Commemoration Day of the Martyrs Sergius and Bacchus: what can and cannot be done on October 20
Orthodox Church remembers Roman soldiers who were martyred for their faith
On October 20, believers honor the memory of the martyrs Sergius and Bacchus - Roman military leaders who lived at the turn of the III-IV centuries under the emperor Maximian. For refusing to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, they were subjected to cruel tortures: Bacchus died from beatings, and Sergius was executed later after new tortures. In folk tradition, this day was called Sergey Winter, since it is from October 20, according to signs, the real cold begins.
What to do on October 20th
It is customary to start the morning on Sergius Winter with the care of pets - they are fed and watered before sitting down at the table themselves. It was believed that so pets and animals easier to survive the winter. On this day, housewives insulate the house, prepare supplies for the winter and engage in blanks. Women washed with sour milk or yogurt - this, according to legend, helped to preserve beauty and youth, and a new scarf on the head protected from headaches for the whole year. Wearing at least one new thing is a promise of prosperity.
What not to do on October 20th
The main prohibition concerns the test: Sergius Winter did not bake bread and did not prepare pastries, so as not to cause poverty and disease. It was not recommended to accept gifts from strangers - they believed that with the gift you can get other people's problems. Do not complain about life: it was believed that the words spoken on this day about troubles can attract even more trouble. They also avoided quarrels with loved ones and large purchases - the latter could turn into a deterioration of health. Weddings on October 20 did not play: marriage, according to legend, promised to be difficult.
Weather marks
If snow fell on October 20 and the leaves on the trees had not yet fallen, winter was expected late. The clear and warm weather foreshadowed that the heat would last for another three weeks, and the pale and murky moon at night - fast frosts and snowfall.
