February 2 – Candlemas: what not to do today, traditions of the day
2 February 07:25
On February 2, according to the New Julian calendar, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine will celebrate Candlemas, one of the 12 major church holidays. It falls on the 40th day after Christmas and marks the meeting of the infant Jesus in the temple. Groundhog Day is also celebrated on this day, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
What church holiday is today
February 2 in the church calendar is Candlemas. The holiday was established in the 4th century. The first celebration took place in Jerusalem. At that time, it had a different name — 40 days after Epiphany.
The holiday quickly spread throughout the Roman Empire, and by the 6th century, it had become one of the most important.
The word “Stretenia” translates as “meeting.” The holiday is dedicated to the meeting of Jesus Christ with the righteous Simeon, who then recognized the child as the Savior of mankind.
This holiday is fixed, has a stable date in the calendar, and is celebrated on the 40th day after Christmas. Before the calendar reform and the transition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine to the New Julian calendar on September 1, 2023, it was celebrated on February 15.
Holiday traditions
In churches, candles are blessed (often called Stritensky candles), and some people also take water as a sign of protection and support.
In everyday life, it’s simple: the candle is kept and lit when you want to calm down, pray, or “warm up” your home in a difficult moment.
Groundhog Day
February 2 is Groundhog Day in Ukraine and around the world.
It is an unofficial but very popular holiday in the United States and Canada.
Traditionally, on this day, people watch the groundhog: if it sees its shadow and hides back in its burrow, winter will last for about six more weeks; if there is no shadow, spring will come early.
The most famous “forecaster” is Phil the groundhog from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, around whom a festival is held every year.
What not to do on this day
It is not recommended to sew, knit, or embroider.
Any work is prohibited, except that which serves people.
You cannot swear, quarrel, or use foul language.
Folk omens
Our ancestors had many interesting omens for this day:
- they looked at what kind of day it was: if the weather was cloudy, they expected severe frosts
- a snowy day — there will be a lot of rain in the spring, and the spring itself will be long
- a clear and quiet day — a good harvest and swarming bees
- if there was a thaw, spring would come late, so it would be a while before they could go out into the fields.
The people called this day “Gromnitsa” and associated it with the meeting of winter and spring. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the weather on Candlemas, as it will be the same in spring.
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