On November 5, Christians honor the memory of one of the apostles of the seventy — James. James the Less was often called the 'brother of the Lord,' and this is not accidental. His father was Joseph, who became betrothed to the Virgin Mary after the birth of his son James.
James did not believe in the immaculate conception and that Jesus was the Savior; he thought that Joseph was his father. James only came to believe after witnessing the crucifixion and the events that followed.
The life of the saint was cut short at the age of 63 when pagans stoned him right at the temple steps where he served as the bishop of Jerusalem.
People turned to James in prayer for the health of men performing hard labor.
On this day, peasants traditionally went to the fields to 'check on the land' and crumbled a piece of pie that was baked for the Feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. It was believed that if the birds pecked at the treat, the land would be calmed.
By November 5, efforts were made to finish gathering firewood. If this work was already done, the house would always be warm and cozy.
Weather Signs
Snow on this day — winter will come after November 22. Snow does not melt immediately — the year will be fruitful, and winter will be warm. Rain on this day — for a good harvest.
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