May 22, 2022 in Russia celebrate the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. He was considered a kind and compassionate helper for all the sick, the poor, and the homeless. Therefore, they turn to him with all their troubles. Our ancestors revered Saint Nicholas as the patron saint of fields and seas. It was believed that Saint Nicholas reconciles warring parties and strengthens all kinds of alliances.
Folk omens
If during the pre-flight period - from May 22 to June 10 - there was damp and windy weather with showers and thunderstorms, it means that Nikola Letniy is supportive, and at the end of summer it will be possible to collect a rich harvest. Such weather was especially favorable for the wheat harvest.
If the croaking of frogs was heard on Nikola Veshny, it means that Mother Earth will bring generous gif.webpts to people. Cereals and vegetables, fruits and berries will grow well.
Rain on Nikola promised a happy life this year.
It was believed that shearing sheep, planting potatoes and buckwheat on the day of St. Nicholas Letny will bring good luck in all matters, a rich harvest, and getting rid of troubles.
According to one of the old signs, prayers addressed to the Lord and the Saints on May 22 have great power. People can ask for healing from ailments, adding to the family, meeting with a soul mate, forgiveness of sins. Saint Nicholas, who was close to God, will certainly help!
In order not to get sick the whole year, in the morning on Nikola Letny, people with all their families went out into the field and washed themselves with dew. Then health will be strong and no ailment will stick. Some stripped down to their underwear and rolled on the dewy grass. Thus, the whole body was washed with fertile moisture.
If Alder begins to bloom on May 22, then expect quick financial well-being. It was believed that the family, in whose yard the buds of this tree blossomed, will not be aware of difficulties in material terms all year round. There are known cases when people found treasures after that, unexpectedly received an inheritance, and won a large sum of money.
Traditions
Since Nicholas the Wonderworker is the patron saint and protector of couples in love, young girls at dawn on May 22 prayed to the saint that he would grant them a meeting with their soul mate. Unmarried girls asked Nikolai to send them a good husband, generous, handsome, hard-working, brave, kind.
Saint Nicholas also patronizes animals, including sheep and horses. By the day of St. Nicholas Summer, fresh grass in the fields has already grown enough. Therefore, on the night of May 22, all the owners of horses and sheep drove their cattle into the fields. The animals frolicked all night, ran, nibbled grass. In Russia, this ceremony was turned into a real spectacular show. Yes, even today in some villages such an action can be observed. To prevent the horses and sheep from scattering, shepherds were assigned to them - young and physically strong men.
In the evening, before the start of the pasture of animals, a special dinner was prepared for the shepherds, consisting of porridge and pies. Then bonfires were lit along the perimeter of the large field. Few of the villagers went to bed early, because everyone wanted to watch the pasture of animals. Parents allowed even small children to walk that day until midnight. A little later, when the villagers dispersed to their huts, girls joined the shepherds - unmarried residents of the village. Then began a real walk with dances, songs and fun games. It was believed that on this night young men and women entered adulthood, so the older relatives did not particularly control the "hot young hearts".
In order for the harvest to be rich and the land to be fertile, at dawn, people went out into the fields and gardens, stood facing the rising sun and performed a special ceremony. They read prayers to Nicholas the Wonderworker, asking him to protect their lands, for generous gif.webpts, for a well-fed existence.
Read also:
- Holidays and weekends in 2022
- Day of family, love and fidelity in 2022
- Easter in 2022
