3.3: Who is the Patron Saint of Winter?

In keeping with the spiritual side of the season... Like all other saints, we may know that each season has a Patron Saint... So, who is this Patron Saint of the harshest season of the year?

Answer:

The Patron Saint of Winter is St. Dimitar

History:

In folklore tradition, the day of St. Dimitar is said to be the day when the weather breaks and winter begins. According to traditional belief on this day the skies open up, after which we can expect the first snow. Dimitar is the patron saint of winter, cold and snow.

Life and Times of St. Dimitar.

In the Bulgarian folk beliefs Sv. Dimitar is presented as larger twin brother of St. George. Lifetime brothers parted, starting in the world in different directions. George he vowed that if seen from the eaves dripping blood, it means dead. After a while Dimitar saw a eaves dripping and went to Georgiev side of the world. There he found the dragon, which was eaten George. Dimitar clutching dragon and she gave him the soul of George. Then the two riding horses and flew to heaven. There he split the year in fraternal - for St. George summer and for winter St. Demetrius. Widespread is saying "St. George brings summer and Sv. Dimitar - winter". As a harbinger of winter and cold saint associated with the world of the dead. So about the festival is one of the largest Souls.

In the folk calendar Demetrius marks a turning point in the season and early winter. According to beliefs at midnight on the feast of St. Demetrius sky opens, then expect the first snow. The saint is considered patron of the winter cold and snow. On October 26 finishes traditional period - from St. George's to Demetrius, for employed seasonal workers - laborers and shepherds. Therefore, the feast of St. Demetrius is also called "disband". Most caring laborers cat owners donated new clothes, ram or lamb.

Dimitri is filled with predictions for the upcoming winter and year: If the moon is full - full will be the hive with honey and bees flock. The evening before the holiday, the shepherds threw in the pen a stick. If the morning the sheep were lying on it, it was believed that the winter will be long, hard and cold.

Characteristically and ritual divination on the first guest to walk home (polozajnik) good and wealthy Is the guest this will be the year.

An old custom of the name day walk uninvited and wear white flowers for the List to be good winter. The flowers are wrapped with scarlet thread to healthy nameday a year.

On Dimitri table is prepared sacrifice or stew of mutton stew with chicken - cock Name list if a man and a hen - if a woman. Serve and vegetables. Also on the table is put boiled corn, saving asks with apples or baked apples, treacle, pumpkin.