January 11 is Joseph the Betrothed Day. Rumor has it that evil spirits are hunting children

People noted that the period of the most severe frosts was coming. But every cloud has a silver lining: sub-zero temperatures allowed the peasants to relax a little and take a break from hard work in the fields. But, by the way, January 11 was often called a “terrible day.” It was rumored that evil spirits were raging today. They especially took care of children: they forbade children not to leave the house, they put dried thistle flowers in the cradle of the babies to scare away all sorts of uninvited guests from the other world. It was believed that iron objects (for example, a hammer, sickle) could also be used as a talisman. They were placed under the cradle at night. In addition, parents went to church to pray for their children.

In general, in the dark on January 11, people tried not to go out, but spent time telling fortunes and gatherings, telling each other stories, legends, and scary stories.

On this day the church honors the memory of 14 thousand murdered babies. This episode of New Testament history is described in the Gospel of Matthew. According to legend, the wise men who came to pay their respects to the newborn Jesus did not inform King Herod about the whereabouts of the baby. Herod was greatly angered by this, and he demanded that all the children in Bethlehem under the age of two be beaten.

Jesus was saved by fleeing to Egypt. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him and his family to leave the city. It is believed that the beating of infants took place according to God’s providence in order to reveal the king’s malice.

The Day of the Massacre of the Innocents is considered one of the most unfortunate days of the year. Lost children are venerated as saints as the first to suffer for the sake of Christ.

Signs of the day:

• The evil spirits are especially active on Joseph the Betrothed, and it is quite possible to see it with your own eyes.
• It was considered a good sign to light a fire in the yard on this day so that all troubles, illnesses and anxieties would burn out in the fire.
• A horse sleeps standing up — it’s cold. The horse lay down — it’s time for a thaw.
• A snowstorm on this day means a rainy, cloudy July.
• Snow is falling in large flakes — expect a thaw.
• Smoke in a column means cold weather. It spreads along the ground — it will rain or snow.
• The chickens roosted early, leading to the cold. If they climb high, the frosts will be severe and prolonged.
• The stars are bright and twinkling — to the cold weather.
• The windows are fogged up — it means there will be a thaw.
• The forest is noisy — a thaw.
• Low clouds mean severe cold.
• It’s warm on this day — spring will be early.
• Fortune telling about fate and future marriage was considered the most reliable on this day.
• If you hang your own comb in the barn that night, your groom will come, comb his hair with it and leave a couple of hairs of his own. The hair color of the future husband was determined from them.

Name days are celebrated today by: George, Evdokia, Natalya, Anna, Varvara, Veniamin, Thaddeus, Mark, Ivan.

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