Folk signs for November 15: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, every day of the national calendar was associated with certain customs and beliefs. According to them, the peasants determined how to save the harvest, prepare the farm for the cold and avoid trouble. Special attention was paid to the signs that helped predict the weather for the coming months. Izvestia tells us what traditions existed on November 15, what our ancestors tried to avoid, and what church holidays are celebrated on this date.
Folk signs for November 15th
In the national calendar, November 15 was called the day of Akindin and Pigasia, or Granaries. At that time, the condition of barns and other outbuildings where grain was stored was especially closely monitored. The people used to say: "Akindin kindles the fire, and Pigasy extinguishes the sun." This saying reminded of the shortening of daylight hours and the need to finish drying grain before the cold weather.
The grain was dried in special ovine structures, where a fire was lit on the lower tier, and the harvest was laid out on top. The work required caution, as even a small spark could cause a fire and destroy supplies. The peasants believed that the guardian spirits of the house could protect them from trouble. Bread, some cereals or honey were left for them in secluded places.
On the day, Akindin and Pigasia closely monitored the weather. The snowfall was considered a harbinger of a strong spring flood, and mud on the roads was a sign of prolonged heat. According to popular observations, the mild weather could last until the beginning of December. A strong wind in the morning, on the contrary, promised prolonged cold weather in the coming weeks.
Other signs of the day:
- Bullfinches are singing — severe frosts are coming soon;
- a lot of jackdaws and chickadees appeared in the yard — for the snowfall;
- the sky is covered with clouds — to warming;
- clouds are moving against the wind — towards a snowstorm.
What not to do on November 15th
Certain prohibitions were also associated with Akindin's Day, designed to protect people from diseases, money losses and family conflicts. Reconciliation was given special importance. It was believed that a grudge left until the evening would soon turn into new quarrels. It was also not recommended to show aggression, gossip and spread other people's secrets.
What else can't be done on November 15th:
- transferring money from hand to hand leads to debts and financial problems;
- drinking alcohol and sweets leads to illness and malaise;
- Buying cheap things leads to disappointment and unpleasant events;
- to engage in communication with ill—wishers leads to an aggravation of hostility.
What is the church holiday on November 15th?
On November 15, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the holy martyrs Akindin, Pigasy and other Christians who suffered for their faith in the fourth century. The story of their feat is connected with the reign of the Persian king Sapor II, known for the persecution of the followers of Christ. Akindin and Pigasy held a high position at court, but secretly professed Christianity.
The ill-wishers denounced the courtiers to the ruler, after which the saints were brought to trial. They were forced to renounce Christianity, but they remained adamant. For this, the ruler ordered them to be brutally tortured. When this did not help, he ordered the execution of the martyrs, and with them all those who believed in Christ. At his command, about 7 thousand people died.
On the same day, a celebration was established in honor of the Shuisko-Smolenskaya Icon of the Mother of God. The history of the image began in 1654 in the city of Shuya, where the plague epidemic was raging. The residents, hoping for the help of the Mother of God, ordered a list of the Smolensk icon from a local icon painter and delivered it to the temple. After that, the epidemic stopped, and healings began to take place in front of the icon, thanks to which it became known as miraculous.
Prayers on November 15th
On the memorial day of Akindin and Pigasy, Orthodox Christians pray to the holy martyrs for intercession before God, healing from illnesses and protection from enemies. In front of the Shuisko-Smolenskaya Icon of the Mother of God, believers ask the Mother of God for protection during epidemics and natural disasters, reconciliation of loved ones, the birth of healthy children and family well-being.
Prayer to the Holy Martyrs Akindin and Pigasy
"Holy Martyrs Akindine, Pigasia, Elpidiphora, Affonius and Anempodiste! Look down from the heavenly palace on those who require your help and do not reject our petitions; but as our eternal benefactors and intercessors, pray to Christ God, that He who loves mankind and has much mercy, may preserve us from every cruel situation: from cowardice, flood, fire, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare. May He not condemn us sinners according to our iniquities, and may we not turn the good things bestowed upon us by the all-merciful God to evil, but to the glory of His holy name and to the glorification of your mighty intercession. Through your prayers, may the Lord grant us peace of mind, abstinence from harmful passions and from all defilement; and may He strengthen throughout the world His one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, which He has acquired through His honest blood. Praying diligently, holy martyrs, may Christ God establish in His Holiest Orthodox Church the living spirit of right faith and piety; may all its members, pure from superstition and superstition, worship Him in spirit and truth and diligently take care of the observance of His commandments; may we all live in peace and piety in the present and attain bliss eternal life in heaven, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom belong all glory, honor, and power, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Prayer before the Shuisk Icon of the Mother of God
"To my most gracious Queen, my hope, Theotokos, friend of the wise and strange intercessor, joy of the sorrowful, patroness of the offended! See my trouble, see my sorrow, help me because I am weak, feed me because I am strange. Weigh my offense, resolve it, for you will: For I am the Imam of no other help to You, no other intercessor, no other kind comforter, but to You, O Mother of God, may You preserve me and cover me forever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the traditions and rituals of the feast of Spyridon and Nicodemus.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
