminating true teachings with the light of God, spreading false teachings, and proclaiming the word of saving truth to the whole world. Now, great in heaven, have boldness to the Holy Trinity, help us, who humbly fall down to you, to firmly and invariably preserve the holy Orthodox faith until the end of our lives, and keep from lack of faith, doubts and hesitations in faith, so that we may not be seduced by God-defying and soul-destroying teachings of words. Amen to that."

Prayer in front of the icon "Assuage my sorrows"

"To the hope of all the ends of the earth, Most Pure Virgin, to the Lady Theotokos, my consolation! Do not abhor us sinners, for we trust in Your mercy, sprinkle our withered hearts with fire and repentance, cleanse our minds from sinful thoughts, accept the supplications offered to You from our hearts and souls with a sigh. Be an intercessor for us to Your Son and God, and avert His wrath with Your maternal prayers, heal the sores of your soul and body, Lady Lady, assuage the sickness of your soul and body, calm the storm of evil enemy attacks, take away the burden of our sins, and do not leave us to perish to the end, and comfort the sorrow of our broken hearts, yes We praise You until our last breath. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told us what Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg is praying for.

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