Who has a name day today – ᐉ News from Fakti.bg – Curious

On this day, the Christian church celebrates the Jewish prophet St. Jeremiah, a passionate denunciator of the vices of his countrymen and a prophet.

He foretold that Jerusalem would be conquered by Nebuchadnezzar, and his people would be scattered around the world to suffer their sins in bondage.

It is also his prophecy that God will send his son and heir to earth.

Rites and traditions

However, it was once believed that the king of snakes came out on May Day. Jeremiah, Herminden, Irma, Hermione was known as the Feast of Serpents.

Everyone marked it so they wouldn’t be bitten by a snake. Expectant mothers have especially revered this day to protect themselves from irmination.

This is what they called the unknown diseases caused by evil eyes and forces. Fires were lit, cans were rattling, spells were cast: “Run away, serpents and lizards, for Jeremiah is early, he will bind you with ropes, he will fasten you with straps!”

Women made wreaths of tansy and placed them on the gates to protect the home from evil. The girls and boys competed over who would collect more wild garlic because of its magical power.

The bottom is a clay pot for baking bread. On this day a ritual preparation of such vessels is performed. The women changed into new clothes, adorned themselves with special grass-glue.

They dug clay soil with their fingers. It was mixed with tow, fur and chaff. They kneaded all this with their feet and sang songs. Everyone had to get at least a little dirty with this mixture, so as not to be bitten by a snake during the year.

The oldest woman made an odd number of trays. These vessels were believed to intercept magical power. The morning dew gathered in a cup and was drunk for health.

In some parts of Bulgaria they collected already blooming herbs and flowers, put them in water. They washed their hair with this water to protect themselves from headaches during the year.

Elsewhere in our country, they ritually stole straw from neighboring yards. The stolen straw was secretly scattered around the house to drive away the fleas.

On this day, forecasts were made for the weather in January, February, March and April of the following year. If it rains on Jeremiah, these months will be snowy, and if it is foggy during the summer months, people would expect hail.

Our Bulgarian ancestors have found wonderful ways to honor the saddest prophet. May this saint protect us not only from snakes, but also from people with snakes instead of hearts.

On this day name day is celebrated by: Maya, Maya, Epmena, Epmelina, Epmenko, Tamara

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