Orthodox Christians celebrate the Council of the Three Saints – Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian.

Today, Orthodox Christians honor the memory of three saints at once – Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian. That is why this holiday is called the Cathedral of the Three Saints or Three Saints. Read about the traditions, prohibitions and omens of this day in the article.

Previously, we told when the Universal Father’s Saturday of 2023 will be and how this day should be spent.

What is Three Saints – the history of the holiday

The history of the holiday began during the reign of the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Comnenus. In the 11th and 12th centuries, disputes raged in Constantinople about who should have primacy among the three saints. Believers could not make up their minds in any way, but everything was allowed by St. Ivan Mavropod, Metropolitan of Euchaite. In a dream, Basil the Great, Ivan Chrysostom, and Gregory the Theologian appeared to him and told the priest that all three of them are equal before God, and therefore, their memory should be honored on the same day. That is how it has been established to this day. The Cathedral of the Three Saints is celebrated annually on the same day – February 12.

The Cathedral of the Three Saints in 2023 – what can be done on this day

On this day, the house was always cleaned: everyone washed and cleaned. It was believed that this way you can attract luck and well-being. Another tradition of February 12 is reconciliation. On Three Saints’ Day, it was necessary to make peace with everyone with whom there had been conflicts or quarrels before, and to ask each other’s forgiveness. If you do not do this, you will remain in a quarrel for the whole year.

Also, on this day, girls bewitched their lover, if he did not pay attention to them. They did it like this: they hung colorful ribbons on trees and said the name of their loved one.

What can not be done on the feast of the Three Saints

According to popular belief, it was not possible to spin or knit on February 12. If you violate this prohibition, your hands and feet will hurt. But men were not forbidden to work – it is today that all work will be successful.

Also, on Three Saints, it is forbidden to go to the forest, so as not to fall under the influence of mystical energy. You can’t wear red clothes on February 12 – this color was considered a symbol of aggression, and you can’t wear it on this day.

Three Saints – what to pray to the saints

On February 12, they pray in front of the icon of three saints – Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom – for family happiness, prosperity, mutual understanding with loved ones.

Basil the Great is asked to get rid of evil and temptations and to strengthen the spirit. They pray to John Chrysostom to protect him from deception, and to Grigory the Theologian – to instruct him on the righteous path.

The Cathedral of the Three Saints is a sign of this day

Since ancient times, holidays have had their own signs. For example, under no circumstances should children be punished or scolded today – if this prohibition is violated, the child will always be disobedient. If you put old shoes outside the door for the whole day on February 12, there will be no quarrels in the family for the whole year.

Observed the weather on Three Days:

• if the sun sets in the clouds – to a blizzard;
• if the moon is reddish today – to strong winds;
• the wind blows – to the cold.

And on the day of February 12, many animals start their mating season, which is why this holiday is also called an animal wedding.