Folk signs: what not to do Volgograd on October 9, on Ivan the Theologian
On this day, Orthodox Christians remember the Apostle John the Theologian, one of the 12 closest disciples of Jesus Christ. According to church tradition, he wrote the Gospel of John, 3 Cathedral Epistles and the Book of Revelations. In the national calendar, this date is known as the day of Ivan the Theologian (Ivan the Putnik and Ivan the Autumn)
Traditionally
On the morning of October 9, the faithful attended the service. Those who went on a long road prayed to the Apostle John for protection on the way. The saint was addressed during family difficulties, and icon painters, painters and scribes asked him for wisdom and inspiration.
After the service, people returned to their daily activities. In the southern regions, men completed winter sowing and harvesting. Women baked cakes and treated them to relatives, passers-by and those in need: it was believed that a guest who entered the house on October 9, brings grace.
On this day, traditionally held the brides. The family of the groom was met at a rich table. If a girl agreed to a marriage, matchmakers were imprisoned for a treat. When refused, the groom was served a pumpkin - a sign of unwillingness to create a family with him.
Before a long trip, people carried out a special ritual: they held a wallet in their left hand, a candle in their right hand and dripped wax on their wallet. They believed it would make the money invisible to the kidnappers. It was considered good luck to find or get a penny for change: the money was rubbed to shine and a month was stored in a wallet, hoping to attract wealth.
What prohibitions were observed
According to popular beliefs, on October 9, knives, needles, sewers and other stabbing or cutting objects should not be taken in hand. It was believed that this could lead to quarrels in the family.
It was forbidden to swear, swear and conflict with loved ones. Swearing on this day had a special destructive power and could turn into a disaster for the whole family.
It was not recommended to eat onions and garlic, so as not to disturb the peace of the dead and not to incur nightmares and diseases. Weddings and weddings were strictly forbidden: the marriage, concluded on October 9, was considered unhappy and short-lived.
You couldn't brag and count the money. People believed that such actions could lead to loss of luck and financial well-being.
Weather signs
A strong leaffall on John the Theologian was considered a sign of rapid cooling and the approach of winter. The first snow, according to legend, meant that the real winter will come by Mikhailov day – November 21.
Rain and snow foreshadowed strong thaws in January. The warm and sunny weather on this day, according to signs, indicated a cold and rainy June next year.
