What Orthodox holiday Christians celebrate today – read on UNIAN.
Saint Modest became famous as the rector of the Theodosievsk monastery, and then became archbishop in Jerusalem. During his life, the Jews united with the Persians and destroyed many monasteries and temples in Jerusalem, including the Holy Sepulcher. Patriarch Zechariah was sent into captivity together with the believers. It was then that Modest was appointed archbishop, and he restored all the holy places in the city.
In honor of the memory of the saint, today a folk holiday is celebrated on December 31 – Modest or the Cattle Guardian.
Orthodox holiday December 31 – the day of memory of the martyr Sebastian with his retinue
Read alsoWeekends in January: how Ukraine rests on the New Year and after itSebastian lived during the reign of Tsar Diocletian, was his favorite and professed the Christian faith. He hid it in order to visit the dungeons where the Orthodox were kept, and to alleviate their fate. Soon he himself wanted to receive the martyr’s crown.
According to legend, two siblings Markellin and Mark were sentenced to death for their faith. Their parents went to prison and began to beg their children to deny Christ in order to avoid death. Then Sebastian turned to the people and in his sermon told about the true God. Many pagans were baptized after his speech, the king took this as a betrayal and killed them all. This happened around the year 290.
Signs December 31
People’s omens today / photo UNIAN, Denis Pryadko
- snow falls in large flakes – it will soon get warmer;
- severe frosts – there will be no blizzard in the near future;
- there is little or no snow in the fields – next year will be a bad harvest;
- to remove the festive table before midnight – to poverty.
What cannot be done today
Our ancestors believed that on December 31, evil spirits roam the world, so it was impossible to leave sharp objects unattended, otherwise the demons would “cut” happiness and prosperity into pieces. You also need to cover the vessels with water with something. If you disobey, then evil spirits can penetrate the water, and the person who drank it will get sick.
On New Year’s Eve, the Orthodox Church prohibits cutting hair, sewing clothes, working, or fixing anything in the house. Remember not to swear and gossip.
What you can do on December 31st
Saint Modestus was considered the patron saint of livestock, so people have long prayed to him for the protection of their animals. The festive table should be set, avoiding dishes with lobster or crayfish, so that the person does not move backward.
Before celebrating the New Year, be sure to go to the shower and put on clean clothes. Popular beliefs say that every family should leave a plate of food for the brownie in a secluded place, then he will guard the residents and help them in business.
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