December 27 is Filimonov day. Echidnas, werewolves and devils… A “good” day, in short

CrimeaPRESS reports:

Another day was called Firs, the owner of Philemon, Philemon. People believed that the darkest days of the year were coming. Mysticism was also associated with this period — kikimoras and echidnas were born. They huddled against the windows and scratched at the doors. It was especially hard on negligent owners. In Rus’ they believed that it was around their huts that bats, werewolves and other evil spirits gathered. Werewolves were considered the most dangerous. All evil spirits and people involved in magic were endowed with the ability to turn into animals.

Among the rampant evil spirits on December 27, the devil himself could appear, turning into a ram, goat, sheep, horse, pig, dog, hare, wolf. Recently deceased people also walked the earth, if forty days had not yet passed since the date of death.

To ward off evil spirits, on this day it was necessary to wash more often, because these creatures were most afraid of water. Our ancestors believed that water was a magical cleanser. Without washing properly it was impossible to take a step out of the hut. It was believed that if you saddle a horse unwashed, it will definitely rub its back with the harness or carry it. They believed that the unwashed were killed by lightning, since it was they who were being watched by the prophet Elijah from his fiery chariot. According to popular belief, no business could end happily if it began without sprinkling the person with a few drops of water.

On December 27, the Church honors the memory of the holy martyrs Apollonius, Philemon, Theotichos, and Arian, who suffered in Egypt for their faith in Christ during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, who was famous for the numerous persecutions organized against supporters of Christian teaching. Apollonius, fearing suffering and persecution, asked the pagan Philemon to dress in his clothes and sacrifice to idols. However, Philemon himself declared that he believed in Christ. Apollonius after this repented and no longer began to hide. As a result, both Apollonius and Philemon were arrested and executed after numerous tortures. The pagan Arian took part in the torture, but he himself soon repented and was baptized with his bodyguards, the eldest of whom was Theotikh. All of them were put to death by the pagans, who accused the preachers of apostasy.

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