Strict fasting, “cabbages” and amulets: traditions and prohibitions on the Exaltation

Exaltation is a day of strict fasting: the church does not relax even on Sunday. Meat, fish, eggs and milk are excluded from the diet; only food with vegetable oil is allowed. The people said, “Whoever fasts on the Exaltation will be forgiven seven sins.”.

In Russia, the main occupation on September 27 was the harvesting of cabbage. Three days before the holiday, the Cohens were removed from the garden, and then chopped together, gathering on the “cabbages” in the largest hut. Cabbage was stewed, roasted, baked cakes with it and stewed in barrels. It was believed that if on this day from the heart to eat sauerkraut, the whole year you will live without trouble.

Another important tradition was the protection of the house and house from evil spirits. Peasants drew with chalk, soot or charcoal crosses on doors and walls, and small wooden crosses were placed in the bins and nurseries for cattle. Hence the popular name of the day - Stavrov Day (from the Greek "Stavros" - cross).

It was considered a good omen to plant trees and bushes in the garden - they believed that they would take root well. In some villages it was customary to consecrate the branches of ash and hang them above the entrance to the house as a talisman.

However, there were many prohibitions. It was impossible to start important things - it was believed that everything started on the Ascension would go to dust. It was not recommended to go to the forest: snakes at this time gathered for wintering and became aggressive, and Lesha, according to legend, could lead astray.

Loans were forbidden: money, bread or salt could not be lent; this threatened ruin and loss of friendship. It was not worth doing needlework: they believed that it could lead to poverty or loss of health. Unmarried girls were not allowed to eat potatoes because they thought they would not get married for another year.

Also on this day it was impossible to swear, quarrel, gossip and pick up things found on the street: according to legend, along with the find you can take someone else's troubles and diseases.