Nikola Letny's Day is one of the most revered Christian church holidays. The celebration is timed to the day of the transfer of the relics of Saint Nicholas to the city of Bari, located in Italy. In Orthodoxy, Nicholas the Wonderworker is considered the patron saint of children, couples in love, soldiers, merchants, traders. In addition, the saint is also the protector of people who have been undeservedly punished.

Every year this holiday is celebrated on the same day - May 22 in the new style (May 9 according to the Julian calendar). The name "Nikola Letniy" is the most common. However, the celebration has many other names: Nikola, Nikola Veshny, Nikola the Holy Hierarch, Summer Day, St. Nicholas, Nikola with warmth, Grassy day, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Warm day.

Nicholas the Wonderworker is the protector of all the persecuted and offended, the helper of the poor, as well as the patron saint of seafarers and the protector of the family hearth. It is known that the saint more than once came to the aid of those in distress on the water, calming storms with the power of prayer.

As for family happiness, a whole story from the life of Nicholas the Wonderworker is connected with it. One ruined city dweller decided to improve his affairs by giving his daughter for a rich groom. But, as usual, the rich man's relatives were against unequal marriage. Learning of this, Saint Nicholas helped arrange the girl: he secretly threw a purse with gold through the window and provided the bride with a good dowry.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker occupied special place in the life of the Orthodox, therefore, many customs and rituals are associated with the holiday in his honor. What, according to tradition, needs to be done on this day?

Traditions on the holiday of Nikola Letny

To avoid misfortunes throughout the year, on May 22 ritual dinners are held in honor of the Wonderworker: it is imperative to feed the poor, crippled, vagrants. Only after that a big dinner for relatives is "organized".

Since Nicholas the Wonderworker is the patron saint and protector of couples in love, young girls at dawn on May 22 prayed to the saint that he would grant them a meeting with their soul mate. Unmarried girls asked Nikolai to send them a good husband, generous, handsome, hard-working, brave, kind.

Saint Nicholas also patronizes animals, including sheep and horses. By the day of St. Nicholas Summer, fresh grass in the fields has already grown enough. Therefore, on the night of May 22, all the owners of horses and sheep drove their cattle into the fields. The animals frolicked all night, ran, nibbled grass. To prevent the horses and sheep from scattering, shepherds were assigned to them - young and physically strong men.

In the evening, before the start of the pasture of animals, a special dinner was prepared for the shepherds, consisting of porridge and pies. Then bonfires were lit along the perimeter of the large field. Few of the villagers went to bed early, because everyone wanted to watch the pasture of animals. Parents allowed even small children to walk that day until midnight. A little later, when the villagers dispersed to their huts, girls joined the shepherds - unmarried residents of the village. Then began a real walk with dances, songs and fun games. It was believed that on this night young men and women entered adulthood, so the older relatives did not particularly control the "hot young hearts".

In order for the harvest to be rich and the land to be fertile, at dawn, people went out into the fields and gardens, stood facing the rising sun and performed a special ceremony. They read prayers to Nicholas the Wonderworker, asking him to protect their lands, for generous gifts, for a well-fed existence.

Nikolin's day is an important date in the agricultural calendar (the saint is a kind of "heir" to the pagan god Veles - the patron saint of agriculture and domestic animals). Therefore, this day is the most favorable for sowing spring crops: it is believed that there will be no more frosts harmful to plantings, and the harvest will go uphill. Also, it is on May 22 that you can already plant cucumbers. Interesting to know. If it rains on Nikola, the harvest will be rich and will delight all the owners.

It is believed that dew, as well as water from springs and wells, gains life-giving power and if you wash or drink it, you will not get sick all year round.

To increase prosperity, on St. Nicholas's Day, you need to bring home a candle from the church, get the wick, set it on fire from both sides, quickly pronounce spell words and extinguish the wick.

Fire is eternal, and my spirit is marked with gold, silver and every good thing. Amen.

Put the wick in your wallet or wherever you have your money.

How to behave correctly and what to do on the holiday of Nikola Letny?

In order for happiness to smile throughout the year, May 22 must be spent in prayers and caring for the family, home, cattle. It is desirable that all household members, young and old, be busy with useful things.

In the morning and in the evening, it is advisable to pray to Nikolai Veshny and the Lord. You can ask God and the saint about everything that you need. If your prayers are sincere and you really deserve what you ask for, you will definitely be rewarded.

On this day, you need to start sowing some crops. As a rule, buckwheat and potatoes were planted. It was believed that after the day of Nikola Letny, it was pointless to engage in their disembarkation. Firstly, there will be no decent harvest, and secondly, crops will not have time to disfigure.

In the morning, after going to church and praying, it is advisable to go to the bathhouse, bathe well and change into clean or even new underwear. Outerwear should also be washed and ironed. During the bathing process, you can read a prayer.

From the very morning, the hostesses were engaged in general cleaning of the house, the backyard territory, non-residential outbuildings where the cattle were kept. The animals were heavily fed with various delicacies. Artiodactyls and ruminants were grazed, the rest of the animals were walked.

Unmarried girls and unmarried guys changed into beautiful outfits after the bath. The guys put on shirts embroidered with gold, wide linen pants of light color, tied with satin belts. The girls dressed up in long sundresses, and tied multi-colored scarves on their heads or wore wreaths with ribbons.

After field work and entertainment, all family members had to gather at the table to enjoy a festive dinner. There are no special recommendations for the dishes on the table. We ate everything that God sent. Usually it was unassuming food: milk, pancakes, chicken eggs, cheese, porridge, boiled potatoes, bacon and all kinds of dishes made from the listed products.

What can not be done on Nikola Letniy?

On May 22, it was useless to be sad, to indulge in memories of past negative events, to be lazy. The only thing worth giving up regarding household chores is knitting and sewing.

It is undesirable to use scissors and other piercing-cutting objects (kitchen utensils and garden tools do not count).

It was believed that if a person refuses to help the one who turned to him, he and his family will feel the need and fail for 7 years in a row. Remember, helping the poor, orphans and all those who ask is one of the rules of life that St. Nicholas always adhered to during his lifetime.

It is undesirable to deny anything (of course, within reasonable limits) to children. Nikolai the Pleasant is their patron, so all the children need to be given gifts. You don't have to buy something expensive, just simple gifts like souvenirs, toys, or their favorite treats. According to tradition, gifts were always placed under the pillow for children or hidden in socks, which were then hung on a rope over the stove (fireplace).

It is inappropriate to indulge in violent revelry. Dancing until you drop, strong alcoholic intoxication and loud chants are unacceptable. Also, clarification of personal relationships is not welcome, and even more so quarrels, scandals, fights. To swear on May 22 means to incur failure.

Nikola Summer is a holiday that many people love, especially kids. This is a celebration dedicated to the end of spring and the beginning of the summer season. It is important to spend this holiday correctly, so that St. Nicholas will fulfill all your wishes, become a patron and reliable protector for you and your family!

Every year on December 19, believers glorify the memory of Nicholas the Wonderworker - the great Pleasant of God, famous for many good deeds, mercy and compassion for one's neighbor, selflessness and righteousness. The miracles performed by the saints did not stop even after the completion of his life path.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker is one of the most revered saints in Russia. The day of his memory is celebrated twice a year: on August 11, the church celebrates his birth, on December 19 - honors the day of his death. The saint received the nickname "Miracle Worker" for the fact that the prayer addressed to him had miraculous power: the sick received healing, the suffering - tranquility, the seekers were instructed on the true path. Christians to this day receive confirmation of the life-giving power of prayer words. Requests are sent to the saint for recovery, assistance in business, good luck in trips and travels, for peace in the family, for protecting children from adversity.

Orthodox Christians often call Nicholas "Pleasant" - for the greatest righteousness and godly deeds. The saint is zealously revered in the Western world: in the minds of Catholic Christians, the image of St. Nicholas united with a folk hero and embodied in the form of Santa Claus - the good spirit of Christmas, bringing gifts to children.

history of the holiday

Nicholas the Wonderworker was born into a prosperous but righteous family: his parents strove to help everyone in need, allocated a lot of funds for charity and fervently believed in Christian teaching.

As a child, the saint determined his future path for himself: from an early age he studied the Holy Scriptures, often attended church, and spent many solitary hours at prayer. Upon reaching maturity, he was made a reader, and then took up the post of priest. After the death of his parents, Saint Nicholas distributed all his inherited fortune to the needy, and he himself retired from worldly life and devoted himself entirely to worship. It was a difficult time when Christians suffered frequent persecution from the Roman rulers. Nicholas the Wonderworker was not afraid of difficulties: despite all the dangers of such an act, he ascended the bishop's throne.

Responsiveness, mercy, willingness to help with deeds and advice - all this won the love of the parishioners for Nikolai the Pleasant. The saint was merciless to only one thing - to the pagan faith and heretics. He destroyed the sanctuaries of the Gentiles and tirelessly denounced the liars who perverted the teachings of Christ.

Many miraculous events happened thanks to the power of Nicholas' prayer. The whole city was saved from hunger: the Higher Forces heard the prayers of the saint, and salvation was granted to people. Sailors emerged whole from terrible storms, and unjustly prisoners in prisons were freed from their shackles.

The exact year of the death of Nicholas the Wonderworker is unknown. The world knows only the date - December 19, which is revered as the day of remembrance of the saint.

The Orthodox world has a special love for Nicholas the Pleasure. Many temples, churches and monasteries are dedicated to the saint. The people nicknamed the day of his memory on December 19 "Nicholas Winter". Over the years, many traditions have emerged associated with this date. Many have been known since ancient times.

Traditions of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

On the day of St. Nicholas the Winter in Russia, it was customary to gather all relatives under one roof. The celebration lasted for several days, to which everyone was sure to be invited. Everyone did their bit, and a great feast was given. Pies were an obligatory attribute - they were greeted by Nicholas Zimny ​​and “placated the winter”. And in some areas, they even slaughtered a common bull, which had previously been fattened by the whole village for several years. Part of the meat was transferred to the church, and from the other part, dishes were prepared for the holiday.

Young guys and girls on St. Nicholas of Winter began to prepare for Christmastide: they looked for a hut, prepared firewood for the hearth, sewed outfits and masks for the mummers. In some settlements, matchmaking began on Nikola Zimny.

It was believed that Nikolai the Pleasant on December 19 bypasses the earth, dispersing all dark spirits. To cleanse their home, people made a special candle: after praying to the saint, the whole family chewed honeycomb, from which wax was subsequently made a candle to Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Every year, with love and respect, believers honor the memory of the saint, praying for protection and help. Bright calendar dates always remind us that the Higher Forces do not leave a person without their patronage. Turn to the light more often, take care of yourself and do not forget to press the buttons and

16.12.2016 06:10

On October 28, believers will traditionally worship the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "The Queen of Breads", asking her for ...

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For many, St. Nicholas Day is a winter holiday, for which it is customary to give gifts to children. But this saint is to be venerated just two days a year.

Our site has found out when and why Nicholas the Wonderworker is honored.

Saint Nicholas Day: What Date

St. Nicholas Day is celebrated not only on December 19 (the day of Nikolai's death), but also on May 22 (the day his relics arrived in Bari, Italy), that is, this Monday. His birth is celebrated on 11 August. All these holidays are non-transitory, that is, their dates are fixed.

People call these days, respectively, Nikola Zimny, Nikola Osenny and Nikola Veshniy (that is, spring), or Nikola Letniy.

They also call the saint "Nicholas the Wet". This saint in all ages was considered the patron saint of sailors and all travelers in general. Therefore, when the temple in the name of Nicholas the Pleasant was built by sailors (often in gratitude for the miraculous salvation on the waters), the people called it "Nikola the Wet".

Saint Nicholas the Pleasure

St Nicholas. Icon

Both December and May are extremely important for grain growers ("Two Nicholas: one with grass, the other with frost").

According to legend, it was these days that the saint got thanks to the peasant peasant. Once a man got stuck in the mud with a heavy wagon. I couldn't pull it out myself. At this time, the smartly dressed Saint Kasyan walked by. The man asked him for help. Kasyan was offended that they bother him because of such a trifle - after all, he is in a hurry to God in paradise. And passed by. After a while, Saint Nicholas the Pleasant passed by the cart. When the man asked him for help, he immediately put up his shoulder, got smeared all over, but helped to pull out the cart and went his own way.

When the saints came to God, he asked Nicholas: "Why are you late and all smeared with mud?" Nikolai told what happened to him on the road. God asked Kasyan why he didn't help the peasant? He replied: “I was in a hurry to meet you. How could I come in dirty clothes? " “Since you didn’t help the peasant, Kasian, they will only praise you once every four years. And Nikol the Pleasant, who is quick to help, will be celebrated twice every year, ”answered the Lord.

Since then, St. Kasyan's Day is celebrated only on February 29, and at St. Nicholas the Ugodnik is celebrated every year both in spring and in winter.

Saint Nicholas: history

Saint Nicholas was born in the second half of the 3rd century in the city of Patara into a family of pious Theophanes and Nonna. The mother was very sick, but with the birth of her son, who himself stood in the font during baptism for some time, unsupported by anyone, she received healing.

As the rector of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan of Vyshgorod and Chernobyl Vladyka Pavel told Vesti, the life of this saint is amazing from the day of his birth, the site reports. From childhood, he led, one might say, an ascetic life for a child. He was not interested in entertainment, idle talk, or games with peers. He studied spiritual literature, spent time in fasting and prayer. Seeing such virtues, his uncle, who was the bishop of Patara, took him to him as a reader, and then a little later elevated him to the rank of priest.

There is a known case when Nicholas set off on a journey to Palestine on a ship and, seeing the approach of a storm, stopped it with his prayer. He resurrected a sailor who fell from the mast and crashed. And upon his arrival in Palestine, having settled not far from Jerusalem, he wanted to pray in the temple at night. Arriving, he saw a lock on the door, but suddenly the doors opened themselves, allowing him to enter the temple.

Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker: prayer

Prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker

O All-Holy Nicholas, the most splendid saint of the Lord, our warm intercessor, and everywhere in sorrow a quick helper! Help me, sinful and sad, in this present life, pray to the Lord God for granting me forgiveness of all my sins that have sinned greatly from my youth, in all my life, in deed, word, thought and all my feelings; and at the end of my soul, help me, the accursed one, pray to the Lord God, all creatures of the Sourer, to save me from airy ordeals and eternal torment, but I always glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and your merciful intercession, now and forever and forever. Amen.

Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker, Changing Fate

Collected Wonderworker and a fair servant of Christ, Father Nicholas! To the whole world, exuding a rich world of mercy and inexhaustible miracles of the sea, set spiritual fortresses, and I praise you with love, blessed Saint Nicholas: as if you have boldness in the Lord, freedom from all my troubles, yes I call to you: Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker!

Angel in the image, earthly being by the nature of the manifestation of all creatures of the Creator; Having foreseen the beneficial kindness of your soul, Blessed Nicholas, teach everyone to cry out to you:

Rejoice, born in angelic garments, as clean in the flesh; Rejoice, both baptized by water and fire, for he is holy in the flesh. Rejoice, astonishing by the birth of your parents; Rejoice, for manifesting the strength of the soul after Christmas. Rejoice, garden of the land of promise; rejoice, the color of the Divine planting. Rejoice, virtuous vine of Christ's grape; rejoice, miracle tree of the paradise of Jesus. Rejoice, krina of paradise oblivion; rejoice, fragrance of Christ's myrrh. Rejoice, for you will drive away sobbing; Rejoice, for you bring joy. Rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker!

Rejoice, in the form of lambs and shepherds; rejoice, holy purifier of morals. Rejoice, receptacle of great virtues; Rejoice, holy places, a clean and honest dwelling! Rejoice, all-radiant and all-beloved lamp; Rejoice, golden-colored and blameless light! Rejoice, worthy interlocutor of Angels; rejoice, good mentor of men! Rejoice, pious rule of faith; rejoice, the image of spiritual meekness! Rejoice, for by you we are getting rid of bodily passions; Rejoice, for we are filled with spiritual difficulties! Rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker!

Rejoice, deliverance from sorrow; rejoice, giving of grace. Rejoice, expeller of unaccountable evils; Rejoice, those who wish the good to the planter. Rejoice, quick comforter in the trouble of those who are; Rejoice, terrible punisher of those who offend. Rejoice, abyss of miracles, poured out by God; rejoice, the law of Christ is a tablet written by God. Rejoice, strong builder of those who give it; rejoice, right standing affirmation. Rejoice, for by you all flattery is exposed; Rejoice, for by you every truth is coming true. Rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker!

Rejoice, source of all healings; Rejoice, fierce helper of the suffering! Rejoice, dawn, shining in the wandering sinful night; Rejoice, non-current dew in the heat of the labor of those! Rejoice, hearth to those demanding goodness; Rejoice, prepare those who ask for abundance! Rejoice, precede the petition many times; Rejoice, renew the strength of the old gray hair! Rejoice, accuser of many delusions from the true path; rejoice, faithful servant of the mystery of God. Rejoice, for by you we trample on envy; Rejoice, for we are correcting a well-behaved life by you. Rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker!

Rejoice, you have taken away from eternal misery; Rejoice, give imperishable wealth! Rejoice, brilliantly infallible to those hungry for righteousness; Rejoice, inexhaustible drink for those who thirst for life! Rejoice, observe from rebellion and battle; Rejoice, liberate from bondage and captivity! Rejoice, more glorious intercessor in troubles; Rejoice, defender great in adversity! Rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker!

Rejoice, illumination of the Tri-solar light; Rejoice, day of the unsettled sun! Rejoice, candle kindled by the Divine flame; Rejoice, for you have extinguished the demonic flame of wickedness! Rejoice, lightning, burning heresy; Rejoice, thunder, frightening seducers! Rejoice, true teacher of reason; Rejoice, mysterious exponent of the mind! Rejoice, for you have trampled on the worship of the creature; Rejoice, for by you we will learn to worship the Creator in the Trinity! Rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker!

Rejoice, a mirror of all virtues; Rejoice, a strong visor of all who come to you! Rejoice, according to Bose and the Mother of God, all our hope; Rejoice, health of our bodies and salvation of our souls! Rejoice, for by you we are freed from eternal death; Rejoice, for by you we are honored with endless lives! Rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker, rejoice, Nicholas, the great Miracle-worker!

Oh, blessed and wonderful Father Nicholas, the consolation of all who grieve, accept our present offering, and pray the Lord for us to get rid of Gehenna, with your God-pleasing intercession, but with you we Sing: Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!

Collected Wonderworker and a fair servant of Christ, Father Nicholas! To the whole world, exuding a rich world of mercy and inexhaustible wonders of the sea, set spiritual fortresses, and I praise you with love, blessed Saint Nicholas: you, as if having boldness in the Lord, free me from all troubles, but I call to you: Hail, Nicholas, great Miracle-worker, Rejoice, Nicholas, great Miracle worker, rejoice, Nikolai, great Miracle worker!

Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker: Do's and Don'ts

It is believed that on St. Nicholas Day nothing can be done for yourself - only for those who need your help. If you do not take care of the poor or orphans on this day, you will suffer losses for seven years.

There is no fasting on this day. However, it was on Nicholas Letny, or Veshny (May 22) that the Orthodox organized processions of the cross - with icons and banners they went to the fields, performed prayers at the wells (asked for rain).

Saint Nicholas Day: when to give gifts

By tradition, it is customary to give gifts to the "winter" Nicholas, that is, on December 19. In the spring, on May 22, you can congratulate in words or send a postcard to a dear person.

Saint Nicholas: congratulations and cards

Saint Nicholas: Pictures: playcast.ru

Happy Saint Nicholas Day

Congratulations from the bottom of my heart!

I want to wish well

Peace, happiness and warmth!

Let Nikolay bring

Much joyful trouble!

Let health not fail

And luck goes by!

On Saint Nicholas Day

With all my heart I wish:

Under the protection of a saint

Be everywhere, always.

So that your dreams, deeds

Light up the skies.

Any distance

Let it melt like dew.

Let the saint perform a miracle

That your name is your dream.

Let joy fill life -

Sadness with sorrow will be bypassed.

4 SMS - 203 characters:

St. Nicholas Day is a sacred holiday, the day when you should forget about all the failures and troubles and remember the simple idea that miracles happen everywhere and all the time. Be happy with the holiday!

3 SMS - 186 characters:

On Saint Nicholas Day

I wish you well

A lot of joy, love.

Always be happy!

May he work miracles

Let it always be near.

Pray today

And the whole life will improve!

Saint Nicholas Day: Divination

Fortune-telling about St. Nicholas is very popular - but alas and ah: fortune-telling (as well as giving gifts) is customary in winter, December 19. For example, fortune-telling by the shoe.

Young girls went out into the courtyard in the evening, took off a shoe from their left foot and threw it with force behind the gate. The farther the shoe flew from home, the further the girl had to leave after the wedding. Where the nose of the shoe pointed, from there the groom will come to woo. If the nose of the shoe pointed to the girl's house, then this year she should not have expected a wedding.

Fortune telling for a wedding suitable for three girlfriends. The girl had to take an onion and put it in water or bury it in the ground (the bulbs had to be marked first). Whose bulb will sprout on Nikolai's day, that girl will be the first to marry.

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This festival is associated with the transfer of the relics of the archbishop from the town of Myra to a place called Bari. In Russia, this date is called Nikola Veshny, linking the Christian holiday with spring and long-awaited changes.

This saint was born in a Greek colony in Asia. The town of Patara became the place of his birth. His parents were wealthy, believers and zealous Christians, and were actively involved in charity work.

As a boy, Saint Nicholas spent a lot of time reading church books, regularly visiting church. And when he grew up, he learned to be a priest and entered to serve in the church, where the father-abbot of the monastery was his own uncle - the famous Bishop of Patara.

After the natural death of his mother and father, Nicholas the Wonderworker gave all his fortune to the needy, and he himself became a bishop in Mir. Today this city is called Demre, and is located this place in the Turkish region of Antalya.

A fair and honest archbishop was greatly respected by the people. For his long life Saint Nicholas performed many miracles. Information about the following of his deeds has reached our days:

• rescued unrighteously convicted from prisons;
• fought against paganism;
• denounced and converted heretics;
• defended the city of Mira from hunger with the help of sincere prayer to the Lord;
• by the power of prayer he rescued the crews of sinking ships from trouble;
• answered all the requests and questions of the suffering.

Nikolai the Pleasant died, having lived for many years, as a "deep" old man. The exact date of his death is unknown. Historians believe that this happened around 341-351.

Who is patronized by an amazing and famous saint?

Nicholas the Wonderworker is recognized as the patron saint of children, and in Europe he is even referred to as the prototype of Santa Claus. He is also supportive of travelers, all sailors, merchants, and those who need a real miracle to be healed.

Why is Saint Nicholas called the Pleasant?

The saint received such a name for his pleasing service to God. Nicholas the Pleasant prayed with such strength and faith that even after his death his relics remained untouched by decay. They streamed myrrh, and from this grace hundreds of believers were healed.

May 22 - St. Nicholas Day - The Wonderworker is glorified and honored in various churches and parishes. Believers on this holiday try to give up meat and eggs, laying the tables with fish dishes.

Earlier when Agriculture was developed more, on St. Nicholas Veshny Christians organized mass processions with rows of icons and images. Believers took part in the prayer service, asked for mercy and rain. Usually, processions of the cross ended in the fields or near water intake wells. It was believed that the gracious Nicholas could help in the fight against drought and bad weather.

Today, on this day, you can visit the temple, where the service will definitely be held. You can also pray at home, asking Nikolai the Pleasant for help in any matter.

In the evening, you need to get together with the whole family for festive table and hold a common prayer of thanks to the saint for his intercession. This Christian celebration is not associated with tragic events, so the celebration can be easy and fun.

On the day of memory of Nikola Veshny, nothing is worth doing for yourself. Since the saint gave everything to people, then believers on such a day should give something to charity, donate alms or money for the construction of a church. Help is encouraged to orphans and orphanages, as well as to poor families.

Legend of the advent of the holiday

Saint Nicholas is glorified on May 22 and December 19. It is customary to give presents to each other on Nicholas Winter. And during the spring celebration, you can limit yourself to beautiful greeting cards and verbal wishes for happiness, goodness and peace.

Saint Nicholas is revered by all Christians. He is very often remembered during daily services and is given a special place in the Christian hierarchy of saints.

There is a legend that when a peasant got stuck with his cart in the mud, he asked for help from Saint Casian passing by. But he refused, referring to the fact that he was in a hurry to the Lord. When Saint Nicholas passed by the peasant, he helped him to pull the cart out of the ditch and appeared to the Lord all covered in mud. There the saint was asked why he got so dirty and stayed for a while, to which he replied that he was helping the man. Since then, Nicholas the Pleasant has been praised twice a year, and the Christian Saint Kasyan once every four years.

There is also a legend about the winter holiday dedicated to Nicholas the Pleasant. During his lifetime, the saint learned that in his city there was a poor man who had decided on a terrible sin. To get out of poverty and marry two daughters, the man decided to give the third girl to a brothel. Then Nicholas the Wonderworker sneaked into the poor man's house at night and threw him a bag of gold. The poor man could not believe his happiness and married his eldest daughter. Then Nikolai the Pleasant made his way into the poor man's house with a sack of gold for the second time, and the man played a wedding for his middle daughter. The poor man wondered who his benefactor was? Therefore, for the third time, he tracked down the bishop and rushed after him to thank him for his unprecedented generosity. And then he married off his third daughter. Since then, on December 19, the custom has been fixed to give gifts and small souvenirs, which are secretly placed at night near the fireplace or Christmas tree.

During his earthly years, this saint performed many incredible miracles and performed a huge number of good deeds. He did not refuse to help either believers or pagans, inciting repentance in them and instructing them on the true path.

Believers know that May 22 is St. Nicholas Day. They gladly go to the service, remembering the intercession of the archbishop. And they believe that even after death, the saint protects them from heaven, gives them protection and hope for the healing of ailments. An amazing person and popular saint among the people is equally known both in Russia and abroad. Many temples and churches have been erected in his honor. He is known not only by Christians, but also by people of a different faith. The saint is remembered and glorified in his own by all believers in Orthodoxy and Catholics.

Orthodox Christians respect and respect Nicholas the Wonderworker and honor his memory twice a year - in winter and spring. Even small children know about the date of Winter Nicholas (December 19), but the question of what date Nicholas Letniy is in 2018 interests many people. The customs of celebrating this day have been passed on for many generations from old people to young people, since faith in the miraculous power of the saint lives in the hearts of people.

The Day of Nikola Letny falls on the same day every year. The commemoration of his memory during the warm period takes place on May 22. According to the Julian calendar, this holiday falls on May 9. Despite the fact that the celebration is held in the spring, Nikola is called Summer.

It is believed that on this day, spring meets summer and after this day there will be no frost at night, and the sun will be hot in summer. In this regard, the holiday is often also called Nikolai Veshniy or Nikolai Teplyi. In the church this day is called the Transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

How did the holiday come about?

Orthodox Christians commemorate Nicholas the Wonderworker twice a year:

1. December 19 - the day of his death.
2. May 22 - the day of the transfer of his relics to the city of Bar.

Saint Nicholas is considered to be God's saint. Despite the love of people for him, he always remained simple and served the Lord. He died in the middle of the 4th century and was buried in the Lycian Cathedral.

The saint's relics were kept on the territory of Greece for several centuries. In VIII, attacks by the Turks on the country became regular. After devastating robberies, they burned cities that came their way. In addition, during these campaigns, the desecration of holy places took place. They wanted to get to the remains of Nicholas the Wonderworker and destroy them irrevocably.

In 1087, the inhabitants of Bar arrived in the city of Myra to pick up the Nikolaev relics. On their way were monks who guarded the remains, but they were tied up, and the valuable cargo was loaded onto a ship. On May 8 they returned to native city... The next day, the holy relics were solemnly brought to Stephen's temple, where they are still today.

Orthodox Christians began to honor the day of the transfer of the relics. Catholics do not have this holiday, and some Orthodox countries, for example, Greece, still do not recognize it. Most of all Summer Nicholas is celebrated Slavic peoples... Many traditions and customs are associated with this saint and holiday.

Nicholas the Wonderworker is the only saint whose memory is commemorated twice a year. Believers claim that he was a pleaser of God. There is even a legend why two holidays are dedicated to him. Once Nicholas the Wonderworker and Saint Kasian were walking along the road. They saw how the peasant's cart got stuck in the mud, and he tried in vain to pull it out. Saint Kasian just looked and went on, and Nikolai began to help the man, not being afraid to get dirty in the mud. The Lord rewarded him for this noble deed.

Everyone loved and honored Nicholas during his lifetime. Now in almost every city you can find a temple named after him. Christians believe that the saint has tremendous power and always helps by those who turn to him with prayer.

Traditions and customs of the holiday

Knowing what date Nikola Letnyi is in 2018, people prepare in advance for this holiday. On this day, people do the following things:

1. They go to church and pray to the Lord, turn to Nicholas the Wonderworker for help. The girls ask for marriage, the villagers ask for a good harvest, and the parents ask for the health of their children.
2. Arrange folk festivals. Guests are treated to pastries with raisins and jam and other goodies. Allowed to drink beer and wine. Our ancestors prepared for this day in advance and in the beginning of May set the intoxicated drink to ferment.
3. In the morning, adults and children wash themselves with dew to ward off all diseases and ailments from themselves.

In ancient times, on this day, for the first time, horses were left for the night in the field, since the saint is considered the patron saint of these animals. They were guarded by young guys who did not sleep all night. Usually this action was accompanied by festivities, songs and dances.

According to popular belief, if it rains on Summer Nicholas, the harvest will be good. If there is no rain, then people gathered at wells and other sources of water and prayed to the saint, and then they sprayed each other, vegetable gardens and cattle with water.