On May 22, 2022, all Orthodox Christians will celebrate St. Nicholas Day. This is a great holiday for all Orthodox Christians. However, St. Nicholas Day is celebrated not only by the Orthodox. The holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is also called St. Nicholas Day and the holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Church holiday May 22, 2022 - St. Nicholas Day, St. Nicholas Day. The folk calendar reminds us that, according to tradition, two days are celebrated in honor of St. Nicholas the Pleasant: the first - in winter, December 19 (this day is called the holiday of St. Nicholas the Winter) and in the spring - St. Nicholas of the Spring, May 22.
Nicholas the Wonderworker is a great saint. He is known and revered not only in Russia, but also in Western Europe. There is an opinion that Nicholas the Wonderworker is the most revered saint in Rus'. It is no coincidence that the Russian Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker every Thursday.
St. Nicholas Day in May 2022: what kind of holiday is it
The Day of Spring St. Nicholas is celebrated at the end of May, on the 22nd (May 9 according to the Julian calendar). According to the Russian Orthodox calendar, the holiday in honor of the memory of the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas falls on the day when spring and summer traditionally meet.
Therefore, in addition to the names Nikola Summer and Nikola Spring, the day of St. Nicholas the Ugodnik on May 22 is also called Grass Day, Warm Day or Nikola with Warmth.
The veneration of Saint Nicholas in Rus' began several decades after the establishment of Orthodoxy, in the 11th century. For a long time, the role of Nikolai Ugodnik was considered one of the most important in Russian traditions. This saint was revered as the favorite of God, who was at His right hand.
Therefore, according to tradition, on St. Nicholas Day, peasants could ask the Pleasant for everything that they would ask God for.
Many churches were erected in honor of the saint. Nikola Ugodnik was asked for a prosperous marriage, they turned to him with prayers for travelers, sailors, and for deliverance from slander. To this day, the Orthodox Church glorifies St. Nicholas every Thursday along with the apostles.
Nikolai Ugodnik (Wonder Worker) was famous for his great mercy. He forgave even those people who committed a terrible sin. The main thing is that the person deeply repents of the committed act. It was not by chance that Saint Nicholas received the name of the Wonderworker.
It is believed that Nicholas the Wonderworker can save not only from diseases and damage, but also protect from any troubles.
The thing is that he became famous as a miracle worker. What miracles did he perform? Saint Nicholas gave prayers and through his prayers miraculous healings from the most terrible diseases took place.
Orthodox Christians, well acquainted with the life story of Nicholas the Wonderworker, claim that he was able to revive the dead.
As various scriptures say, Nikolai Ugodnik was able to calm the storm at sea. And the sailors who read the prayers of St. Nicholas the Pleasant were saved from a shipwreck. And even when Saint Nicholas died, prayers to him were addressed to those praying with miracles.
Here are the most striking epithets that Orthodox Christians in Russia use when speaking about St. Nicholas the Pleasant: a quick and merciful helper to the suffering, an unmercenary and a benefactor.
Nicholas the Pleasant not only forgave everyone, thereby showing his boundless mercy, but also stood up for the offended and oppressed, and rebelled against injustice.
Story
Saint Nicholas is a great saint of God, a saint and a miracle worker. He died in the middle of the 4th century. His name is known in all corners of the globe. Temples, cathedrals, and monasteries were and continue to be named in honor of the saint. It is difficult to find a city in Russia that does not have St. Nicholas Church or the Church of St. Nicholas.
The relics of the saint were kept in the Lycian Cathedral until difficult times came in Greece at the end of the 8th century. The Turks constantly ravaged its territories, plundered and burned cities, and desecrated holy places. They sought to destroy the remains of St. Nicholas, whom all Christian people deeply revered.
In 1087, residents of the city of Bar came to Myra specifically to take the relics of the saint. To do this, they had to tie up the monk guards. On May 8, the ship arrived in the city, and the next day the saint’s relics were solemnly brought into the Church of St. Stephen, where they remain to this day.
Feast of St. Nicholas the Summer in Christianity: the meaning of the holiday
Since ancient times, it was believed that on Grass Day, spring, finally losing ground, meets summer. The sun no longer warms gently, its rays become truly burning.
After Nikolin's day it was usually a hot time. In Rus', St. Nicholas Day was highly anticipated; this holiday was of great importance for the Orthodox. Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker was close to God and was considered one of his favorites.
In some villages, people even created special prayers in honor of Nicholas. In their prayers, they directly addressed the Saint, asking him for protection and patronage.
By and large, the prayers addressed to Nikola Letny were practically no different from the prayers that were said in honor of the Lord. However, these prayers were never approved by the church canon.
Nikola Letniy: traditions and customs of the holiday
On the night before the holiday, families baked a treat consisting of pies and porridge, and large bonfires were lit in the fields. This was done before driving the cattle to summer pastures and was a kind of ritual that protected living creatures from harm.
On St. Nicholas Day, peasants performed a ritual that protected livestock from the encroachment of wolves. They did this with a sharp knife, which they stuck into the threshold of the house or into the table.
They put a stone in the oven, which they covered with a pot, and said the words of the conspiracy: “My little cow, nurse and waterer, stay at home, don’t show your nose, and the hungry wolf bite your sides, and don’t look at my cattle.”
Our ancestors went out into the field early in the morning and washed themselves with dew. This tradition protected from adversity and illness, increasing health for the whole year.
After washing with dew, people went to their homes, stood facing the sun and asked Nikola for a rich harvest, prayed and praised the Wonderworker, who listened to everyone’s requests.
Traditionally, on St. Nicholas Day, everyone in the family did something useful. Work and prayers were considered a good sign. The ancestors believed that Nikola Letniy watches over everyone and notes diligent and hardworking people, helping them overcome difficulties.
After visiting the church, the peasants washed themselves in the bathhouse, offered prayers to the saint, and then put on clean clothes and bowed three times, making the sign of the cross, saying: “Father Nikola, turn your gaze to my family, protect them from harm. Help us with our work so we can live the winter carefree.”
Each housewife began general cleaning so that the house was clean and attracted the attention of the saint. On this day, the cattle received many delicacies, they were groomed, thorns and insects were removed, they were cleaned and the bedding was changed.
The chickens were allowed to peck porridge cooked with butter so that they would lay eggs and not get sick. To protect poultry, men drove poles decorated with strips of multi-colored fabrics into the ground.
This tradition, according to beliefs, provided protection from predators who tried to get to the settlements in order to feast on available prey.
We ended the celebration of St. Nicholas of the Summer with a family dinner. Numerous relatives gathered at the table and were treated to what God had sent.
On St. Nicholas the Wonderworker's Day, requests for help are never refused. It is believed that refusal brings seven years of troubles to the family, so everyone considered it their duty to give to the poor and needy.
This was done not so much out of fear of misfortune, but out of one’s own free will. Nikolai Ugodnik always helped those in need, and believers tried to adhere to the same behavior.
Signs and rituals on St. Nicholas Day
Folk signs for St. Nicholas of the Summer
- If during the pre-summer period (05/22-10/06) there was damp and windy weather with showers and thunderstorms, it means that Nikola Letniy is favorable, and at the end of summer it will be possible to reap a rich harvest. Such weather was a particularly favorable sign for the wheat harvest.
- If the croaking of frogs was heard on Nikola Veshny, it means that Mother Earth will bring generous gifts to people. Cereals and vegetables, fruits and berries will grow well.
- “The mercy of God” and “The sky sheds rain on the earth, raises rich grains” - this is what they said if it rains on St. Nicholas the Great. And such weather promised a happy life this year.
- It was believed that shearing sheep, planting potatoes and buckwheat on St. Nicholas Day would bring good luck in all matters, a rich harvest, and relief from troubles.
- According to one of the ancient signs, prayers addressed to the Lord and Saints on May 22 have great power. People can ask for healing from illnesses, addition to the family, meeting a soul mate, forgiveness of sins. Saint Nicholas, who was close to God, will definitely help!
- In order not to get sick all year, in the morning on St. Nicholas of the Summer, people with all their families went out into the field and washed themselves with dew. Then your health will be good and no illness will attach itself. Some stripped down to their underwear and rolled on the grass, which had dew on it. Thus, the whole body was washed with beneficial moisture.
- If Alder begins to bloom on May 22, then expect rapid financial well-being. It was believed that the family in whose yard the buds bloomed on this tree would not experience financial difficulties all year. There are cases when people after this found treasures, unexpectedly received an inheritance, and won a large sum of money.
Traditions on the holiday of St. Nicholas the Summer
Since Nicholas the Wonderworker is the patron and protector of couples in love, young girls at the dawn of May 22 prayed to the Saint that he would grant them a meeting with their soulmate. The unmarried girls asked Nikolai to send them a good husband, generous, handsome, hard-working, brave, kind.
Saint Nicholas is also the patron of animals, including sheep and horses. By St. Nicholas Day, the fresh grass in the fields had already grown sufficiently. Therefore, on the night of May 22, all owners of horses and sheep drove their cattle into the fields. The animals frolicked all night, ran, and nibbled grass. In Rus', this ritual was turned into a real spectacular show. Even today in some villages you can observe such an action. To prevent horses and sheep from running away, shepherds - young and physically strong men - were assigned to them.
In the evening, before the start of herding the animals, a special dinner was prepared for the shepherds, consisting of porridge and pies. Then fires were lit around the perimeter of the large field. Few of the villagers went to bed early, because everyone wanted to watch the animals being pastured. Parents allowed even small children to walk until midnight on this day. A little later, when the villagers went to their huts, the shepherds were joined by girls - unmarried residents of the village. Then the real party began with dancing, songs and fun games. It was believed that on this night young men and women entered adulthood, so older relatives did not particularly control the “ardent young hearts.”
In order for the harvest to be rich and the land to be fertile, at dawn people went out into the fields and vegetable gardens, stood facing the rising sun and performed a special ritual. They read prayers addressed to Nicholas the Wonderworker, asking him to protect their lands, for generous gifts, for a well-fed existence.
St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Day May 22: what to do
From the very morning of May 22, you should definitely go to church and pray.
On this holiday, you should try not to refuse those asking - be sure to give alms in front of the church. At the first rays of the sun, the owner of the house must get up before everyone else and walk around his house - this ritual protects the house from adversity.
Also on this day, it was customary to make peace, and they said: “Invite a friend to Nikolshchina, invite your enemy, both will be friends.”
In the old days, on the holiday of St. Nicholas, various transactions were carried out, contracts were concluded, because they were sure that on this day no one would cheat, since St. Nicholas the Wonderworker would punish the fraudster and restore justice.
Summer Nicholas 2022: what not to do on this day
On May 22, it was inappropriate to be sad, indulge in memories of past negative events, or be lazy. The only thing you should give up regarding housework is knitting and sewing.
It is undesirable to use scissors and other sharp objects (kitchen utensils and garden tools do not count).
It was believed that if a person refuses to help someone who turned to him, he and his family will experience need and fail for 7 years in a row.
Remember, helping the poor, orphans and everyone who asks is one of the rules of life that St. Nicholas always adhered to during his life.
On a warm day, it is also undesirable to deny children anything (within reason, of course). Nikolai Ugodnik is their patron, so all the children need to be given gifts.
It is not necessary to buy something expensive, let it be simple gifts, for example, souvenirs, toys or their favorite treats.
Traditionally, gifts were always placed under children’s pillows or hidden in socks, which were then hung on a rope over the stove (fireplace).
On Grass Day, it is inappropriate to indulge in riotous revelry. Dancing until you drop, heavy alcohol intoxication and loud chants are unacceptable. Also, clarification of personal relationships, much less quarrels, scandals, and fights, is not encouraged. Swearing on May 22 means inviting failure.
Nikola Summer is a holiday that is loved by many, especially children. This is a celebration dedicated to the end of spring and the beginning of the summer season. It is important to spend this holiday correctly, so that St. Nicholas fulfills all your wishes and becomes a patron and reliable protector for you and your family!
Who is Nicholas the Wonderworker, and why do the Orthodox treat him with special respect?
First of all, because Saint Nicholas, as he is also called, patronized sailors, merchants and children, and was also the protector of people who were undeservedly punished: all those innocently convicted. In the history of Christianity, this man gained fame as a people's guardian and comforter. The saint performed and showed the world many miracles: he saved the poor, healed the sick, and even raised the dead. For which he received the name Wonderworker among the people.
It is no coincidence that Christians still remember St. Nicholas the Wonderworker to this day. And they don’t just remember, but celebrate a day dedicated to his name twice a year: in late spring and autumn. It must be said that this is the only case of such a double Christian commemoration of one person.
Saint Nicholas in summer
It is known that Nicholas the Wonderworker (Saint) was born around 270 into a Christian family from the Greek city of Lycia. Nikolai’s uncle served as a bishop, so the boy’s passion for religion from childhood was not accidental. Later, it was his uncle who promoted his nephew to the priesthood and attached him to the local flock. Thus began the ministry of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker to the world and the laity.
He was merciful and attentive to people, their problems and sorrows. After the death of his parents, a considerable amount of their fortune was distributed by Nikolai to local beggars. What, however, this man did not talk about at all: he did alms secretly, without publicity and without attracting public opinion to his good deeds. Publicity in the modern understanding of the word was alien to him.
But good deeds (as well as bad ones), as they say, cannot be hidden in a bag: the news about this amazing, generous and humble man quickly spread throughout the area... And after his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the inhabitants of Lycia elected him as their bishop.
Nikolai Ugodnik thus accepted the rank of bishop, but this did not change his character and attitude towards his new flock. He remained the same meek, gentle and selflessly loving person, despite all their sins and imperfections. The only thing that Nicholas always struggled with and what he always opposed was heresy and paganism.
And even after his death, his holy relics, kept in the cathedral, exuded healing myrrh and continued to heal people.
Signs for the summer holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker on May 22
According to popular beliefs, both Nikolas - both winter (December 19) and spring - set the weather. They say that :
- Spring Nikola - with warmth, winter Nikola - with frost,
- If only Nikola would come, it would be warm.
- If the morning was humid and foggy, then you should wash yourself with dew: this promised a person health and a rich harvest for the earth.
- It is believed that by this day the oats should already be sown. They said: “Nikolsky’s oats are neither the farmer’s nor the horse’s,” that is, they were sown late and would be of no use.
- On St. Nicholas Day, the grooms drove the horses out into the field and served a prayer service. Then we rode horseback. so that the evil spirit does not have time to ride first, because if it starts to ride, according to its “black” nature, at night, it will drive the horse to death. If they noticed that the horse was shaking on this day, they immediately exclaimed: “Shoo, evil spirits!”
- They drove the horses out of St. Nicholas at night. Single guys gathered, they and their horses were escorted to the field by the whole village, and in the evening the girls came to the meadows - and fun began with songs and round dances.
- Previously, St. Nicholas of the Spring was celebrated as the boy’s entry into adulthood, and there was no supervision from elders on this day.
- Nikola spring with warmth.
- You can't swim until spring Nikola.
- Don’t boast about sowing on St. George’s Day, but rather boast about grass on Nikolin’s Day.
History of the celebration
Thanks to his good deeds, Nikola received the status of a saint. But both during his life and after his death, he continued to help people. Nicholas the Winter is the patron saint of sailors. He repeatedly resurrected sailors after death in the water. The salvation of the sailors is not the only miracle performed by the saint.
He helped
girls get married, protect children, are saved and are unfairly condemned.
St. Nicholas Day (December 19) began to be celebrated much later than the death of the Wonderworker, after the 10th century AD and. Later, during the Soviet Union, this date was forgotten. The holiday was canceled, since the purpose was to consign ancient customs to oblivion. After the collapse of the USSR, the atmosphere of the holiday on December 18-19 (Nikolina) returned.
Prayer to Saint Nicholas
O all-holy Nicholas, exceedingly saintly saint of the Lord, our warm intercessor, and everywhere in sorrow a quick helper, help me, sinful and sad, in this life, beg the Lord God to grant me the remission of all my sins, which I have sinned greatly from my youth, throughout my life. in my deed, word, thought and all my feelings;
and at the end of my soul, help me the accursed, beg the Lord God of all creation, the Creator, to deliver me from airy ordeals and eternal torment, so that I always glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession, now and ever, and forever and ever. Amen.
If you believe in miracles and you really, really need help or even a real miracle, pray to St. Nicholas - sincerely and strongly, with your soul, and he will definitely help you, if what you have planned is pleasing to God.
