Folk signs for January 17th: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, signs and beliefs were given special importance. They were used to determine when to sow and harvest, when to prepare for winter, get married and go on a trip. Every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the signs for January 17th and the church holidays that fall on this date.
National omens for January 17, 2026
In the folk tradition, January 17 is the day of Zosima the Bee, the end of the Yuletide period. It was believed that this was one of the most dangerous days when evil spirits (witches, warlocks, kikimores) were especially active and sought to harm people. To protect themselves from it, a rite of "exorcism" was performed: men, wearing sheepskin coats with their furs out, with pokers, grips and torches, walked around courtyards, loudly knocking and making noise, scaring away evil spirits with fire and ringing.
On the holiday, beekeepers began to prepare for the coming season, praying for the well-being of the hives and a rich honey harvest. Housewives always prepared dishes with honey (gingerbread, porridge, pies), some of which were preserved until spring for symbolic "treats" for bees. It was a good tradition to appease pets by treating them with milk or a sugar stone to enhance the well-being of the whole family.
On the Zosima of the Bee-bed, the ancestors paid attention to various weather signs in the hope of finding out what spring would be like and how well the honey harvest would be. So, if a bright moon was visible in the sky on a holiday, they were preparing for the abundant flooding of rivers in the spring.
Other signs of the day
- a lot of snow on the trees leads to a rich honey harvest;
- a fox screams in the forest — to a blizzard and a strong wind;
- frost leads to prolonged cold weather;
- snowfall — there will be a lot of honey in spring and summer;
- Scarlet dawn — for windy weather;
- The clouds are floating low — towards the cold.
What not to do on January 17th
In order not to bring troubles, illnesses and losses to the house, prohibitions, many of which related to the behavior and treatment of animals, should be strictly observed on the day of Zosima Bee. On the holiday, cats, dogs and cattle were treated with special care — it was believed that cruelty and even a rude call could turn into illness or a series of failures for the owner.
What else can not be done on January 17th
- swearing and swearing, especially mentioning evil spirits, could "call" her into the house and bring discord, illness and financial losses.;
- brawl and sort things out — the conflict may drag on until spring.;
- throwing away honey and sweets — such disrespect for gifts, according to legend, could deprive a family of prosperity.
- going into the woods unless absolutely necessary — you can get lost.;
- To envy and gloat is to lose;
- drinking alcohol and appearing drunk on the street is believed to be an evil spirit that can easily take over such a person.
What is the church holiday on January 17th?
On January 17, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Zosima of Cilicia, who lived in the IV century. He became famous for his gift of taming wild animals — the saint lived peacefully in the desert with lions and other predators. One day, while hunting, the pagan ruler Dometian saw him. Upon learning that the elder was a Christian, he ordered the saint to be severely tortured. During the torment, the executioners mockingly demanded that Zosima, since he knows how to talk to animals, summon one of them. The saint prayed, and a huge lion ran to him, who began to support the stone tied to the martyr's neck with his paw. The amazed tormentors fled, and the ruler demanded the release of the saint, but he had already died.
Also, on January 17, the Council of the 70 Apostles is celebrated, dedicated to the closest companions of Christ and his 12 disciples. The holiday was established by the church to honor each of them equally. The 70 apostles were chosen by Jesus himself and sent to preach in all countries. They included many famous saints: Evangelists Mark and Luke, Timothy, a companion of the Apostle Paul, Prokhor, a disciple of John the Theologian, and others. They carried the light of the gospel all over the world, and many of them suffered persecution and martyrdom, laying the foundations of Christian communities all over the world.
Prayer for January 17th
Orthodox believers pray to Saint Zosima of Cilicia and the apostles from 70. They are asked for guidance in faith, help in difficult situations, protection from evil, and spiritual enlightenment.
Prayer to the Venerable Martyr Zosima of Cilicia
"O Most glorious Venerable Martyr Zosimo, the speedy helper and warm intercessor of all who flow to you, by your intercession before the Lord, beseech our Savior, may He turn our souls to repentance and correction, may He grant peace to our fatherland and the whole earth, and may He help all of us to be firm in the Orthodox faith and good deeds, may He The spirit of malice and wickedness and brotherly love will inspire us in the Phnas, and may we bear spiritual fruits: love, goodness, mercy, unfeigned faith, meekness and abstinence, and may our flesh be crucified on earth with passions and lusts and a living and walking spirit, and may we be worthy of eternal life in the world to come, and may the heavenly sweets ever be As we enjoy ourselves with you and with all the saints, let us glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Troparion to the Cathedral of the 70 Apostles
"Holy apostles, pray to the Merciful God, that He may grant remission of sins to our souls."
Kontakion to the Cathedral of the 70 Apostles
"We glorify the face of Christ's disciples divinely, faithfully, in songs, for we all know how to honor the Undivided Trinity, and the lamps of the Divine faith remain."
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs of the national holiday Gordeyev Day.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
