May 22 - the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. People have long believed that he takes care of and helps all wanderers, those who are far from home, and, of course, children. Therefore, the feast of the saint is celebrated 2 times a year: in the winter, December 19 -, and in the summer - May 22. The spring holiday has many names: Nicholas the Wonderworker, Nicholas the Summer, Nicholas the Spring, Nicholas with warmth, Grassy Day, Nicholas the merciful, sea.

Traditions and Signs on Nicholas the Miracle Worker May 22

On May 22, people always looked at nature to predict the future, and also spent the day in a special way.

1. On the holiday of summer Nikolai, everyone tried to dress in new festive clothes in order to respect Nikolai Ugodnik. They knew that this saint is closest to the Lord and can fulfill the requests of people.
2. On this religious holiday you can work: housework, housework, in the garden and vegetable garden. Therefore, the housewives on this day tried to restore order in the house, since the saint does not like disorder.
3. If it rains on Nikolay, there will be a good harvest.
4. Morning dew on Nicholas is considered healing, they try to wash her face for beauty and health, walk barefoot on the grass.
5. It has long been believed that St. Nicholas patronizes lovers, so the newlyweds and those who were going to play a wedding asked for protection and help from the saint.

What can not be done on St. Nicholas the Wonderworker: bans on St. Nicholas the Wonderworker May 22

But also on the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on May 22, some prohibitions work that all believers need to know.

1. Nicholas cannot be denied to anyone who asks you for help, otherwise the family will suffer poverty and distress for refusing to help those in need for 7 years.
2. By the day of St. Nicholas you can’t keep a debt, otherwise there will be no financial luck all year. Better to give out debts before the holiday.
3. On this day there was a ban on picking up scissors.
4. Also, you can not help but get a haircut on Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Now you know interesting moments about the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Spend the day with family or existential musings.

Cover: Marta Belmega, photo - open sources on the Web

On church holidays, he goes back to the wording of the fourth commandment, which reads "... do six days, and do all your work in them, the seventh day, the Sabbath, to the Lord your God." On the seventh day, it was supposed to be engaged in charity affairs, to study the Word of God, to visit temples - to live a spiritual life, to take care of your soul. The initiates of events from the Bible fall into the same category.

The most revered of all in which one should refrain from work is Easter, the Resurrection of Christ. It falls every year on a new date. But for most other holidays, there are fixed days.

Major Church Holidays

January 7 - Christmas
January 19 - Epiphany (Epiphany)
15 - The Presentation of the Lord
April 7 - Annunciation (the day on which the Blessed Virgin Mary learned the good news of the birth of the Son of God from Her)
Last Sunday before Easter - Palm Sunday, Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem
Forty days after Easter - Ascension of the Lord
Fiftieth day after Easter - Pentecost, Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles
August 19 - Transfiguration of the Lord
August 28 - Assumption of the Mother of God
September 21 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
September 27 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross
December 4 - Introduction to the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Additional Church Holidays

They do not belong to the largest and most famous, but nevertheless, if you have such an opportunity, it is recommended that you refrain from working in them.

July 7 - Nativity of John the Baptist
July 12 - Holy Apostles Peter and Paul
May 21 and October 9 - St. Apostle John the Evangelist
May 22 and December 19 - St. Nicholas the Wonderworker
September 11 - Clipping of the head of John the Baptist
October 14 - Protection of the Mother of God
November 4 - the feast of the Icon of the Kazan Mother of God

What should I do if I work?

None of the church prohibitions on work on weekends and holidays applies to necessary and mandatory cases. Cooking, when it comes to the festive table and food for the family, daily cleaning, harvesting in summer and autumn, urgent repairs in the house - these are urgent things, and therefore they are allowed and considered necessary. The recommendation is primarily about those cases that do not fall into the category of necessary or can be transferred without damage to the next day.

The young man was brought up under the guidance of his uncle - a local bishop. As a vocation, Nicholas chose the service of God. Having gone from a junior church servant to a bishop, he became the archbishop of the city of Myra Lycian. Nikolai was distinguished by love and compassion for people, helped the poor and destitute, distributing almost all the money received. He left to himself only the most necessary.

Once, Nikolai secretly threw three small knots of gold into the house of one man who fell into an extremely distressed situation and had to marry his three daughters to unloved grooms. The man fell into despair and decided to sacrifice the honor of his daughters and from their beauty to extract the funds necessary for the dowry. Saint Nicholas, who was vigilantly monitoring the needs of his flock, received a revelation from God about his father’s criminal intent and decided to rid him of poverty and spiritual death. At midnight he threw gold out the window, and he himself hastily returned home. The father thanked God and was soon able to marry the eldest daughter. The second time he repeated the swt. Nicholas benefited, and the third time his father decided at all costs to recognize his secret benefactor and thank him: when the saint threw the third knot, his father caught up with him and fell at his feet, but the saint, in deep humility, told him not to tell anyone about what happened.

As stated in the life of St. Nicholas, he made a trip to Jerusalem. Having reached the ancient city, the saint, ascending to Calvary, thanked the Savior of the human race and went around all the holy places, worshiping and making a prayer. There is a legend that during a visit to the holy places of Palestine, St. Nicholas wished to pray in the temple one night; He went to the locked doors, and the doors themselves opened so that the Chosen One could enter the temple.

Returning to Lycia, the saint wanted to leave the world in the Zion monastery, but the Lord announced a different path awaiting him: “Nicholas, this is not the field where you must bear the fruit I have been expecting; "go from here and go into the world, to the people, that my name may be glorified in you!"

Obeying, Saint Nicholas retired from the monastery and chose not his own city of Patara, where everyone knew him and honored him, but the big city of Mira, the capital and metropolitan of Lycian land, where, unknown to anyone, he could soon escape worldly fame. He lived as a beggar, had no where to lay his head, but inevitably attended all church services. After the death of Archbishop John, he was elected bishop of the World of Lycia, after one of the bishops of the Council, deciding on the election, was indicated in a vision the chosen one of God - Saint Nicholas.

Having become archbishop, Nikolai remained the same great ascetic, showing the flock an image of meekness and love for people. It was especially expensive for the Lycian church during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284 - 305). Bishop Nicholas, imprisoned together with other Christians, supported them and exhorted to firmly endure the bonds, torture and torment. When Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine came to power, Saint Nicholas returned to his flock.

Another significant event in the life of St. Nicholas became the First Ecumenical Council, convened by Emperor Constantine in 325, when the heresy of Aria spread, reports the Ros-Register. (He rejected the deity of Christ and did not recognize him as consubstantial with the Father.) There is a tradition that during one of the council meetings, without enduring the blasphemy of Aria, Saint Nicholas hit this heretic on the cheek. The Fathers of the Council considered such an act inappropriate and deprived St. Nicholas of the rank of bishop and imprisoned him in a prison tower. But soon many of them had a vision when, before their eyes, our Lord Jesus Christ gave the Gospel to Saint Nicholas, and the Most Holy Theotokos laid omophorion on him. Then St. Nicholas was released, he was returned to the dignity.

Even Muslim Turks have a deep respect for the saint: in the tower until now they carefully keep the dungeon where this great husband was imprisoned.

Having reached a very old age, in 345, St. Nicholas died peacefully.

According to legend, his relics were stored imperishable in the local cathedral church and exuded a healing world. In the XI century, the Turks began their attacks on the Greek Empire, in which the shrines of Christians - temples, relics and icons - were desecrated. There was an attempt to expose the reproach and power of St. Nicholas, but a terrible storm with thunder and lightning did not allow this to be done.

In 1087, the merchants of the Italian city of Bari took the relics of St. Nicholas from the Lycian world. They explained their action by the desire to save the Christian shrine from destruction by Muslim Turks, who at that time were atrocious in the possessions of the Greek empire in Asia Minor. There is also a legend that Nikolai appeared in a dream to a priest from the city of Bari and ordered his relics to be transferred to this city.

Three ships were equipped to transfer relics. Presbyters and noble citizens under the guise of merchants went to the Worlds. At the same time as the inhabitants of Bari, the Venetians also went to Mira, who also wanted to carry the relics of Nicholas to themselves.

The inhabitants of Bari arrived in the Lycian land in a roundabout way, through Egypt and Palestine. Initially, they tried to bribe the monks and take away the relics. But the monks began to resist, and then the Baryans used force. The tomb was opened, and the relics were transported to Bari. The journey lasted 20 days and ended on May 9 (May 22 in a new style).

The triumph of transferring the relics of Nicholas the Ugodnik to the church of St. Stephen in Bari was accompanied by numerous healings of the sick. And a year later, a church was specially built in the city in the name of St. Nicholas, which was consecrated by Pope Urban II.

Rev. Nestor the Chronicler testifies that the first church in the name of St. Nicholas in Russia was built in Kiev in 882, before the official adoption of Christianity.

Church tradition holds testimonies of the many miracles performed by the prayers of Nicholas. The legend of how Nikolai Mirlikiy saved the death of three innocent convicts inspired Ilya Repin to paint. In the hallmarks of the icon of the saint, miracles are embodied in his biography.

But it’s not only in books and chronicles that one can read about the miracles of the saint: today the saint, as always, helps those who pray to him, and the miracles of the saint, contemporary to us, happen no less than in past times..

Based on the facts of the lifetime assistance of St. Nicholas to all the poor and needy, they turn to him in difficult material circumstances, and help comes unexpectedly soon.

Girls and married women pray to St. Nikolai about how to safely marry and live with his spouse in love and harmony.
  Drivers, sailors and simply traveling people pray to avoid dangers on the road.
  There are many cases when St. Nikolai saved drowning people.
  Often they resort to the saint as a defender of the unjustly offended and slandered.

The feast of St. Nicholas of Veshniy is celebrated in all church parishes: prayers and religious processions are performed in his honor. Earlier, parishioners asked for holy help in the fight against drought: religious processions often ended at wells and in fields.

Believers on the day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker prefer fish dishes and try to abandon meat and eggs. In the evening, it is recommended that the whole family read a prayer of thanks for intercession.

The holiday is dedicated to the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas from Mira to Italian Bari and is not associated with any tragic events, therefore it is recommended to celebrate it joyfully and cheerfully.

Folk traditions and signs

Most of the people this holiday is known as Nikola Veshniy. Due to the fact that the transfer was committed in the spring. Saint Nicholas is an image of meekness, an intercessor for the unjustly persecuted, an assistant to the poor, a liberator of all people who have fallen into "mournful conditions": the patron saint of sailors and travelers. He is especially loved and revered. In each temple, his image hangs.

This is one of the most revered holidays. Nicola the Wonderworker is an intercessor and patron of the people. Two celebrations of the year were dedicated to the good miracle worker Nicholas: Veshniy and Zimny \u200b\u200b(December 19). "One is grassy, \u200b\u200bthe other is frosty."

Nicholas is considered the closest saint to God. He is a mediator between God and people. They pray to him, calling him for help. “St. Nicholas the Pleasant! Help me, Holy Miracle Worker! Cover me with your miracle and save me from all misfortunes! ”

The sailors during the storms on the waters carried the miraculous image of St. Nicholas to the deck and prayed for his salvation. "Nicola will save the sea, Nikola lifts a peasant man."

Nikola's Day is considered a men's holiday. This is a ritual holiday. Nicola is revered as the patron saint of horses. On this day, "guys go to night for the first time." Prayers were ordered to preserve the herds.

They say: "Nikola leaves 12 cold mornings, which can be in the spring, or even until September 14th." "From St. Nicholas of the Spring, plant potatoes." “From Nikola, the average term for spring sowing” (these data correspond to the old style, that is, May 9). “Until Holy. Nicola is not this buckwheat, do not shear the sheep. " "The alder blossomed - this buckwheat."

The end of spring. The beginning of the Forerunner (from May 22 to June 10). There may be thunderstorms, rains. "Rain in May raises bread." Lilac blooms. Blooming yellow acacia, bare elm. In the gardens, the flowering of cherries, apple trees, plums, pears, berries. Blooming lilies of the valley, dandelions, forget-me-nots. The time of collecting dandelions for medicinal purposes, cooking medicinal jam.

What signs are associated with this day

Saint Nicholas is a very revered saint among Christians around the world. People have long believed that he takes care of and helps all wanderers, those who are far from home, sailors and travelers, and, of course, children.

In the whole year there are two big holidays dedicated to St. Nicholas, in the winter, December 19 - St. Nicholas Day, loved by adults and children, and in the summer - May 22.

The spring holiday, dedicated to the saint, has long had many names: Nicholas the Miracle Worker, Nicholas the summer, Nicholas the spring, Nicholas with warmth, Grassy day, Nicholas the merciful, sea ...

What can not be done

It is believed that on St. Nicholas Day you can’t do anything for yourself - only for those who need your help.

Nicholas must not be denied to anyone who asks you for help, otherwise for seven years you will suffer poverty, calamities and losses.

What to do, especially women

On this day, any work is welcomed: housework, housework, in the garden and vegetable garden.

The hostesses on this day tried to restore order in the house, in the morning they began to do the general cleaning, since the saint does not like mess.

Pay all debts, otherwise poverty and misery

By the day of St. Nicholas, they tried to repay all debts, otherwise it was believed that there would be no financial luck all year.

Good omen if it rains on Nicholas.

Morning dew on Nicholas is considered healing, they try to wash her face for beauty and health, walk barefoot on the grass.

It has long been believed that St. Nicholas patronizes lovers, so the newlyweds and those who were going to play a wedding asked for protection and help from the saint.

Unmarried girls wondered about her fiancé on this holiday and asked Ugodnik to send them a good groom, a good and faithful husband, a happy family life and children.

On this day there was a ban on picking up scissors, and now there is a sign not to get a haircut on Nikolai.

There is no post on this day. However, it was precisely on Nicholas Summer, or Veshniy (May 22), that the Orthodox people held religious processions - they went to the fields with icons and banners, performed prayers at the wells (they asked for rain).

By tradition, it is customary to give gifts to the “winter” Nikolai, that is, December 19th. In the spring, May 22, you can congratulate in words or send a postcard to a dear person.

The folk festival Nikola Veshniy is celebrated on May 22 (May 9, according to the old style). According to the church calendar, the transfer of the holy remains of St. Nicholas from Mir Lycian to Bari is celebrated on this day, the website reports. Spring and warm day was called in contrast to "Nicholas Winter", cold, which is celebrated on December 19.

Nikola Veshniy May 22: what absolutely can not be done

Saint Nicholas, aka Nicholas the Pleasant, aka Nicholas the Wonderworker, is one of the most revered saints among the people. He is considered the patron saint of sailors, merchants and children. During his lifetime, Nicholas became famous for his ability to reconcile the warring, to protect innocently convicted and to protect from unnecessary death. His name is known in all corners of the globe. In honor of the saint, temples, cathedrals and monasteries were called and continue to be called.

Bans on Nicholas Spring

On this day, each family outfitted single guys and escorted them to the field. They brought pies with buckwheat porridge with them. In the evening, girls joined them - and the fun began with songs and round dances. Bonfires were made in the area. No one went to bed for a long time. By the way, earlier Nikolin was considered the day the boys entered adulthood, so the adults no longer had control over them.

Of the customs associated with this date, one was strictly observed: to give alms to wanderers, the wretched, impoverished brethren: "Do not feed Nicolin the day of the hungry - you will be hungry."

Sayings and signs on Nicholas Veshniy

“Before Nicholas, be strong, at least scatter yourself, but live with Nicholas - do not bother.”
  - Father Nikola! Come on big rain! On our rye, on woman’s flax, pour a bucket on it!
  - What is the day on Nicholas vernal, such is the winter Nicholas.
  “If it rains the next day after spring, Nikola will be rainy all summer.”
  - From Nikola there are twelve cold matinees, if not in the spring, then until mid-September.
  - If flowers have blossomed on an alder - it is time to sow buckwheat.
  - If potatoes have not yet been planted, then it is pointless to do this - it will not have time to ripen and will not produce a crop.
  - In the swamps you can hear the croaking of frogs - the oats yield will be good.
  - Nicholas Winter horse will drive the yard, Veshniy - feed.
  “You will not feed hungry day on Nikolin — you will be hungry.”
  - Before St. Nicholas Spring should not swim.