On December 12, the Orthodox Church pays tribute to the memory of Saint Paramon, who suffered for his faith in Jesus Christ. In the folk calendar – Paramonov’s day. In the old days, it was believed that at this time it was impossible to share plans. If you tell me, forget about them forever.
December 12 is the day of memory of St. Paramon of Bithynsky. Very little is known about the great martyr. According to the scriptures, he lived in the 3rd century, during the time of Emperor Decai, who was distinguished by particular cruelty. Then, by order of the ruler, 370 Christians found themselves behind bars, refusing to offer sacrifices to idols.
A simple resident of Paramon Bifinsky appealed to the emperor with a request not to torture people. And he ended up in jail. The torture they were subjected to evoked compassion even among the tormentors. But Christians stoically endured bullying, each time refusing to accept the pagan faith. All of them were executed.
Folk calendar: Paramonov’s day
December 12 in the folk calendar is Paramon’s day, which is also called Paramon Winter-indicator, Paramon, Paramon-zornik. The name of the holiday is associated with the holy martyr Paramon.
Paramon was called the Winter Indicator because on this day, according to a number of characteristic signs, one could understand what the weather would be like in winter. By Paramonov’s Day, our ancestors tried to have time to stock up on firewood so as not to freeze.
On Paramon’s Day, it was supposed to drive a nail into a log located in the wall of the bathhouse on the western side. It was believed that after this the steam room would become therapeutic. Our ancestors knew: if there is a good bath, ailments are not terrible. Steam and a broom will drive away all diseases.
What to do on Paramon’s Day
In the old days, people believed in omens, adhered to traditions that were passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, on Paramon’s day, the housewives were engaged in baking in the morning. Lenten pies were served to the table – Christmas post requires restrictions. It was believed that after this well-being would not want to leave the house.
On Paramon’s Day, every housewife tried to borrow at least something from her neighbors. If this succeeded, then it was possible to live in peace. It was believed that after this, happiness and money would find their way to the home of enterprising people.
In Rus’, on December 12 (November 29, old style), the peasants said: “Paramon has come – the snow is out of the roof,” and they began to clean them. This was supposed to be done with a broom or a broom. It was impossible to take a shovel in hand, so as not to brush off luck.
Our ancestors sincerely believed that since Paramon’s Day, winter, wearing a bear skin, enters the villages to knock on the roofs. She reminded: it is necessary to heat the stoves, cook porridge.
On Paramon, the girls were guessing at future husbands. In a dream, they tried to discern at least some detail that would help at a meeting, to understand: here he is, betrothed-mummers.
What not to do on Paramon’s day
On Paramon’s Day, our ancestors were afraid to take out the garbage, so as not to take good luck and prosperity out of the house with it. On Paramon’s day prohibited:
- Hit the road. There will be no good luck and peace in new lands.
- Spending money on purchases, forgetting their bill. People were afraid of waste, realizing that finances would then be tight.
- Do the cleaning. The peasants were afraid to wipe the dust and sweep the floor with different brooms, so as not to inadvertently sweep away goodness, peace and good luck.
On Paramon Day it was considered dangerous to feed the birds. If it was necessary to do this, they took buckwheat. Otherwise, next year you can be left without bread.
Paramonov’s day: folk omens
Paramon speaks more eloquently than words about the weather for the rest of December. “Red morning – to be clear in December,” the peasants reasoned. If on Paramon’s day the sky was red in the morning, it meant that the rest of the month would be clear weather.
If in the morning a blizzard forced them to stay at home, people understood that the bad weather would last until Winter Nicholas, which is celebrated on December 19 (December 6, old style). If the stars shone brightly in the sky at night, this served as a warning: a cold snap is not far off. If the stars were dim, a thaw would soon come.
On Paramon’s name day, celebrate: Daniil, Denis, Ivan, Nikolai, Paramon, Sergey, Fedor. The main feature of these people is mercy. They are honest with themselves and others. In difficult times, they will lend a shoulder and lend a helping hand. They can be trusted with secrets about which, as a rule, it is customary to remain silent.
Earlier, the online publication Uchitelskaya Gazeta talked about what needs to be done in soykin dayas well as about the traditions of the national holiday Katherine’s day. Special section UG.RU “People’s Calendar” dedicated to ancient Russian customs.
