Photo: from open sources
Find out the main features, traditions and prohibitions of today
On January 15, according to the new calendar, the church honors the memory of Paul of Thebes. According to the old style, this is the day of remembrance of St. Sylvester and St. Seraphim of Sarov; people called the holiday “Sylvester Day” or “Chicken Festival.”
What you can do on January 15, and what is prohibited, and who to congratulate on Angel’s Day, read the material.
history of the holiday
Paul of Thebes is considered the first Christian monk and hermit. He lived in ancient Egypt. Pavel was orphaned early and experienced many difficulties; as a child, his own relative, who dreamed of an inheritance, tried to kill him. As a youth, he had to flee persecution. A relative of Paul wanted to reveal his faith.
Paul then settled in the desert and lived there as a hermit for 91 years. It is believed that he ate food brought to him by a raven. And then Saint Anthony found out about Paul, who then buried him in a Christian manner.
According to the old calendar, the “Chicken Festival” was celebrated on this day. It was believed that to attract good luck you need to take care of birds. If you clean the chicken coop on this day, happiness will come to your home. Because of this, it was strictly forbidden to eat poultry on this day. People believed that this would bring terrible misfortune to the home of those who broke the rule.
Signs of the day
- the stars are clearly visible all night – summer will be fruitful
- the wind breaks off the branches – spring will begin with rains
- there is a lot of snow – the frosts will not go away soon
- the sky is covered with clouds – spring will be late.
What not to do today
- walking and loitering in the streets, this can attract evil spirits
- celebrate and have fun
- plan a vacation and move.
Angel Day is celebrated today by: Pavel, Ivan, Mikhail, Gabriel, Ilona, Elena.
