CrimeaPRESS reports:
Alas and ah, but November 17 was popularly considered an unlucky day. We tried not to leave the house unless absolutely necessary and not to start any business. People said that on this day the spirits go free and try to enter the hut to take coal from the stove, and at the same time take away the happiness and well-being of the family. Our ancestors, by the way, believed that evil spirits, trying to achieve their goal, turned into familiar people, so they did not give fire to anyone on this day, even if neighbors came for it.
And, once in a human home, evil spirits could cause mischief: break dishes, quarrel among family members, or start a fire. Empty houses or huts in which the doors are not closed are especially attractive to spirits. Therefore, peasants usually locked their doors on November 17 and did not invite even their closest relatives to visit. At the same time, a large number of different rituals were performed, designed to protect against otherworldly forces.
On November 17, the church honors the memory of Presbyter Ermey and Bishop Nikander of Mir. Both martyrs, according to legend, were disciples of Saint Titus, who, in turn, was a follower of the Apostle Paul. Nikander and Ermey became famous for being actively involved in preaching and disseminating Christian teachings; they managed to convert many pagans to their faith. However, the rulers learned about the activities of Ermey and Nikander, after which they arrested them and demanded that they renounce their faith in favor of paganism. The preachers refused this, for which they were subjected to numerous tortures.
Signs of the day:
- The forest in the distance turned black — a thaw.
- There are white circles around the sun — a snow storm.
- On Eremin’s Day, you cannot take anything out of the house, not even the smallest coal. The same applies to money — you are not supposed to lend money on this day, so as not to give your happiness into the wrong hands.
- To prevent evil spirits from entering the house, on the eve of Eremin’s Day, crosses should be drawn with chalk above the windows and doors.
- For the same purposes, on November 17, bunches of rowan berries were scattered on the windowsill.
- A horseshoe and a snake’s crawl (the skin that these reptiles shed during molting) also served as amulets for the house.
- You should not play weddings, go to court, make deals, or meet new people on this day, otherwise these matters will not bring any benefit.
- If a woman suffers from her husband’s infidelity or drunkenness, she must at all costs keep him with his family on this day — then he will forget his previous life and will be tied to home.
Name days are celebrated today by: Alexander, Nikolay, Evgenia, Ilya, Stepan, Ivan, Porfiry.
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