Saint Catherine's Day 2024: new date, traditions and what not to do

0

On November 22, the Christian church celebrates the day of St. Catherine. The Great Martyr is revered by both Western and Eastern Christians. Among Catholics, she is considered the patroness of learning and knowledge.

In the Eastern tradition, she is the patroness of pregnant women and marriage. Before the new church calendar of 2023 was adopted in Ukraine, the holiday was celebrated on December 7.

Saint Catherine is the patron saint of women named Kateryna. The day of the angel and the name day of Catherine are celebrated when it is also a church holiday – November 22.

Life of Saint Catherine

Saint Catherine was the daughter of the ruler of Alexandria, Egypt. The girl was extremely beautiful and intelligent. She loved knowledge and studied a lot. She knew the works of many writers and philosophers of that time, and also spoke several languages. But the girl refused to marry, wanting a groom who would surpass her in knowledge and intelligence.

One elder told her the mystery of Christian teaching. And after Catherine accepted the Christian faith, she had a vision in a dream where the Infant in the arms of the Virgin Mary turned to her.

Catherine became a very devoted Christian and even tried to convince the emperor of the wrongness of worshiping pagan gods. The emperor tried to turn Catherine away from Christianity, for her refusal he ordered her to be tortured. But this did not scare the girl, she herself put her head under the executioner's sword, remaining true to her beliefs.

Catherine's holiday: traditions, fortune-telling

In Ukraine, Catherine's Day is not only a church holiday. It also has folk traditions dating back to pre-Christian times. Ukrainian girls considered St. Catherine to be the patroness of women's destiny and love. They asked her for a happy marriage, love, harmony in the family. According to ancient Slavic rites, fortune-telling was done on Catherine's day for a loved one and they invoked their fate.

Single women and girls organized evening parties and went to invoke fate in the yard or even to the forest. The girls also put a cherry branch in the water. If the branch has blossomed, it means marriage. The well-being and health of relatives were also divined. Sprigs were placed in the water for each family member.

Parubka fasted on this day and asked that fate would give them a good wife. According to church customs, you should put a candle in front of the icon of the Martyr on Catherine's day and pray.

What you can't do on Catherine's day

Bad it is considered a sign to engage in hard work or needlework on a holiday. The people believed that if the weather is clear on Kateryna, the winter will be cold. And if it is cold, then the next year will be fruitless. If the stars in the sky are small, expect snowfall. You can also not eat meat, you should observe the Christmas fast that lasts during this period.