Cover in Orenburg: traditions, signs and unexpected heat up to +20 ° C

According to legend, the Virgin stretched her cover over the besieged Constantinople, saving its inhabitants. In Russia, the holiday was especially loved and was introduced in common use in the XII century by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky.

This is the boundary when autumn meets winter. The day is associated with the completion of field work and the onset of cold weather: it is often October 14 that the first snow falls. Hence the proverb: “Autumn is autumn before lunch, winter after lunch.” According to the weather on this day, they judge the coming winter: the south wind promises a soft, the north wind promises snow, and if all the leaves fall by the holiday, the winter will be warm and snowy.

As for local customs, there are details. On this day it is customary to wear a down scarf, bake cakes and treat relatives and neighbors with them - it is believed that generosity will bring prosperity to the house. At the same time, it is not customary to engage in heavy housework, quarrel or arrange noisy gatherings: the day is spent in the peace and warmth of the family circle. Another ancient tradition is to put a bowl of milk for the house.

The forecast in Orenburg for October 14 is unexpectedly warm: in the afternoon it is expected to +15. +20 °C with a northeast wind of 3-5 m / s. For mid-October, this is more a continuation of autumn than a meeting with winter.

Pokrov is a rare example of how a church holiday and folk signs intertwined in one tradition, which in Orenburg is honored regardless of their attitude to religion. And if this year’s weather does not coincide with the saying “afternoon is winter”, this in itself is an interesting reason to talk: signs live their lives, and the climate – theirs. But traditions do not lose meaning from this: you can bake cakes and treat neighbors at +20 ° C.

Do you celebrate the Intercession? Do you follow any of these traditions?