CrimeaPRESS reports:
And December 24 in Rus’ was called Nikon, the Day of Danila and Luke. On this day, our ancestors glorified the Sun by lighting large bonfires everywhere. They believed that until the sun descended on the golden stairs to the ground, witches with brooms were flying and raising snow whirlwinds.
In the flying snow and gusts of wind, in a strong, swift whirlwind, our ancestors saw a demon, a living creature trying to warm itself at the hearth. In order not to let him into the house, it was necessary to place the ax at the threshold with the tip facing the door. In addition, on December 24, it was necessary to pray to Saint Nikon so that he would calm the soul and drive away the evil spirits trying to get into the house from the whirlwinds of the blizzard. But sometimes such creatures were used for the benefit of man. For example, in order to cure a fever, early in the morning, when everyone was still sleeping, they raked the ashes out of the stove and went out into the street, stood with their backs to the wind at the crossroads and said the cherished words. It was believed that winds and whirlwinds would carry the disease with them.
Who is Nikon? The Monk Nikon of Pechersk was widely known as a monk of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. He was born in the 11th century into a wealthy family. In 1096, Polovtsian troops attacked the Kyiv lands, after which Nikon was captured along with the Monk Eustratius and other monks. He lived in captivity for about three years and all this time humbly endured hunger and deprivation. At the same time, Nikon’s owner cut his veins so that he could not escape. However, at some point Nikon simply disappeared before the eyes of the guards. After concluding a peace treaty with the Polovtsians, Nikon’s former owner, visiting the Pechersk Monastery, saw Nikon in front of him. He was so amazed that he was immediately baptized and remained in the monastery to serve Nikon.
Signs of the day:
- If a person was born on December 24, then his talisman is jade or opal.
- The sun is visible in the sky with reflections on the sides — there will be frosts.
- The sun’s rays go up — this portends a cold.
- If they go down, there will be a snowstorm.
- The pots are boiling over the edge — the weather will be cloudy.
- By evening, flocks of crows fly from place to place and do not find a place to stay for the night — expect a storm.
- Several squirrels gather in one hollow — there will be severe frosts.
Name days are celebrated today by: Peter, Terenty, Ivan, Vikenty, Nikolai, Daniil, Leonty, Emelyan.
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