The Orthodox Church calls November 14 the day of Kuzma and Demyan. These are two brothers who have been called holy unmercenaries. Popular rumor says that they were orphaned early and came under the care of the mother of St. Theodotia.
Over time, the brothers mastered the science of medicine and healed the sick and infirm. They did not take a reward for their work, and for this the Lord endowed them with the strongest gift of healing, and the people called them unmercenaries.
Signs
Folk omens on November 14 make it clear what to expect from the weather in the future. On this day, customs are observed that help to find happiness, good luck and fill the house with joy.
Signs on November 14 are associated with a change in weather conditions:
- If it is warm on November 14, the same warm winter is expected.
- According to the signs, if not all the trees have dropped their foliage, a harsh and frosty winter is ahead. And also there will be a good harvest.
- If there is a lot of snow, the omens promise a spring flood.
- If there is a slight frost on November 14, winter will come later than usual.
- If the roads are dirty, expect real frosts only by the middle of winter.
- According to popular beliefs, if it is warm outside, then real winter will come to the last decade of December.
- If the river is frozen, frosts will last until spring.
- When giving alms to a beggar on November 14, do not look into his eyes – otherwise, the omen promises poverty.
- If you have unusual or strange thoughts – expect good changes.
- Sleep, on the night of the autumn kuzminki, is considered prophetic.
- Do not pour the water in which the newborn was bathed or washed outside, otherwise the baby will suffer from insomnia.
- If you hear a cat meowing, the omen promises bad luck. How pets predict the weather was told here.
Customs
For November 14, there are several names among the people: Chicken coop, Demyan kuryachiy, Kuzma and Demyan's day, autumn kuzminki.
Domestic bird
The names Chicken Coop and Demyan Chicken are associated with poultry. According to custom, on this day, chickens were placed in warm places in the barn. They also identified weakened individuals, which were cut shortly.
Starting November 14, the poultry was cooked every day for a week. This custom helps to attract happiness and good luck to the house. In order for the chickens to continue to breed, the treat must be eaten.
It is important to offer chicken meat to children – then they will not get sick throughout the year.
Another ritual is associated with poultry, called chicken name days. On November 14, wealthy people send several chickens to their poor relatives as a gift.
The peasant women also gave the boyars poultry, for which they gave beautiful ribbons in return. The presented chickens were well fed and their health was constantly monitored. It is important that the bird does not get sick and does not die – then, according to legend, the eggs laid by it will be curative.
blacksmith craft
In some regions, Kuzma and Demyan were considered the patrons of blacksmithing. On November 14, representatives of this profession were honored. In the eyes of the people, the blacksmiths possessed remarkable power.
Since blacksmiths worked on the outskirts of villages, it was believed that they have a connection with the other world. However, such a statement has another explanation – the blacksmith works with fire and in order not to start a fire, he must stay away from houses. Since Kuzma and Demyan are patrons of blacksmiths, the representatives of these crafts did not work on November 14. Labor on this day is considered a great sin.
Brownie
On November 14, it is customary to honor the brownie. For this, porridge is prepared from millet and placed in several places around the house. If the brownie is not appeased, then because of his dirty tricks, pets, livestock may die or household utensils will deteriorate.
Moreover, if the owners did not have time or simply forgot about the treat, then in order to prevent troubles, they put a broom in the corner, soiled in tar. People believed that the brownie would be smeared and calm down.
Wedding November 14
November 14 coincides with the closing of the wedding season. At this time, women sewed and knitted warm clothes. And the unmarried girls arranged festivities – they laid a magnificent table and invited the guys to visit. This holiday lasted until the morning. The girls prayed to Kuzma and Demyan before the wedding. This promised a strong and long family life.
Birthday
In addition to David and Kuzma, the name day is celebrated on November 14:
- Adrian;
- Jacob;
- Alexander;
- Fedor;
- Sergei;
- Denis;
- Ivan;
- Dmitry.
Among the female names: Elizabeth and Julia.
In order for a child born on November 14 to be under the care of a guardian angel, choose a name from this list. Mascot born on November 14 is coral.
Conspiracies
If a newborn suffers from insomnia on the night of November 14, then his forehead is wiped with a hem soaked in water, and they say:
Midnight night
Do not play with my child,
Give him some sleep.
Play in the oven with ashes and coals
Not God's slave (baby's name).
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.
When the baby has not slept for the second night, then at the dawn of November 14 he must be taken out into the street and said:
Zarya-zarynitsa, red maiden,
Take insomnia from my child
And in return, give me a dream book.
Most Holy Theotokos, bless and help.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.
So that the newborn does not confuse day with night, taking him out for a walk, they cross the threshold with the right foot.
If insomnia bothers adults, then before bed, read the lines aloud:
Lord, sprinkle me with the water that You were baptized.
Good water, take all the sleeplessness off me
Amen.
The second version of the conspiracy for insomnia for adults is as follows:
With Christ I drive away insomnia, with Christ I call upon me a sweet dream.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Now, ever, forever and ever. Amen.
People's omens, customs and conspiracies for November 14 are valid and bear the truth. After all, they took shape over several centuries, helping our ancestors to multiply the harvest, properly manage the household and save the family from trouble.
