The story of Nicephorus, who lived at the turn of the eighth and ninth centuries, has a surprisingly familiar vibe of burnout and search for meaning. The man successfully made a career, was an advisor to emperors, spoke brilliantly at the Second Council of Nicaea, defending icon veneration. And then he simply got tired of court intrigues and went to the sea. He founded a monastery, read, prayed, informs Ukr.Media.
It sounds like a perfect downshift somewhere in southern Europe. But the peace didn't last long.
Soon he was elected patriarch, the iconoclastic emperor Leo V the Armenian came to power, and for refusing to submit to the political situation, Nicephorus was stripped of his rank. Then came exile: first to a monastery, then to an island in the Sea of Marmara, where he died thirteen years later. And only much later were his relics solemnly returned to Hagia Sophia.
In addition to him, the church lists today include a whole company of early martyrs — from Sabinus to Christina of Persia — but it was Nicephorus' day that was most deeply etched in the people's memory.
Byzantine theology has been intertwined for centuries with our purely everyday, squishy, and slightly pagan fears.
For example, it is believed that water acquires some kind of ultimate power today. Tradition requires going to a bathhouse, washing yourself with spring water, or simply washing the floor in your apartment. They say this washes away illnesses from the house for a whole year.
Common sense suggests that general cleaning with a damp cloth is just a good home psychotherapy that really clears your mind a little.
But my favorite sign of the day is not related to water, but to the forest.
Folk wisdom strictly forbids going into the woods today, because it is at this time that bears wake up from their winter hibernation. They come out of their dens, disoriented, hungry, and angry.
A beautiful metaphor, in my opinion, for the March state of many of us. So no walks in the forest, no chopping of firewood or trees. Even hunting is strictly prohibited, especially for birds.
Shooting a migratory goose today was considered a disastrous sign, capable of bringing disaster to the hunter's entire family.
In general, the birds of March 13 are the main ones. They were used to read the future, just as we read analytics now.
If finches have arrived, we take out warm jackets, the cold will return. If we see swans, it may even snow. Thick fog in the morning guarantees a rainy summer, and strong winds guarantee abnormal heat.
The only definitely good news is those wild geese.
If they return specifically to Nikifor, it means that the summer will be warm and generous.
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