Gordeev Day: what to expect from it?

In January, in the midst of Christmas, a special holiday is celebrated, which is considered a national holiday. It is not included in the register of holidays and memorable dates of the Russian Federation and therefore is not a day off. It is a day of remembrance of such a great martyr as Gordei, and the prophet Malachi.

In the people this holiday was called even the Witch day, because they believed that all evil spirits are very angry because the day starts to win the night, the time is right for their revelry.

In honor of which saint the holiday is named

The name of this day was given by the martyr and centurion Gordius of Cappadocia, who in the IV century suffered for the faith of Christ. The Great Martyr Gordius was born in the end of the III century in a Christian family, who lived in the town of Caesarea in Cappadocia. Entering into military service in adulthood, he managed to attain the centurion, since he displayed outstanding military art and courage.

When, at the beginning of the fourth century, widespread persecution of Christians began, he retired to the desert, leaving the world in order to prepare himself spiritually for the confession of people to the name of Christ the Savior. In defense of Christians, Gordey was opened in 320, for which the prefect of the city ordered him to be seized and tortured. After the most terrible torture and torment, Gordey was cut off.

The popular beliefs of this day

In the people of Gordeev, the day was always considered Witch, because it fell on the revelry of holy festivities, when all the evil forces were getting out of control. Witches, in connection with the fact that they did not agree with the victory of the day over night, were very angry and flew out to hunt, so as much as possible to spoil people. Therefore, on January 16, it was not that they did not leave the yard, but they tried not to even open the bolts, being careful not to penetrate the house even through a small latch.

It is impossible in the day of the Great Martyr Gordius neither to lie nor to boast. And be proud of the achievements of both their own and those close to them, they were careful. First, in Russia pride has always been a terrible sin, and secondly, it was believed that the witch would inevitably send a curse out of anger into the soul of such a person and deprive him of what he so rejoices. There was even a saying: "What a boon in Gordeev day, that and lost!"

What kind of protection to expect from the bright forces on this day?

From the evil eye protected and cattle, as according to popular beliefs tired of the binge of the holy week and the hungry witches could the cow completely suck the milk and kill it. This was guarded most of all. Therefore, in order to avoid the filthiness of evil spirits, for help in Gordeev the day was turned to the house-servant.

The ceremony went like this: in the evening a candle was lit above the gates, which was stored since Christmas, and a bowl was placed under the gate with the fresh, freshly prepared cottage put in it and asked the patron and assistant of the family to look after the cattle, the house and the house.

It was accepted on this national holiday to cook oatmeal for the cows on milk. The owners themselves, too, did not disdain. With doubled efforts, they looked after cows and horses. After all, both were nurses in peasant families. Therefore, on Gordeev Day, January 16, they were given the greatest respect. And to remove any damage, this holiday was perfect. Only on this day the healers could cure a "spoiled" person or even an epileptic patient.

The Signs of Gordeev Day

By folk signs in the Gordeev day watched what kind of weather to expect from March. In addition, if there were large clouds in the sky, white and fluffy, this foreshadowed a violent blizzard. There were also a few special features for this day:

• Close to the village came the hares - to be cold.
• A large number of hares in the fields - expect a snowstorm or blizzard.
• The snow does not stop all day - wait especially frosty night.
• Month is very cool - there will be cold weather, the moon has a ring - wait for a snowstorm.

Also for the fishermen there was a special sign: on Gordeev day, when they are going to go fishing, all business should be done around the house. And the beekeepers waited for a blizzard, because she on this day, January 16, foreshadowed a good swarming.