Mitrovdan is an Orthodox holiday dedicated to Demetrius of Thessalonica, the ancient commander of Thessalonica who died due to the spread of Christianity. The feast of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius is marked in the church calendar with a red letter, and many folk beliefs are connected to this day.
Dimitrije lived at the beginning of the 4th century, and was the governor of Thessaloniki who was ordered by Emperor Maximilian to persecute Christians. Instead, it is Dimitrije continued to publicly preach the Christian faith, which enraged the emperor. He was thrown into prison and then stabbed with a spear, in the middle of prayer.
Dimitrios was secretly buried by the Thessaloniki Christians, and according to tradition, basil and myrrh grew on his grave.
Church records state that after the sin committed against him, St. Dimitrije “watched over that city and saved it from earthquakes and other calamities”, and today it is believed in the healing properties of his relics.
A church was later built on the site of his grave, and Dimitrije was declared the patron of the city.
Many temples in medieval Serbia are dedicated to St. Dimitri, such as church in the Patriarchate of Pec and a chapel in the Visoki Dečani monastery.
They say it’s Saint Dimitri’s day got the popular name Mitrovdan because of of the ancient custom that male children with the name Dimitrije are called Mita or Mitar.
Celebrating the patron saint of the house or fame – as many regions, as many customs
Customs and beliefs
They exist beliefs that on the eve of Mitrovdan, all big jobs must be completed, especially in the field.
On Mitrovdan, it is necessary stay at home in order not to spend the whole year in other people’s houses. Also, on this day children should not be scolded whatever they do wrong, so she won’t be naughty all year.
They say that Mitrovdan is it is possible to predict what the winter will be like. If the day is sunny – the winter will be mild. If it snows, it is believed that it will last until April.
Due to the unpredictably cold weather that usually begins after this holiday, it is known that the From Mitrov the hajducs split up and went to spend the winter at the jail, only to meet again on St. George’s Day. That’s why in our people they say “Mitra’s tribute, a swindler’s farewell – Đurđev’s tribute, a swindler’s meeting”.
Source: www.agromedia.rs
