Saint Basil, born in 329 AD in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey), became a pivotal figure in early Christianity. As the Archbishop of Constantinople, he gained fame for his steadfast opposition to Arianism—a doctrine that questioned the divine nature of Jesus Christ.
His theological contributions continue to influence Christian thought even today.
On this day, certain actions are traditionally discouraged:
Aim for harmony and steer clear of disputes or harsh words.
Let the past remain in the past to start the year positively.
Lending or borrowing money is considered unlucky for future finances.
This day has always been rich in customs and beliefs:
It was believed that a northern wind foretells a cold summer.
A morning snowfall indicated continued snow throughout the spring.
Heavy snowfalls were seen as a sign of a warm summer.
The new moon was considered a harbinger of potential spring floods.
Saint Basil, regarded as the patron of agriculture, was honored through a unique tradition where young boys would visit homes early in the morning. They scattered grains throughout the house, wishing the family prosperity and a fruitful year.
Weather forecast for January 1:
Kiev: overcast with no rain or snow. The temperature will rise to +7 °C during the day and drop to +3 °C at night.
Lviv: cloudy and dry. Daytime temperatures will reach +6 °C, while nighttime lows will fall to +1 °C.
Kharkiv: cloudy and dry. The thermometer will read +5 °C during the day and +2 °C at night.
Odessa: clear skies with no precipitation. Daytime high of +7°C and nighttime low of +2°C.