Folk signs for December 14: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, omens have been given special importance since ancient times. They were used to judge the weather, when to sow and harvest, and what to expect in the future. Therefore, every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the popular signs of Sunday, December 14, and which church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for December 14, 2025
In Russia, Naum Day, also known as Naum Gramotnik, was celebrated on December 14. This day was associated with the beginning of teaching literacy to peasant children. Traditionally, field and household work was completed by the beginning of December, which created ideal conditions for studying. In the morning, the peasants went to church and prayed for diligence for the future student.
Then a teacher was invited into the house, usually a parish sexton or a monk. The child was handed over to a mentor with instructions to teach "mind-to-mind" and severely punish for laziness. The student made three bows to the teacher, who responded with three symbolic blows with a whip or a rod. This ritual signified a willingness to learn. After the first lesson, the teachers presented a loaf of bread, simple food, and sometimes money wrapped in an embroidered towel.
Observing nature on December 14th, our ancestors made a forecast for the coming days and long winter months. Animals were important weather predictors. So, if the hares on Nauma stayed close to human habitation, then the day promised to be clear and frosty. And the muffled barking of a dog foreshadowed snowfall.
Other signs of the day:
- The wind blows from the north, leading to severe and prolonged frosts.;
- It's snowing in large flakes, leading to blizzards and snowstorms;
- clouds are floating low, close to the ground, leading to a sharp cold snap;
- The stars in the sky seem very bright and shimmer — the frosts will become stronger.;
- A reddish circle is visible around the moon, indicating heavy snowfall.;
- frost has fallen — there will be frequent and abundant dews in summer.
What not to do on December 14th
Today, there was a set of strict prohibitions, primarily regarding actions that could scare away luck, deprive of newly acquired knowledge or "cloud" the mind. For example, it was strictly forbidden to brag about academic success or to compliment a person on his mind, so as not to inadvertently "jinx". It was also forbidden to read while eating. It was believed that in this way you can "overeat" everything you have learned, and knowledge will not be assimilated.
What else can't be done on December 14th:
- disdainful handling of books (scattering, spoiling, painting) leads to problems in studies;
- leaving a book open after reading it is believed that evil forces can "carry away" the knowledge gained.;
- Looking in the mirror immediately after reading or studying will make everything you've learned disappear from your mind.;
- doing needlework (sewing, knitting) can "stitch up" your memory and deprive you of memories.
What is the church holiday on December 14th?
On December 14 (December 1, Old Style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the holy Prophet Nahum, one of the twelve minor Old Testament prophets who lived in Galilee in the 7th century BC. His name means "comforter" in translation, becoming a symbol of wisdom, prudence and compassion for believers.
Little information has been preserved about the prophet's life, but the "Book of the Prophet Nahum", which is part of the Old Testament, has come down to our days. It contains a prophecy about the death of the capital of the Assyrian kingdom, Nineveh, for lawlessness, idolatry and blasphemy against God. This prophecy was soon fulfilled: Nineveh was destroyed by the armies of the Medes and Babylonians. According to legend, the prophet Nahum died at the age of 45 and was buried in his homeland.
The righteous Filaret the Merciful lived in the 8th century in Asia Minor. He came from a noble and wealthy family. His main virtue was non-greed and mercy. Remembering the words of the Savior about mercy to "these little ones" and that "we will bring nothing into the world and take nothing out of it," Filaret generously helped those in need and organized meals for the poor, for which he received the nickname the Merciful.
Filaret died peacefully in about 792 at the age of 90 and was buried in the monastery of the Court of Rodolphe in Constantinople. Later, a church in Jerusalem and several chapels in Russia were consecrated in the name of the saint.
Prayers on December 14th
In Russia, the prophet Nahum was revered as the patron saint of intellectual labor, often addressing him with the words: "Father Nahum, bring it to mind." They pray to the saint for help in teaching, giving diligence to children, and wisdom for teachers and mentors. The righteous Filaret the Merciful is asked to strengthen faith, family well-being, charity and help to the poor, as well as the virtues of non-greed.
Prayer to the Learned Literate
"Oh, the most laudable and most prodigious prophet of God Naum! Hear us, sinners and worthless, who at this hour stand before your holy icon and fervently seek your intercession. Pray to God, the Lover of mankind, for us, that He may give us a spirit of repentance and contrition for our sins, and by His omnipotent grace help us to forsake the ways of wickedness, and to help us in every work with grace, that He may strengthen us in the struggle against our passions and lusts; that He may plant in our hearts a spirit of humility and meekness, a spirit of brotherly love and kindness, a spirit of patience and chastity, a spirit of zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of others. <...> Turn away from us, most holy prophet, through your intercession the righteous wrath of God, and deliver all the cities and towns of our kingdom from idleness and gladness, from terrible storms and earthquakes, from deadly plagues and diseases, from the invasion of enemies and civil strife swearing. Strengthen the Orthodox people with your prayers, and help them in all their good deeds and endeavors to establish peace and righteousness in their kingdom.<...> Yes, if we live in this world in peace and piety, we will be worthy to partake of eternal blessings in the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who is worthy of honor and worship, with His Beginningless By the Father and the Most Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer to Filaret the Merciful
"Oh, dear God's chosen one, Filaret the Merciful! <...> To her, holy servant of God, do not despise us, who are tormented by the sorrows of life and overwhelmed by sinful passions. All our days, despondency and cowardice shake our faith, hardness of heart and bitterness consume our hearts and cool our love; ambition and impatience corrupt our souls, and we live like beggars in good deeds. But you, righteous Father, being merciful to us, beseech Christ God, that He may enrich our hearts with His Holy Spirit, heal our mental and bodily ailments, and, like a thirsty field, give us to drink with the bounty of His love for mankind; that we may imitate faith, longsuffering, and mercy, and live in piety and purity all the days of our lives. We also pray to you, Most blessed, when our departure from life is necessary, encourage us to sincere repentance, so that through His holy Mysteries we may partake of Christ our Savior and be heirs of the Kingdom of heaven, so that in the joy of saints and angels we may be worthy to worship and hymn the Trisagion Name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told us what they pray to the Apostle Andrew the First-Called.
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Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
