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Holy Power: what can and cannot be done on this holiday - a note for the Orthodox
12.08.2024 00:05
Today, Orthodox believers honor the memory of some of the seventy apostles, including Silas, Silouan, Crescentus, Epenetus and Andronicus.
Among the people, this celebration is called Holy Power.
In Rus', it was customary to sow any winter crops on this day.
Thus, in particular, it was believed that any crop planted on this day would bring with it a rich harvest.
Today, August 11, Orthodox believers most often remember Silas, who was one of the most respected members of the Jerusalem Church.
The believer was a preacher and carried out his religious activities together with the Apostle Paul.
Silas and Paul walked together through the lands of Macedonia and Syria, carrying the Divine Teaching and spreading the faith among the pagans.
In Macedonian Philippi, believers were seized and thrown into prison, where they were subjected to terrible torture. The preachers prayed for their release.
Their prayers resulted in a sudden earthquake that opened the prison to the prisoners. Due to the strong shaking, their chains cracked and they were able to escape.
What you can't do on Saint Silas
On this day, many people followed certain rules:
- were not greedy, especially for loved ones;
- did not refuse to help and were not lazy;
- Don't cut your nails or hair, so as not to cut off your happiness.
It was on August 12 that it was considered a grave sin to commit ungodly acts, namely, to indulge in gluttony. Otherwise, according to beliefs, one could bring famine upon oneself.
What can you do on Saint Silas
Today it is recommended to prepare bath brooms.
Then you should take a good steam bath or just take a bath.
It is also worth not being lazy, but devoting more time to your summer cottage.
