This day for Orthodox Christians is dedicated to the memory of Saint Apostle Luke. He became the first icon painter, was a physician, and studied painting and philosophy.
It is believed that Luke was the author of the first icons of the Mother of God. After the death and resurrection of Christ, he was a companion of the Apostle Paul, and after his death, he preached in Egypt, Thebes, Libya, and Achaea. In Greece (in Thebes), he met a martyr's death at the age of 84.
It was thought that only a master with true faith and special spiritual qualities could be an icon painter, through which his skill descended upon him in the form of grace. Icon painters were considered spiritual visionaries, believed to be able to touch the otherworldly light and mystery, conveying this vision of celestial beauty in the images on the icon.
Proverbs associated with the day of Luke: "Every skill is achieved through labor," "To what the soul leans, to that the hands will apply," "Looking at the image, you will not become holy."
Luke's name was phonetically similar to the word for onion, which is possibly why this day was also called Onion Day: markets were held where this vegetable was sold. It was believed that eating onions on this day would protect against illnesses.
Weather Signs
If it does not snow on October 31, winter will not come soon. Faded stars mean it will rain, a faded moon means it will snow or rain. A snorting horse predicts warmth, and if it is snoring, it predicts bad weather. Clouds moving from north to south indicate sunny weather. If a cat starts scratching the floor, the wind will rise. The howling of foxes in the forest predicts bad weather. A cow lifting its head against the wind indicates rain.
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