On December 15, according to the new church calendar, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine celebrates:
- Day of Saint Stephen, Confessor and Archbishop of Sourozh
- Cathedral of the Crimean Saints
This holiday symbolizes honoring all the saints who brought the Christian light to Crimea, including the Apostle Andrew the First-Called, Saint Clement, Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Volodymyr, Saint Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky), and many others.
The story of Saint Stephen
Saint Stephen was born in Cappadocia at the end of the 7th century. He was distinguished by his deep faith, studied in Constantinople and was ordained Archbishop of Sourozh. For his resistance to the iconoclastic heresy, Stephen was imprisoned, but he remained unconquered. He is popularly considered the patron saint of the city of Sudak, and his prayers heal and give hope.
Cathedral of the Crimean Saints
The celebration of the Council of Crimean Saints was established in 1988, on the millennium of the baptism of Rus. Saint Andrew the First-Called brought Christianity to Crimea in the 1st century, and later numerous saints appeared here, whose exploits glorified this land.
Signs and traditions of Stephen's Day
What do the signs portend:
- A lot of snow means a good harvest in the summer.
- Frosty patterns on the windows - to early spring.
- Crows circle above houses - to bad weather.
- The cat sleeps all day - expect a harsh winter.
This day has always been associated with severe frosts among the people, hence the saying: "It's so cold on Stefan's Day that birds freeze in flight."
What to do on December 15:
- Pray to Saint Stephen for health and healing.
- Help the needy, give alms.
- Take care of birds by installing bird feeders.
What to avoid on this day:
- Quarrels, backbiting and envy.
- Laziness and alcohol abuse.
- Complaining about the cold was believed to bring illness.
Angel Day December 15
Name days according to the new style are celebrated by: Alexander, Vasyl, Hilarion, Stepan, Pavlo.
According to the old style - Stepan, Andriy, Mykola, Ivan, Volodymyr, Kirill, Margarita, Serhiy.
On this day, it is important to congratulate loved ones celebrating their birthday, wishing them health and well-being.
Church holiday in the old style
According to the Julian calendar, December 15 marks the memory of the holy prophet Habakkuk, one of the 12 minor prophets of the Old Testament.
The feast of St. Stephen's Day reminds us of the importance of maintaining faith, charity, and good deeds in daily life.
