December 19 marks the feast of the Orthodox Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. This saint is the most famous and most mentioned, and many traditions are associated with his day that change the fate of believers.

The story of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

This saint was born in the third century, in Greece, in rich family. His parents were rich, so Nikolai was able to get an education. Since childhood, he showed great interest in books, and faith in God passed to him from his parents. He prayed every day, devoting all his time to reading the Bible. His uncle, being a bishop, allowed him to read prayers in the temple of God. Thus, Nicholas, known in the future as the Wonderworker, became a clergyman.

History does not know many facts, and some of them are disputed. For example, the destruction of pagan temples is attributed to him, although this has not been proven. Also, many miracles and healings are associated with his name, not only during life, but also after death. By the way, after the death of his parents, he distributed everything they had acquired to those in need.

St. Nicholas Day

O all-praised, great wonderworker, saint of Christ, Father Nicholas!
We pray to you, awaken the hope of all Christians, protector of the faithful, feeder of the hungry, joy of the weeping, doctor of the sick, steward of those floating on the sea, feeder of the poor and orphans, and quick helper and patron of all, may we live a peaceful life here and may we be worthy to see the glory of God’s elect in heaven , and with them unceasingly sing the praises of the one worshiped God in the Trinity forever and ever. Amen.

On December 19, the repose of St. Nicholas and his reunion with Christ are celebrated, and in general in Christianity there are several holidays a year dedicated to this great man. Every year on this day prayers are read in all Orthodox churches. In this way, Christians pay tribute to his memory. Nicholas the Wonderworker is revered on a par with Jesus and Mother of God, although not as many facts are known about him as about other followers of the Lord who became saints.

Traditions of St. Nicholas Day

In the northern latitudes of Russia, since ancient times it was customary to slaughter a small bull, specially raised for this holiday, and hold a large feast. Some of the meat was donated to temples. But this was not done everywhere, because December 19 is the day of Lent. In some places they celebrated Nikolshchina, a feast for several days a week before the start of Lent.

IN modern world There is no need to set a sumptuous table. If you adhere to strict fasting, you can limit yourself to reading grateful prayers and very modest food on this day. However, even if you follow the rules of fasting, you can set the table, because these days there are many recipes for delicious, and at the same time quite ascetic, Lenten dishes.

The Wonderworker Nicholas is considered the protector of children and sailors, as many legends about miraculous rescues are associated with this, so on December 19 it is customary to read prayers for children and for God’s help when setting off on a long journey.

Folk signs for St. Nicholas of the Winter

By December 19, winter usually came into its own in our area. This time was cold and harsh, but the holiday was definitely celebrated. There are many folk signs and sayings dedicated to December 19th. So, it was believed that on this day or shortly before it there would definitely be a snowfall: “The snow will fall on Morozny Nikola.” On this day, severe cold could easily strike: “The sun is turning towards spring, and winter is gaining strength.” Nikolsky frosts were as strong as Epiphany frosts.

But heavy snowfalls promised the same abundant harvests and lush growth of grass: “As much snow on Nikola, so much grass in the spring.” A good sign Frost was considered on this day - it promised successful seedlings of cereals.

Of course, the climate has become unpredictable these days, but folk wisdom still alive to this day. Pay attention to the weather forecast on the 19th and don’t freeze in vain before New Year holidays. Nikola Winter is harsh, and if the scarf is not warm enough, New Year you'll have to check with a thermometer.

Folk signs for December 19:

• If winter covers its tracks before Nikolin's day, the road will not stand.
• Sadness on Nicholas Day brings severe frosts.
• If frost falls before St. Nicholas Day, there will be a good harvest of oats.
• Praise winter after Nikolin's day.
• As much as Nikola the Winter will give snow, so much Nikola the Spring will give herbs.

What not to do on St. Nicholas Day

December 19 falls during the Nativity Fast. On this day you can eat fish, but you cannot eat meat, eggs and other animal products.

On St. Nicholas Day you cannot lend. Our ancestors believed that the borrower, along with the money, could take good luck and luck out of the house.

Many people wonder whether it is possible to deprive on St. Nicholas Day? At this holiday Orthodox Church does not indicate any restrictions on household work. But according to folk customs, on this day you cannot do repairs, sew, or wash.

What to do on St. Nicholas Day

On this day, believers must definitely go to church and pray.

On December 19, it is best to start with the morning service.
Following the example of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, on this day it is necessary to help loved ones, give alms, but not advertise it.

According to folk tradition, on St. Nicholas Day, gifts are placed under the pillow, most often these are sweets: candy, chocolate, gingerbread. Gifts should be placed at night so that in the morning a person wakes up and finds a present from Nikolai under the pillow.

Our ancestors always had fun on St. Nicholas Day, held festivities, set a sumptuous table, and invited guests. This fun party, so December 19 should be spent in joy and fun.

In the church on December 19, the memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is honored. Many people have heard about him, but not everyone knows his story. The future saint was born into a wealthy family of aristocrats around the 3rd century in the city of Patara, located in Asia Minor. When he was still a child, the family moved to the port town of Mira, where Nikolai lived until a ripe old age.

Translated from Greek, the name Nicholas means “conqueror of nations.”

From childhood I studied Nicholas Holy Bible. He spent his days in the temple, and his nights in prayer. In matters of faith he was like an old man. Such service could not go unnoticed.

When the future saint was a young man, his neighbor went bankrupt, so as not to die of hunger, the man decided to sell his three daughters to a brothel. Having learned about this, Nikolai became concerned about the fate of the girls; in order to help them, he threw a bag of gold coins through their window at night.

After the death of Archbishop John, the question arose of who would take his place. One of the bishops had a prophetic dream. The vision said that this place should be taken by a young man who would be the first to visit the temple in the morning. And the name of this young man-Nikolai. And indeed, with the first rays of the sun, Nicholas entered the temple, who was later nicknamed the Wonderworker.

According to legend, the saint had a truly angelic face. A certain radiance emanated from him, like from the face of the prophet Moses.

For more than 1000 years, the relics of the saint have been in the Italian city of Bari. Sailors brought them here in 1087. In 1953, anthropologists opened the tomb of the saint. Research has shown that the iconographic image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker fully corresponds to his portrait.

St. Nicholas Day: traditions, customs and rituals

During this period, the frosts outside the windows, which are nicknamed Nikolsky, become stronger. In Rus', matchmaking began with Nikola the Winter. Those who dreamed of getting married prayed to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. They believed that prayer would help you meet your soulmate faster.

On December 19, it is customary to give gifts to children. Therefore, little family members look forward to the holiday with special impatience. From the very morning they looked under the pillow. Saint Nicholas gave sweets to those who behaved well during the year, and lozina to those who behaved badly.

The peasants treated this holiday with special trepidation. In the morning, people went to church, served a prayer service, and then returned home and set rich tables. One should not be sad on St. Nicholas the Winter; it is believed that sadness will lead to severe frosts.

In Rus' during this period, fairs were organized and grain and flour were sold at reduced prices. The price from almost all merchants was the same, so buyers did not worry that they would be deceived by inflating the price.

On St. Nicholas the Winter, it was customary for those who had quarreled to make peace. People gathered and had lavish feasts. They believed that Saint Nicholas, in the form of a gray-haired old man, descended to earth and performed miracles.

The Wonderworker is revered as a protector from various misfortunes and an assistant in good deeds. They pray to him for a change in fate, for work, for health and for marriage.

Prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, changing fate

This prayer helps change a person's life for the better. Don’t think that after reading it once, you will radically change your destiny. For prayer to have an effect, it must be treated correctly.

You need to read it every day for forty days. If you missed at least one day for some reason, then start reading the prayer again. You need to pray in a quiet place, preferably at home. Read the prayer while looking at the image of the saint.

Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker for help

If you are now going through a difficult period in your life, there are many problems that you cannot find solutions to, then ask St. Nicholas for help by reading a special prayer. It must be read in front of the icon of the saint, being completely alone.

Prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker for marriage

The saint Nikolai helps the girls arrange their destinies and meet a worthy groom.

Prayers to Nikolai Ugodnik for work

If you are looking for new job, then to achieve success you can read a special prayer to Nicholas. You can do this at home; you don’t have to go to church or learn the words by heart. If you wish, you can pray in your own words.

December 19: signs and beliefs

1. If frost appears, then next year a rich harvest of oats is expected.
2. If the day is frosty and sunny, then there will be a good harvest.
3. As much snow falls on Nikolai, there will be as much grass in the spring.
4. If the winter before December 19 was harsh, then from this day a thaw will begin, which will last until.
5. If she shackles for the winter, then she will unshackle on Nikolai.

A person born on December 19th, according to the horoscope is Sagittarius. These people are self-sufficient, know how to defend their opinions and go through life boldly. They are not afraid of difficulties and failures. Rhodonite and lapis lazuli are suitable for them as a talisman.

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Name day December 19

Signs for December 19

• If the weather is good and clear, then frost will soon come.
• What is the day on winter Nikola, so is it on summer Nikola.
• As much as winter Nikola gives snow, so much spring Nikola gives grass.
• It’s good on December 19 to make peace with someone in a quarrel and arrange rich feasts.
• What the weather is like today, this will be the day on May 22nd.
• As much snow as there is on December 19, there will be as much grass in the spring.
• If Nikola's day covers its tracks, the road will not stop from Nikola until Christmas (January 7).
• If it rains on this day - big harvest for winter crops.
• A frosty and clear day means a good harvest.
• If there is frost before Nikola, then you need to sow early barley, if later than Nikola, then late barley.
• The cricket behind the stove is crackling loudly - a sign of warmth and snowfall.
• If the wind blows from the south with a falling atmospheric pressure, then you should wait for warmer weather or snowfall.
• Large cattle On the way to a watering hole, he kicks and snorts - a sign of bad weather.
• There is frost in front of Nikola - the oats will be good.
• Frost on Nikola - for the harvest.
• Winter is hard on Nikola.
• Nikola will say that Yegory will pave the floor.
• If winter closes in on Michaelmas, then it will unshackle on Nikola.
• We carried the winter on a sled to Nikola, and here comes the thaw.
• The Nikolsky convoy is more expensive than gold for the boyar treasury.
• Winter covers Nikola's roofs with icy tar.
• If Nikola is cold and clear - for the grain-bearing year.
• This day was the deadline for various payments, transactions and business contracts.

Peasants in Rus' treated the holiday - St. Nicholas Day with special respect. From this day on, the frosts became stronger, and the time for matchmaking began. By folk signs On December 19, this day was called Nikolsky frosts. People who wanted to join the barque prayed to the saint.

Nikola was considered an intercessor against illnesses and troubles, as well as an assistant in good deeds.
On December 19, St. Nicholas, who lived in Asia Minor in the colony of Patara in the 3rd century, was commemorated in the church. He began preaching Christianity early and decided that he would serve the Almighty until the end of his days. Nikola studied the Holy Scriptures, constantly prayed and helped those in need. The Bishop of Patara, Nikolai’s uncle, first made him a reader and then a priest.

After the death of his parents, Nicholas distributed property to poor peasants. After a while, he accepted the rank of bishop in Myra. Nicholas fought against paganism all his life, so Christians considered him their main defender. According to folk signs on December 19, Nicholas is considered the patron saint of sailors, merchants and small children. Prayers were read to him to attract a rich harvest and during a trade transaction.

On December 19, the peasants went to church, prayed, and at lunchtime gathered tables with treats. It was not allowed to mope and cry on this day, otherwise the frosts would be even stronger. On December 19, bazaars and fairs were held, and bread was also sold. They tried to sell flour and grain at the same price - there was no competition in the sale.

On December 19, they set rich tables and made peace with each other. This Russian custom was called bratchina. It was believed that on this day Nicholas works miracles and walks around villages in the image of Frost. If the children behaved well, they would find gifts and sweets from St. Nicholas under the pillow. To family life turned out happily, I had to pray to Nikolai. This saint saw off the dead on their last journey, according to popular tradition on December 19th.

Folk signs for December 19

1. If there is a lot of snow on this day, then in the spring there will be a lot of grass
2. Frost lies on December 19 - for a good harvest next year
3. If the weather is frosty but clear, then a bountiful harvest is expected in summer
4. According to folk signs, the weather for December 19th was predicted for May 22nd next year
5. Anyone who was born on this day considers rhodonite and lapis lazuli to be their talisman stones
6. If the weather is clear and frosty on December 19, then the harvest is expected to be poor
7. If there is little snow that day, it will melt quickly

On December 19 of every year, the Orthodox Church celebrates the wonderful holiday of Saint's Day, celebrated on December 19, so you need to know the signs associated with it. People very often call this saint the winter St. Nicholas. Since ancient times, signs have appeared on winter Nikola December 19, which you will learn about below.

The saint is considered the patron saint of merchants and all sailors; he protects children from illnesses and accidents. In fact, this is not all that St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is capable of. You should contact this saint when you are going on a trip. It also helps in severe illness. To this day, it is believed that Nicholas the Wonderworker helps girls get married. The signs for St. Nicholas Day, which is celebrated on December 19, are quite interesting and, according to our ancestors, true.

Signs for Nikola - December 19

Before the night of December 18-19, many began to prepare for Christmas gatherings, which is why they sewed costumes in advance and looked for a widow’s house, because that’s where the parties were held.

1. If winter Nikola drives a horse into the yard, then spring Nikola will feed it.
2. The first severe frosts usually occur on Nikola.
3. If there will be frosts in winter before Nikola, then a thaw will come after.
4. If frost falls on Nikola, then the year will be fruitful.
5. It has long been believed that a lot of snow will definitely fall before Nikola.
6. As much snow as there will be on Nikola, there will be as much grass in the summer.

St. Nicholas is called the patron saint of destinies and the protector of all lovers, which is why this day is also called winter matchmaking. Previously, young people held Christmas gatherings with fortune telling:

On St. Nicholas's Day, the girls gathered in the widow's house and conducted fortune telling; a lot of people took part in them. They sang songs about the kind of life they wanted. The lyrics were short and varied life situations: wealth and poverty, good fortune and misfortune, wedding and so on.

For girls, Christmas gatherings were a very important activity. In order to find out what would happen in the future, the girls ran past the houses where the festivities were taking place. They poured oats under the windows and listened to the conversations at the table.

For this fortune telling it was necessary to take wedding ring from a woman who is already married and happily married. The ring should be rinsed with water and hung on a hair, after which it is lowered into a transparent glass half filled with water. If the ring hits the edge, it means that the girl will not get married. But if it rotates, it will come out.