Folk signs for November 14: 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 November 14 and the church holidays that are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for November 14th
In Russia, on November 14, Kuzminki autumn, or Kurya name day, was celebrated. By this time, the peasants had completed their basic field work, harvested their crops, and prepared for the cold weather. Therefore, in the national calendar, the day marked the farewell to autumn and the meeting of winter. People used to say, "Kuzminki is a wake for autumn."
In the old days, it was customary to arrange noisy gatherings on Kuzminki. Relatives and friends were given poultry, and chicken noodles, porridge and other chicken dishes were served on the table. Hence the second name of the holiday. It was believed that the richer and more diverse the food, the more successful the next year would be. The guys could also eat a rooster's heart to gain health and strength for the whole year.
Special attention was paid to the natural phenomena and behavior of chickens. If the chickens were laying especially amicably, it was considered a good sign. The ancestors believed that in this way the bird "shows" the favor of higher powers, and this promised the family health and well-being for the next year. But the unexpected behavior of poultry could be alarming.
Other signs of the day:
- warm weather leads to a mild and warm winter;
- the roads are soaked — there will be no severe frosts yet;
- The trees have preserved their foliage for the harsh winter.;
- It's snowing — the rivers will overflow their banks in the spring.
What not to do on November 14th
Not only festive customs were associated with autumn Kuzminki, but also certain prohibitions. Our ancestors believed that human behavior on this day could affect family well-being and prosperity in the home. Therefore, they avoided quarrels in every possible way, and also tried not to skimp on help and not to deny treats to travelers and the poor. Otherwise, according to beliefs, difficult times will come ahead.
What else can't be done on November 14th:
- offending poultry leads to losses in the household;
- sparing food for the common table leads to family strife;
- Spending a day alone can be boring.;
- to start big things, they were postponed until the morning.
What is the church holiday on November 14th?
On November 14, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Silverless Saints Cosmas and Damian of Asia, who were brothers and lived in Asia Minor no later than the fourth century. The brothers studied the art of medicine, the medicinal properties of herbs and plants. According to church tradition, God endowed them with the gift of healing, through which they helped people with a variety of ailments.
The saints never took money for treatment or accepted rewards. For this selfless service to the suffering, the Church honors them as silverless. In addition to people, Kosma and Damian treated domestic and wild animals, not denying help to a single living soul.
On this day, the memory of the holy Martyrs Alexander Smirnov and Theodore Lebedev is celebrated. They served in the neighboring churches of the village of Vyshegorod, Moscow province. In 1918, the priests were detained. They refused to renounce the Orthodox faith and were brutally murdered. The relics of the holy martyrs were found in 1985, and in 2000 they were canonized.
Prayers on November 14th
Believers turn to Cosmas and Damian with prayers for healing from diseases, strengthening their health and helping them treat their loved ones. They are also asked for the well-being of the family and support in difficult circumstances. The Holy Martyr Alexander Smirnov prays for strengthening faith, courage and perseverance in the face of trials, when he has to face injustice or defend his beliefs.
Prayer to the Wonderworkers Cosmas and Damian of Asia
"To you, Saints without silver and wonderworkers Cosmo and Damian, as to your speedy helper and warm prayer book for our salvation, we, the unworthy, bend the knee and cry out fervently: do not despise the supplications of us sinners, the weak, who have fallen into many iniquities and sin all days and hours. Beseech the Lord to grant us, His unworthy servant, His great and rich mercy; deliver us from all sorrow and sickness, for you have received from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the boundless grace of healing, for the sake of firm faith, free healing, and your martyrdom.
Hear us as we pray, and through your favorable intercession, ask Christ God for the Orthodox rulers of Russia to have health, prosperity, salvation, and victory and the blessing of God on their enemies. We earnestly pray that the Lord will grant us all that is beneficial in our temporal life, and above all, that we may serve eternal salvation, so that through your prayers we may achieve a Christian death, painless, shameless, peaceful, and may we be delivered from the machinations of the devil and eternal torment, and may we inherit the infinite and blessed Kingdom of Heaven.
O saints of God, do not stop praying for us who flow to you in faith, for we are worthy of your mercy because of the multitude of our sins, so that you may create a faithful imitation of God's love for mankind, so that we may bear fruits worthy of repentance and attain eternal rest, praising and blessing the wonderful Lord and God in Your saints. and our Saviour Jesus Christ and His Most Pure Mother, and your warm intercession always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Prayer to Alexander Smirnov and Feodor Lebedev
"Oh, Holy Hieromartyrs Alexander and Theodora! To you, as to the inexhaustible source of God's grace, we, the unworthy, resort. Be worthy of you, adamants of faith, who exist. You have also suffered terrible wounds and blasphemies from the wicked tormentors, and have received the assurance of a crown of martyrdom from the Lord through your patience, imitating the ancient martyr, and surprising the tormentors.
As pastors of God, you have zealously served in earthly churches and strengthened the people of God through your prayer, and you will also be women of prayer for us, standing now before the Throne of the Almighty. Having borne the burden and heat of the day, not only in word, but also in deed, a speedy witness to the Righteousness of God, confirm us also in the truth of Christ, who have borne neither the burden of reproach nor the heat of persecution, but may we, as hirelings of the one-day hour, who expect a pleasant reward from Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Ask God through your prayers, holy sufferers of Christ, for the strengthening of the Orthodox faith, sanctification by our thought, and prosperity in virtue; may He grant a gift that is beneficial to those who ask for your intercession, may He vouchsafe us to show this firmness of faith at the hour of our death, which He also grants you, so that we may be worthy with all the saints in the Kingdom of Heaven without shame Sing praises to His Most Holy Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the traditions and rituals of the feast of Spyridon and Nicodemus.
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