Everyone knows that Orthodoxy and Catholicism have a number of serious differences. They apply to almost everything, including religious holidays. Catholics celebrate such celebrations that adherents of Orthodoxy do not celebrate. Well, the Orthodox have such holidays that are not greatly revered in Catholicism. Among them is St. George's Day, which is actively celebrated in the Orthodox Church.
The meaning of the holiday
St. George's Day cannot be attributed to the most significant and famous Christian holidays. Moreover, many believers do not even know about its existence. But at the same time, the church does not forget about this holiday.
Few people know, but St. George's Day is celebrated in memory of the Great Martyr George the Victorious, who is considered the most famous saint with this name. He is revered in both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. At the same time, he is one of the most famous great martyrs in Christianity. Therefore, it is rather strange that a holiday in his honor does not enjoy due popularity.
In addition to church significance, St. George's Day also has a historical background. On this day, the landlords fully paid off the hired peasants for the harvest. That is, on this day, in almost every village in Rus', the financial results of the year were summed up.
Holiday date in 2019
In the period from the sixteenth to the seventeenth century St. George's Day was celebrated annually on December 6th. In the 18th century, some changes took place in the holiday calendar. Since then, the holiday began to be celebrated on December 9 in a new style. In addition, Christians celebrate St. George's Day in the spring. It happens on May 6 according to the new style. Christians also remember St. George on November 16 according to the new style. The fact is that it was on this day in the fourth century that the renovated church of St. George in Lida was opened.
Christians remember the Holy Great Martyr George not only on May 6, December 9 and November 16, but also on the 23rd of the last autumn month. On this November day (according to the new style), they remember the great martyr George on the wheel, which he underwent on the orders of Emperor Diocletian. That is, the holy Great Martyr George is honored several times a year.
Which saint is remembered on this day
Many people do not know about the existence of such a holiday as St. George's Day, because they do not know the saint named Yuri. But, in fact, this holiday is celebrated by Christians in memory of another saint. We are talking about the Great Martyr George the Victorious, whom many have heard of, because his image is actively used in art, including contemporary art. Most of these works are based on the traditional plot, according to which the saint strikes with a spear (or sword) an insidious serpent. On the basis of this plot, a large number of paintings, sculptures and frescoes. Also, this plot is often used to create coins and coats of arms. So, George, striking a serpent with a spear, can be seen on the coat of arms of Moscow. This fact is another confirmation that George the Victorious is one of the most famous saints in Christianity.
history of the holiday
The life of Saint George has been described in many texts. So, according to the Greek texts, George was born in the third century in Lida (now the city of Lod in Israel). The future holy great martyr grew up in a rich Christian family. Upon reaching a certain age, George entered the military service. The young man stood out among other warriors with his mind, excellent physical data, great strength and courage. Thanks to this, he very quickly became the head of the thousand and the favorite of the emperor.
When George was 20 years old, his mother died, leaving his son a large inheritance. Because of this, George left the service and went to the court in order to try to achieve a high position in society. The young man had everything necessary to achieve his goal. However, he failed to do so. The fact is that at this time the persecution of Christians began.
While the persecution of Christians began, the future great martyr was in Nicomedia. Here he distributed all his wealth, received as an inheritance, to poor people. After that, George, always distinguished by his courage, appeared before the emperor and informed him that he remained a Christian. At the same moment, George lost his position as the emperor's favorite. The young man was arrested and subjected to torture.
Grabbing George, the guards began to push him into the dungeon with spears. However, one spear broke on the young man's body. After that, the guards decided to torture him with a wheel that was studded with knives. After these tortures, the emperor thought that George had died, but at that moment an angel appeared to him and the great martyr greeted him. So Diocletian realized that the guard was still alive. The emperor ordered to remove him from the wheel and everyone saw that the stab wounds on George's body miraculously healed.
After unsuccessful torture on the wheel with daggers, Diocletian ordered the young man to be subjected to a number of other tests. George was thrown into a pit of quicklime. However, this deadly procedure did not harm him. He was also given poison, beaten with whips and broken bones.
Even having experienced all these torments, George did not want to renounce Christ. That is why the emperor ordered the execution of his former favorite. But this did not frighten the brave Christian. He chose to accept death rather than renounce his faith. In memory of this holy great martyr, St. George's Day is celebrated.
How St. George's Day is celebrated
St. George the Great Martyr has become really popular since the days of early Christianity. Starting from the fourth century, churches named after St. George began to appear in different regions. Over time, even the cult of St. George was formed. It is generally accepted that he appeared in opposition to the cult pagan god Dionysus.
Since the Great Martyr George is considered the patron saint of soldiers, farmers, travelers and shepherds, it is quite understandable that many people pray to him. On St. George's Day, people turn to George with their prayers, asking the saint for a harvest, for protection from troubles and bad weather, for good luck and success, as well as for sending down rain and the offspring of livestock.
folk traditions
Like many other Christian holidays, St. George's Day has acquired a number of folk traditions and customs. And, although many of these traditions are practically not observed, we invite you to remember or learn about them.
- This holiday has always been special for all peasants. The fact is that it was on this day that every peasant could safely leave his master. However, subsequently the peasants were deprived of such a privilege. This decision came as a real surprise to people. Therefore, they remembered it for a long time.
- It was on this day that the financial results of the year were summed up in all Russian villages. The landowners gave the peasants the money they earned.
- On this day, it was customary to listen to the water. People went to the wells and listened. If no one heard anything, then the winter promised to be warm and short. Well, if someone heard the splash of water, then the winter promised to be frosty.
- It was on St. George's Day that people were engaged in warming their own homes. To do this, for example, they upholstered the doors of their dwellings with felt, and also performed a number of other procedures to insulate their home.
When is Yegoriev's Day celebrated? The date of this holiday, which is dedicated to St. George the Victorious, falls on May 6, 2020.
AT folk tradition this holiday is also called Egory spring, George the brave, Egory spring, Yuri spring, Yuri warm. Another name is Egory the Hungry, because by this time the peasants usually ran out of provisions.
St. George is revered by Christians of different denominations. He was born in the 3rd century in Lydda (Palestine) into a wealthy family. His pious parents raised him in the Christian faith. He was distinguished by intelligence, courage and physical strength. He decided to become a military man and, having entered the service, he became one of the commanders and the favorite of the then emperor Diocletian.
But after George confessed that he professed Christianity, he was arrested and tortured. Despite persuasion, he did not renounce his faith. On the night before his death, Christ appeared to him in a dream with a golden crown on his head and said that paradise awaited him.
George became famous thanks not only to his earthly deeds, but posthumous miracles. According to one legend, a snake lived in a lake not far from where he was born. Local residents were forced to give him their children by lot. Once the lot fell on the daughter of the ruler, who was given to the monster. But a young man suddenly appeared, struck the snake with a spear and saved the girl. As it turned out, it was Saint George. After he accomplished this feat, the locals, who were pagans, converted to Christianity.
Traditions of celebrating Yegoriev's Day
Those who decide to celebrate Yegoriev's Day in 2020 should be aware of its traditions. We will talk about the life of this saint, the rites dedicated to the holiday, etc.
George the Victorious has long been revered in Rus'. It is known that in 1030 Yaroslav the Wise ordered the foundation of the St. George's Church near Novgorod.
And in 1036 the monastery of St. George was founded in Kyiv. By a princely decree, it was prescribed to annually celebrate the feast of St. George the Victorious throughout Rus'.
In many cities and villages in our country, temples were erected in his honor, icons with his image are kept.
What traditions of celebrating Yegoriev's Day have survived to this day? The image of St. George the Victorious is considered a symbol of the highest military prowess, the patron of our army.
Many see symbolism in the fact that the final defeat Nazi Germany happened after the day of memory of George the Victorious. The capitulation on May 8, 1945 was accepted by Marshal Zhukov, who bore the name George.
AT Russian Empire the order of the Holy Great Martyr and Victorious George was the highest military award, which was received by especially distinguished military men who showed courage and courage in the battle for their homeland.
Only 4 people became cavaliers of the four degrees of the order, among whom were commanders M. Kutuzov and M. Barclay de Tolly. In 1807, the "soldier George" was established, which was awarded to the lower ranks of the army. AT Soviet years this award was abolished, but in 2000 the order was restored according to the decree of the President of the Russian Federation.
On May 6, 2020, on Egoriev's Day, various events will be held in Moscow, the patron saint of which this saint is considered, and other cities: exhibitions in museums, lectures, theatrical performances, etc.
Warriors offer prayers to George the Victorious on the day of his memory, believers turn to him with requests for protection from enemies and from unjust oppression.
Among the people, he is also revered as the patron saint of farmers and cattle breeders.
In Rus', Egoriev's Day was the main agricultural holiday of the year. Since that time, spring field work began. The peasants read prayers for a good harvest in the fields, sprinkling the fields with holy water. Branches were stuck into the ground, which were consecrated in temples in Palm Sunday. The cultivators asked Yegori to open the earth, to let out the dew.
According to legend, on this day the saint rides into the field on his white horse and grazes cattle, protecting them from wild animals, over which he also rules. Peasants cleaned, washed and tasty fed cows and sheep. Cattle were whipped with willow: this plant is the first to come to life with the onset of spring, and such a ceremony was supposed to contribute to the fertility of animals. At the same time, they said: “Christ is with you! Egory the brave, take my animal for the whole full summer and save her!
It was considered a great sin if the shepherds did not attend a church service on a holiday dedicated to their patron. On Egoriev's Day, they were given gifts and treated to scrambled eggs in the field. For the holiday, a loaf was baked, the first piece of which was given to the shepherds, and the remains of the pastry were fed to the cattle returning from the pasture. The housewives also prepared ritual cookies in the form of cows, horses, goats and other animals.
Beliefs and signs on Yegoriev's day
Many beliefs and signs are associated with this day. It is believed that if you lie down in the morning on the "Yuryev dew", you will be healthy and happy. And in order to protect livestock from wolves, on this day you can’t do wool - spin or knit; It is not recommended to even pick up threads.
On Yegoriev's Day, various signs can be used to judge the weather. They say that on this day spring descends to the earth. There were sayings: “Yegory unlocks the earth”, “Yegory came, and spring will not leave”, “Yuri dragged spring to the threshold”.
If the day turned out to be warm, then summer should be early. Wind from the north heralds early frosts in autumn.
The future harvest was also judged on this day. In the old days they said: “It’s frosty on Yegory - there will be millet and oats”, “This seedling before Yegory - there will be plenty of cabbage soup”, “On St. George’s Day, only a lazy plow does not leave the field.”
If it rains on Yegory Veshny, then in the summer there will be a lot of grass and, accordingly, hay. There will also be a lot of grain, but buckwheat will not be born.
Now you know what date Egoriev's Day is celebrated in 2020. However, this is not the only holiday dedicated to this saint. He is commemorated in churches on November 16 (when the relics of the Great Martyr were buried in Lydda); November 23 (in memory of the martyrdom and death of the righteous).
On December 9 (November 26, according to the old style), Yegory's autumn holiday is celebrated, which is also called St. George's Day. Until the 17th century, in our country at this time, peasants could change their owners. However, in 1649 this law was repealed, which marked the beginning of the final formalization of serfdom. The people then had a saying: "Here you are, grandmother, and St. George's day." And now they talk about deceived expectations.
St. George's Day (Egory Autumn) December 9, 2017: what kind of holiday is it, how is it celebrated, signs of this day, traditions, history. Every year on December 9, the people's holiday St. George's Day, aka Egory Autumn, is celebrated.
AT Orthodox calendar This date is dedicated to the anniversary of the consecration of the Cathedral of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in Kyiv. Among the people, the saint is considered the patron saint of farmers and the lord of wolves. And it is called “autumn” because, according to the old style, the holiday was celebrated on November 26, that is, in autumn.
In the people, the holiday has several names - Yuri Kholodny, Yuri Osenniy, Egory Zimny, Egory Kholodny, Yegoriev's Day, George the Victorious.
History says that it was customary for the nobles to build temples in honor of their heavenly patrons. The Grand Duke of Kyiv Yaroslav the Wise also ordered to build a church in honor of St. George, whose name he was named at baptism. For the construction, a place was chosen not far from the Kyiv Sophia Church. The consecration of the temple took place on November 26, 1051. The prince bequeathed to celebrate this event every year. So this day is a special date in the Orthodox calendar and at the present time.
St. George's Day (Egory Autumn) December 9, 2017 has its own customs, signs, traditions. It is believed that if you are going on a long journey that day, you need to serve a prayer service for a successful end to the journey.
In backgammon there is a sign that all debts must be paid before Egor Autumn. Otherwise, you will live in debt for the rest of your life.
St. George's Day was highly valued during the days of serfdom. The reason for this was the right of the peasants to move from one farmer to another during the week before the holiday and the week after the holiday. At the end of the 16th century, Boris Godunov canceled this.
For this reason, a proverb appeared among the people "Here's to you, grandmother, and St. George's Day", meaning bitter regret about the loss of the right to choose.
Egory Kholodny has his signs on December 9, 2017. They say that if on St. George's Day on December 9, a wolf howls next to housing, then wait severe frosts. If neither splash nor noise comes from the well, then the whole winter will be quiet and calm. And if on this day the water in the well was rippling, then there will be snowstorms and blizzards.
St. George's Day - a national holiday in Rus', was called so because on this day Christian church remembers St. George the Victorious, the protector and patron of Rus'.
By tradition, this day began with a prayer to St. George, who was considered by the people to be the patron and protector of both Rus' and every family.
On this day, there were many rituals rooted in pre-Christian Rus'.
Dew of St. George's Day was considered healing and useful. If you roll naked on the grass and get wet all over, then you will be strong and healthy all year. Such dew was collected in jugs and given to the sick during illness for a speedy recovery.
George was considered the patron saint of calves, so on this day their stalls were cleaned to a shine, and they themselves were given the most delicious treat. It was impossible to serve beef to the table.
On this day, they thanked the shepherds and presented them with whatever they could.
Yuriev Day is a holiday of the national calendar, which is not included in the register of memorable and festive dates of the Russian Federation.
The national holiday Egory Autumn is celebrated on December 9, 2020 (the date according to the old style is November 26). In the Orthodox calendar, this day is dedicated to the anniversary of the consecration of the Cathedral of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in Kyiv. Among the people, this saint is considered the lord of wolves and the patron saint of farmers. The holiday is called "autumn", because earlier, in the old chronology, it fell on the autumn month of November.
The content of the article
history of the holiday
In ancient times, it was customary for nobles to build temples in honor of their heavenly patrons. So the Grand Duke of Kyiv Yaroslav the Wise ordered the erection of a church in honor of St. George, whose name he was named at baptism. The place of the future construction was chosen not far from the Kyiv Sophia Church. The consecration of the Church of the Great Martyr George took place on November 26 (according to the old style), 1051. The prince bequeathed to celebrate this event annually.
Traditions and rituals
According to tradition, on this day, if a person had a long journey ahead, it was necessary to serve a prayer service for the successful completion of the journey.
It was also considered important to repay all debts to Yegory Autumn, otherwise you will be indebted all your life.
This day was very much appreciated in Rus' during the time of serfdom. For two whole weeks (one week before the holiday and after it), the peasants were allowed to move from one landowner to another. Then this liberty was canceled by Boris Godunov at the end of the 16th century. And the proverb "Here's to you, grandmother, and St. George's Day" was born, which expressed regret about the loss of freedom of choice.
Signs
The wolf howls near housing - to severe frosts.
If no splash or rustle comes from the well, then the whole winter will be quiet.
The water in the well ripples - you can't avoid blizzards and snowstorms.
