Archbishop Proclus of Constantinople, whose memory the church honors on December 3, was a disciple of John Chrysostom, learned eloquence from him. People loved the saint for his ascetic life and concern for the unhappy. Traditions, rituals, folk omens on December 3 are mainly aimed at combating evil spirits, which hide underground in winter, but on this day seeks to get out. While overshadowing themselves with the sign of the cross during the prayer to Saint Proclus, people asked to make sure that evil spirits would not annoy anyone.
What awaits you in the near future
Signs on December 3 spoke about the weather, and not only for the coming days, but also for June:
- It is snowing on Prokla – Elena-flaxsevka (June 3) will be with rain.
- The bullfinch whistled, and the magpie is hiding under the eaves – a blizzard is expected in the near future.
- Teterev took up a position in the treetops – predicting warm, sunny weather.
- Hares burrow into snowdrifts near human habitation – prolonged cold is expected.
- Snow will fall before December 4, then it will melt, and if after, it will lie.
- Heavy snowfall in the early morning – the eve of a clear and sunny day.
- Crackling of logs in the oven – predicts frosty weather.
- A curved long strip of cirrus clouds portends a blizzard.
- Heavy snowfall with little wind at night and early in the morning – on the eve of clear weather in the afternoon.
Sign by date of birth: December 3, artisans appear to the world. People born on the day of St. Proclus have skillful hands. To protect themselves from the evil eye, to protect themselves from troubles and dangers, they must choose coral as a talisman, this is a symbol of longevity.
Traditions and rituals December 3
At night, judging by the superstitions, the evil spirits tried to enter the peasant's dwelling through an accidentally unclosed door, window or pipe. Therefore, before going to bed, people blocked all ventilation openings, pipes with a cross, and protected empty dishes with chopsticks or splinters folded 'crosswise'. This event was accompanied by the utterance of the enclosing conspiracy. The demons who settled in the house were not only capable of dirtying themselves, but also forced people to do bad deeds.
Another important ceremony is a prayer service to Saint Proclus about good luck on the road. On December 3, a sled path was opened, a prayer that protects from troubles on the trip.
A popular omen about December 3 warned that on this day evil spirits could jump out of the ground, not afraid of the cold, and make trouble. Therefore, protective conspiracies were so popular to protect them from the tricks of evil spirits. Moreover, they were pronounced not only in the form of a prayer to Saint Proclus, but also often in the form of battle.
