Born in Lebanon in the 3rd century, Saint George is celebrated for his devotion to God and the miracles attributed to him.
On this day, there are several prohibitions rooted in traditions and beliefs:
It is not permissible to stay in bed or be idle.
Do not go outside after sunset: it is believed that evil spirits roam the earth at this time.
Overeating or excessive alcohol consumption is also discouraged.
January 8 has long been associated with various folk traditions and weather predictions:
If a dog is curled up sleeping outside, it signals the quick approach of cold weather.
A bright moon and starry sky at night indicate strong frosts.
Calm, windless weather foretells a warm and clear summer.
The weather on January 8 is thought to reflect what August will be like.
Interestingly, in the past, men who entered into loveless marriages observed a custom on this day, symbolically "drinking away" their unions to come to terms with their fate.
The weather in major cities of Ukraine today is as follows:
Kyiv: cloudy, no precipitation. Daytime temperature reaches +6°C, dropping to +2°C at night.
Lviv: cloudy, with heavy rain at night that will end before dawn, followed by rain mixed with snow in the evening. Temperatures range from +5°C during the day to +1°C at night.
Kharkiv: cloudy, no precipitation. Daytime temperature is +9°C, and +5°C at night.
Odesa: partly cloudy, no precipitation. The warmest city today, +12°C during the day and +7°C at night.
This day carries a blend of religious significance, folk wisdom, and weather signs, reflecting a rich cultural and spiritual heritage.