Today, Orthodox Christians commemorate the memory of the holy great martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki, popularly known as the Myrrh-Bearer. His life was an example of courage, unwavering faith, and self-sacrifice in the name of Christ. In the folk calendar, this day is known as Demetrius Day — the border between autumn and winter, when people sum up the year and prepare for the cold.
Saint Demetrius was born in the second half of the 3rd century in the city of Thessalonica (now Thessaloniki, Greece) into a family of noble but secretly Christian parents. After their death, the young man not only inherited an estate, but also a faith, which he did not hide even when he became the military commander of Thessalonica under Emperor Maximian.
Demetrius openly preached Christianity, for which he was imprisoned. In prison, he blessed his disciple Nestor, who defeated the pagan Lias, the emperor's favorite, in a duel. Enraged, Maximian ordered both to be executed. Saint Demetrius was stabbed with spears around 306. Later, miracles began to occur at his tomb, and his relics exuded fragrant myrrh - hence his second name, Myrrh-Bearer.
What not to do on Dmitry
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It was not worth taking on heavy physical work - it was believed that this would cause fatigue and illness.
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It was forbidden to refuse help to those in need, because on this very day Saint Demetrius could appear in the form of a beggar, testing human charity.
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They don't start new things or plan weddings — they say: "We have to finish everything by Dmytro, because after Dmytro, winter is behind us .
Folk signs and traditions
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If it's warm on Dmytro, the winter will be mild.
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The snow has fallen - it will lie there until spring.
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Fog or cloudy weather portends a thaw.
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The rain promises a long but mild winter.
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The north wind is a sign of a cold winter.
Saint Demetrius Day was considered the threshold of winter. At this time, people completed autumn work, held the last fairs, thanked the land for the harvest, and asked Saint Demetrius for health, peace, and a good winter.
