Every year on October 14, all Orthodox Christians celebrate a great holiday – the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, who appeared to blessed Andrew. It is believed that if on this day you turn to the Heavenly Queen with prayer and ask her for well-being, family happiness, health, then she will certainly protect a person under her cover for a whole year. There are also signs for Pokrov, with the help of which you can learn a lot about the coming year.
Folk customs for the feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos
On this holiday in the morning it is customary to go to church for the morning service. And in the evening, as a rule, lush feasts are arranged so that the whole year is the same happy and cheerful. By the way, the more tasty treats there are on the table, the happier and warmer the winter will be. You can visit or invite friends and family.
Drinking alcohol is not recommended, because it is still a holy day. You should also not swear and argue in order to receive the blessing of the Mother of God for the entire coming year. On the day of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to custom, housewives bake pancakes and put them in the corners of the house to appease the brownie and keep the hut warm.
Signs on the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos
It is believed that October 14 is a great holiday, so doing household chores such as sewing, cleaning, washing, and even cooking for the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos is a bad omen. It is also prohibited to lend or borrow money. On this day, it is imperative to pour holy water over the children through a sieve on the doorstep of the house in order to protect them from various ailments.
Popular signs on the Pokrov say that every unmarried girl can speed up her marriage by performing simple, but effective rituals.
- On the Intercession Day, from the very morning, you need to light a candle at the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos for the health of your betrothed and all men, saying 'Intercession-Mother, cover the earth with snow, and a young handkerchief for me.'
- Prepare something yourself, better pastries, and treat friends, loved ones, as well as feed animals and birds.
- Braid in the morning a braid, cover your head with a scarf or scarf, put on a skirt or dress.
- A good omen for October 14 will be to give alms to those in need, while thinking about your betrothed.
- Do not forget to also congratulate all married couples on this holiday.
Signs associated with the weather
Most often, signs on Pokrov portend what the weather will be like not only in winter, but throughout the year.
- If storks fly south on this day, then in winter there will be a lot of snow and very cold. The wind from the east also portends this.
- The first snow fell before the Intercession – winter will not come soon, but if it did not fall on that day, it will not snow until December.
- Rain on Pokrov is a good omen, heralds a good harvest of honey in the coming year.
This is how the weather for the coming winter is determined on October 14.
Wedding signs on Pokrov
Not only October 14, but the whole month is considered very favorable for weddings. The marriage concluded on this day will be happy, long and strong, because the family will be under the protection of the Most Holy Theotokos according to the signs.
Much depends on the weather on October 14th.
- If it rains, then the Lord is blessing a new union.
- Sunny and warm – family relationships will develop very easily and carefree.
- Frost has hit – the young will face trials in the future, but they will easily overcome them and will live happily.
People believe that the Mother of God will protect those who decide to marry on the Pokrov all her life, so if you have planned a wedding in October, we advise you to play it on that day.
Holiday divination for the Pokrov
Fortune telling on the Veil is considered the most accurate and powerful. Therefore, since ancient times, girls have tried to spend this day cheerfully, making various fortune-telling about the groom and future family life.
Be sure to go to church and light a candle at the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos on October 14. So you can see your betrothed at night. And the girl who lights the candle first will get married faster than her friends. You can also guess on a candle flame. If it is quiet, family life will be calm and measured, stronger – life is more fun.
On Pokrov, you can find out which of the friends will marry earlier. To do this, each one needs to cut off the threads, which must be exactly the same length and set on fire. Whoever burns out first – she will marry faster, and whoever goes out – she will not marry.
There is a strong prayer to the Theotokos about marriage, which will help the girl find her betrothed faster. In the evening, in front of the image of the Virgin Mary, you need to say the prayer three times: 'Holy Mother, Pokrovushka, cover my little head. Not a path, not a flower, but an honest veil. At least with a rag, but so that I do not remain a girl. ' After that, cover the icon with an embroidered towel.
This holiday is very unusual, because on this day great miracles happen. Be sure to go to church and have fun so that the whole year will pass easily and happily.
