Folk signs for June 10: 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 June 10 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for June 10

In Russia, Nikita Gusyatnik Day was celebrated on June 10. The name was assigned to this holiday for a reason. It was during this period that peasants began to actively prepare goose feathers for feather beds and pillows, and also closely monitored the behavior of waterfowl in order to predict the weather for the coming months.

From early morning, the housewives drove the bird out to graze, pronouncing special spells so that the geese would be well-fed, healthy and not stray from the herd. Special attention was paid to the first goslings hatched this year. The men checked and repaired the goose coops, as well as wove boxes and baskets from vines, as it was believed that the thing made on June 10 would last a long time.

After lunch, the neighbors were treated to goose meat pies or biscuits in the shape of geese — this ceremony was called "cajoling the goose coop." He had to ensure the well-being of the family.

Natural signs on Nikita Gusyatnik were of great importance for planning field work. For example, our ancestors believed that geese splash in the water and cackle restlessly — it's going to rain soon, and if a bird hides its head under its wing, then a cold snap is coming.

Other signs of the day:

• Fog spreads over the ground at dawn — a thunderstorm will break out in the afternoon;
• mosquitoes and midges are swarming in a column — for warmth in the coming week;
• spiders actively weave webs — for sustained heat;
• the geese began to molt ahead of time — the grain harvest will be scarce.

What not to do on June 10

On Nikita the Goose Day, our ancestors tried to avoid certain actions so as not to bring trouble to the house and poultry. It was considered a great sin to beat geese or swear near the poultry house — the belief was that after that all the birds in the area would stop laying.

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What else can not be done on June 10:

• throwing old feathers and fluff outside can lead to bird diseases;
• to lend bread and salt — along with them, prosperity will leave the house.;
• cutting hair and nails leads to short memory and forgetfulness;
• to deny a traveler an overnight stay is to lose luck for a long time.

What is the church holiday on June 10th?

On June 10 (May 28, Old style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Nikita the Confessor, who lived in the VIII–IX centuries. He was elevated to the rank of Bishop of Chalcedon for his godly life and ascetic exploits. The saint became famous for his extraordinary mercy. Wanderers, orphans and widows always found shelter in his house, and beggars received generous alms.

The main challenge for him was the era of iconoclasm under Emperor Leo the Armenian. At that time, many priests hid holy images, but Bishop Nikita courageously defended icon worship. He openly denounced heresy and strengthened the flock in the true faith.

For his firmness, the saint suffered severe torments and was sent into distant exile, where he died at the beginning of the 9th century. But even in exile, he did not stop praying and supporting other confessors. After his death, numerous healings began to be performed at the relics of the saint.

On the same date, St. Gerontius, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, who lived in the XV century, is remembered. It was he who blessed Grand Duke Ivan III for the famous stand on the Ugra River in 1480, which put an end to the Mongol-Tatar yoke. During his reign, church construction was also actively expanded and the construction of the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin was completed.

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Prayers on June 10th

In front of the icon of Nikita the Confessor, they pray for protection from unfair accusations and persecution, for the gift of firmness in faith, and for the healing of mental and physical ailments. They pray to Saint Gerontius for peace in the family and the state, for the gift of wise rulers and the cessation of internecine wars. In addition, he is considered the patron saint of builders and restorers of temples.

Prayer to Nikita the Confessor

"O holy head, Venerable Father, Most Blessed Abbot Nikita, do not forget your poor ones to the end, but always remember us in holy and auspicious prayers to God. <...> Do not be silent for us to the Lord, and do not despise us who honor you with faith and love: remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God, for you have been given the grace to pray for us. <...> Do not depart from us in spirit, keeping us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of demons and the machinations of the devil, our good shepherd. <...> We bow down to you and pray to you: pray to Almighty God for us, for the benefit of our souls, and grant us time for repentance, so that we may pass from earth to heaven unchallenged May we be delivered from bitter ordeals, from the demons of the princes of the air, and from eternal torment, and may we be heirs of the heavenly kingdom with all the righteous who have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ from the beginning.: To Him belongs all glory, honor, and worship, together with His Beginningless Father, and with His All-holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Prayer to Metropolitan Gerontius

"O most honorable and holy head and full of the grace of the Holy Spirit, dwelling of the Savior with the Father, great bishop, our warm intercessor, to Saint Gerontius, standing at the Throne of all Kings and enjoying the light of the consubstantial Trinity and cherubic angels, proclaiming the trisagion hymn, <...> pray for the salvation of the flock of Christ by the people, confirm the well-being of the holy churches: <...> preserve the reigning city and all cities and countries kindly, and keep the holy immaculate faith, through your intercession keep the whole world quiet, deliver us from gladness and perdition, and preserve us from the attacks of strangers, comfort the old, guide the young, be wise, have mercy on widows, intercede for orphans, raise up infants, return captives, infirm And when we pray to you, set us free from all misfortunes and troubles through your intercession: pray for us to the All-merciful and Loving Christ our God, that on the day of His Terrible Coming He may deliver us from our evil standing, and grant us the joys of the saints to share with all the saints forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the folk and church traditions of the Feodor Domovnitsa holiday.