Folk Signs for October 12 — Theophan the Merciful and Kyriak the Hermit 0 22

Kyriak became a monk at the age of 18 in the monastery of Saint Euphemia in Corinth. Later, he served in the Jordan with Saint Gerasimus and in the Sukhi Monastery, founded by Saint Chariton, where he stayed for over 30 years. At the age of 70, Kyriak went to live in the desert — according to legend, a lion was with him, eating from his hands and guarding the saint from robbers. Kyriak died in 556 at the age of 109.

Theophan the Merciful was born in the Syrian city of Gaza. He welcomed travelers, helped the poor, and gave away all his savings to assist people, remaining in poverty himself. Eventually, Theophan lost his health; his body swelled and festered. When he was dying, a storm began, but Theophan predicted to his wife that after his death it would cease and she would be able to bury him — and so it happened. After his death, his body was cleansed of wounds and pus, exuding myrrh and fragrance.

Our ancestors noticed that it is often cloudy on this day, and the first snowfall is possible: "Theophan threw a coat over the sun."

October 12 was considered the hunter's day — in the evening, a feast was arranged during which hunting stories were told.

"On Theophan," from midnight, people looked at the stars — it was believed that only the stars could provide a gracious light on this day.

Weather Signs

A starry sky — indicates a dry autumn and a fruitful following year. Evening and night fog — indicates a lack of frost. Late mushrooms appeared in the forest — autumn will last a long time. During the day, the wind strengthened, but weakened by evening — indicates clear weather. Thunder rumbles — winter will be snowless. Eastern wind — indicates a cold winter.