On January 9, 2025, find out what church holiday is being observed today according to both the new and old calendars.
On January 9, the Orthodox Church commemorates the martyr Polyevktos and the venerable Eustratius according to the new church calendar.
The holiday on January 9 according to the old calendar is the feast day of the holy apostle Stephen of the Seventy.
On this day, people pray to the saints for protection from life’s hardships, swift recovery from illnesses, and for those who are in captivity.
After a series of Christmas celebrations, many chores accumulated, which were typically addressed on January 9.
Specifically, tasks included cleaning the barn, tending to winter crops, and washing linens and clothes.
On January 9, it is customary to clean the house, do laundry, and attend to other household duties.
According to folk tradition, after the series of holidays, one should also visit the bathhouse on January 9 to "wash away the festivities." It is believed that this will make all tasks easier to manage.
Among our ancestors, there were many interesting omens for January 9:
- If many crows are perched in the trees on January 9, severe frosts are imminent.
- Clear weather indicates a fruitful year.
- If crows are sitting at the tops of trees on January 9, the cold will linger for a long time; if they are walking on the snow, it signifies warming.