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Find out the main features, traditions and prohibitions of today
On December 12, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine celebrate the day of remembrance of St. Spyridon. Read about what you can and absolutely cannot do, and who to congratulate on their name day.
Traditions of this day
Spyridon was the Bishop of Trimythous, who lived in Cyprus in the 3rd-4th centuries. He became famous for his piety, good deeds, mercy and justice. During his prayer, the drought was replaced by abundant life-giving rain, and continuous rains were replaced by warm and dry weather.
People pray to this saint for healing from various diseases. He is asked to give a good harvest and help avoid hunger and give abundance. Therefore, those who are in financial difficulty often turn to him.
On this day, believers tried not to work. It is believed that today Saint Spyridon will drive out all pests from the houses. In order not to disturb him, people did not take up brooms or other tools. Also, they don’t lend anything to Spiridon. They believe that this way there will be no contentment in the house.
On this day, gardeners asked the saint to protect the trees and give them a good harvest.
People say that from December 25th the sun returns for summer. Therefore, this particular holiday is called “Spiridon Solstice”. Usually on this day the children asked the sun to return. They sang songs to him.
Signs of this day
- Gloomy morning – spring will come early.
- Clear sun – it will also be clear on Christmas Day.
- At night the stars are bright – until the cold winter and hot summer.
What not to do on this day
On Spiridon, our ancestors believed that one should not sit in the dark, so they lit, if possible, all the candles that they could find, so that the rooms would be as bright as day.
