CrimeaPRESS reports:
This day was also popularly called Mikola the Wonderworker, Cold Nicholas, Nikola the Wonderworker, Winter Nicholas, Misha’s Day.
Saint Nicholas is the most beloved and revered saint among the people. Not only in Rus’, but also in many countries of the world, he is considered the second protector of people after God, the patron of agriculture and cattle breeding, the owner of the earth’s waters, the savior of all those traveling on land and sea. The legends about his life describe many miracles that he performed for the benefit of people, so it is not without reason that the saint is called St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and remembering his special favor to those who were caught in misfortune during a sea voyage, they are also called St. Nicholas the Wet.
Nicholas the Wonderworker is glorified twice a year for his miraculous deeds. The first time was on May 22, the day of the transfer of the relics of Nicholas from the city of Mira to the city of Bar. This Nikola is called spring, warm and herbal. And on December 19 — the day of the saint’s death — Orthodox Christians celebrate St. Nicholas of the winter, cold.
Who is Saint Nicholas? It is known that he lived around the 3rd century on the territory of the Greek colony of Patara in Asia Minor. From childhood I was imbued with Christianity and almost immediately decided that I would serve God. For days on end, Nikolai spent himself in church, praying, reading the Holy Scriptures. Nicholas’s uncle, the Bishop of Patara, noted the zeal of his nephew and ordered him to be made a reader, after which he elevated him to the rank of priest. Nikolai’s parents died, and he decided to distribute all his inheritance to the poor. Much later, Nicholas became a bishop in the territory of the city of Mira (now Georgia). Since Nicholas was a clear opponent of paganism and a zealous Christian. The saint was popularly considered the main assistant for those convicted of imperfect acts. Nicholas is also the patron saint of merchants, children and sailors. Farmers often prayed to him to get a good harvest. It is interesting that it was Nicholas’s day that was often considered the deadline for carrying out any transaction. Thus, prices were set for the next period of time, brotherhoods, etc.
On Winter St. Nicholas in Rus’, a global sale of bread was held. Everywhere there were noisy fairs and bazaars, where the same price was set for grain and flour. No one was afraid of becoming a victim of deception, because Saint Nicholas himself kept a vigilant eye on the scammers.
The saint also patronized marriages, so after the wedding agreement they said a prayer to him so that he would protect the future of the young from misfortunes.
The saint’s participation in human life did not end there: in addition to bringing the young together, he also accompanied the dead on their final journey. Unlike ancient Greek mythology with their rivers (Styx and Lethe), which separated the world of the living from the dead, the Slavic transition was fiery.
Our ancestors also believed that Saint Nicholas, in the form of a gray-haired old man, walks the streets on this day and performs miracles. Also, on the morning of December 19, children hurried to look under the pillow — Nikolai gave sweets to those who behaved well. Therefore, in popular culture the image of Santa Claus was assigned to him.
Signs of the day:
- Frost has appeared — next year it will be possible to reap a rich harvest.
- What is the weather like on St. Nicholas the Winter, this will be the day of St. Nicholas the Spring (May 22).
- A frosty and sunny day is a sign that there will be a crop failure next year.
- If a person was born on December 19, then he should wear lapis lazuli or rhodonite as a talisman.
- If the snow is swept away from the road before St. Nicholas Day, then they will not stand. Clear and cold weather — there will be a rich harvest in the summer.
- As much snow as there is on Nikola, there will be as much grass in the spring.
Name days are celebrated today: Maxim, Nikolai.
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