On December 7, Orthodox Christians commemorate two saints: Ambrose of Milan according to the new style and Catherine of Alexandria according to the old calendar. This holiday is filled with spiritual meaning, signs, and traditions that have been preserved in folk culture.
What holiday is today in the new style?
In 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine switched to the new Julian calendar, so the date of the feast of Ambrose of Milan has shifted. He is now commemorated on December 7 instead of the 20th.
Saint Ambrose was a bishop of Milan (modern Milan) and lived in the 4th century. He was born into an aristocratic family, but chose to serve God, giving away all his possessions to the church. Ambrose left behind a rich legacy of theological works and became known as one of the greatest preachers of Christianity.
The saint is considered the patron saint of teachers, singers, and preachers. Believers turn to him in prayers for health, especially for children.
What a holiday in the old style
Those who continue to follow the Julian calendar today honor Saint Catherine of Alexandria, one of the most revered great martyrs. She is considered the patron saint of brides, mothers, and pregnant women.
Signs of the day
People call December 7 “Abrosimov Day.” Traditionally, people paid attention to the weather on this day:
- Clear sky - winter will be frosty.
- Heat and slush - no frosts expected for another 10 days.
- The sky is dotted with stars - to snowfall.
What not to do
The Church forbids swearing, envy, quarrels, and laziness. One should also not be overly cheerful or excessively sad, in order to avoid 40 days of bad luck. According to popular belief, girls should not wash their hair - this can bring a year of loneliness.
What can be done?
This day is considered auspicious for prayers to Saint Ambrose. It is also customary for people to begin preparations for Christmas - cleaning the house and checking the preparations.
Angel Day December 7
Name days in the new style are celebrated by:
- Alexander, Alexey, Grigory, Eugene, Catherine, Ivan, Mark, Mikhail.
According to the old style, the following names are added to this list: Porphyry, Mitrofan.
