January 8 - Monday
Day of midwives or feast of porridge. On this day the midwives and women in childbirth were celebrated. Women took their children and with gifts and congratulations went to midwives, who helped them during childbirth. Those, in turn, treated the guests to porridge. At the same time, a custom was born: women came to church with pre-baked pies to present them to the Mother of God. The midwife in any village was highly respected. The midwife was called because she was able to properly "twist" a newborn baby with diapers so that he would not break away and sleep peacefully. Midwives were experts on women's and mother's concerns. No wonder they said: "Grandma is like - will help the whole thing". They also noted their skill: "Every grandmother has his own potholes." On the occasion of the holiday, there is another saying: "Everyone goes on a spoon with a spoon - a full scoop of a family will not be dispersed". This meant that the customs of this day were aimed at strengthening the family. It was from this day began maiden divination, which lasted until the very Baptism. Guessing was made accompanied by special songs or in complete silence. The main subjects of divination were the wedding, death and harvest. Over time, the ritual essence of fortune-telling has practically lost, and on the first place came their entertainment side. And nowadays many girls are happy to guess "on the subject". Later, the Orthodox Church celebrated on this day the feast of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin. And yet, not so far away, my mother gathered children in the evening and taught them to glorify Christmas, sprinkle with grain - for a long time, fortunately, for well-being. It was simpler to give a pie on a slice of a pie at a festive hour, to pamper the children with cranberries on honey. But my mother knew: "Not in every house loaf is baked, moreover, that the whole family is full". And now the children had to deserve a treat, to swallow the whole child's world equally and syuti, and sweets. "Give the cow, the buttered head, on the bottom of the liver, the cow's gilt!". And in the children's box from every house, they took out both the big bucks and the bride-girls a ceremonial cookie, which in its appearance is akin to cattle. And the children were cheering: "You, my hostess, give! You, otdiushka, serve! Give it - do not break it! Break off a little - there will be Yermoshka. Break off the crust - there will be Andrew. And you put the middle - to be a wedding! ". And so the child's box became heavy. And the crowd of slavliners fled to someone's heated bathhouse, shared a treat. It was a joyful time of games, fun. The children recognized each other and were childishly childish, remembering this winter wonderful time.
Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Ginaikratia - women's festival in Greece
1851 Physicist Jean Foucault proved that the Earth is spinning