The custom of celebrating on December 10 the church feast of the Sign of the Most Holy Theotokos is associated with signs that people have remembered since ancient times. On this day, Orthodox Christians honor and offer prayers to the icon of the Mother of God 'The Sign', and festive services are held in churches.
The founder of the church celebration was Archbishop Elijah of Novgorod after the victory of Veliky Novgorod over the Suzdal princes (1170). There is a legend that the city was protected by the prayers of residents to the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos 'Sign'.
The patronage of the image of the Virgin is needed for protection from a natural disaster or war. The face of God helps you find lost things, gain family understanding, or heal an illness. They appeal to her patronage, setting off on a long journey. Childless women pray to her to find the happiness of motherhood.
In addition, this is the day ending the decade of the first winter month. Therefore, on December 10, on the church holiday of the Sign, according to signs, Christians determine the weather for the coming winter.
According to the popular calendar, December 10 is the holiday of the Christian ascetic Saint Roman of Antioch. During his lifetime, the saint healed people from diseases and blessed women for having children.
Customs
If it is warm outside on December 10, according to Christian customs, you cannot physically work. On the Feast of the Sign, believers avoid knitting, sewing, building and renovation work. It is believed that physical labor performed on the Sign can be closed warmly, and then the winter harvest will die.
Fishermen have not been fishing since December 10. After the Omen, the fish hides or goes deep, so fishing is considered ineffective.
After the Omen in the forest, moose begin to throw off their old horns, and the bear hibernates.
Signs and sayings on the Sign
Folk omens for December 10 are time-tested, so Christians still believe in them today.
- if you face north at dawn, sorrow and adversity will go away with the wind;
- if the stars are shining brightly, it will be frosty; if the stars are dim, wait for a thaw;
- from the chimney, a column of smoke – to frost, smoke spreads from the bottom – to a thaw;
- the dawn is filled with crimson – there will be strong winds;
- cattle snort and sniff – by a frosty day;
- if you see a spotted hare in the forest – wait for a thaw;
- splinters crack and a lot of carbon deposits from them – to the cold;
- sparrows chirp together and a strong noise of the forest is heard – to the warmth;
- if you pull out a pike with caviar from the hole, it will rain in April.
Name days December 10
Born 10 december are distinguished by vitality and strong character. They are strong-willed and independent people with strong convictions and strong physical abilities. Amethyst stone suits them as a talisman, which makes it possible to know the inner world of the Universe and develop creative abilities.
Also on December 10, the day of the angel is celebrated by those who were given the names Vsevolod, Andrey, Alexey, Vladimir, Dmitry, Nikolai and Roman at baptism. The day marks the name day for girls baptized with the name Thekla.
The Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary is revered not only by Old Believers. Being locally revered, since the 16th century the annual worship of the icon of the Mother of God 'The Sign' has become an all-Russian celebration.
