February 13 is a day filled with historical events, religious traditions, and interesting international holidays. In the Orthodox calendar, this day commemorates the memory of Saint Martinian, who lived in Cappadocia in the 4th century and dedicated his life to prayer and spiritual purification, writes IZ. His exploits are known for the fact that he sought to overcome all temptations, even once burning his feet to avoid sin. After this incident, he chose a secluded life on a deserted island, where he spent years in prayer and fasting. Martinian is revered as a protector from temptations and spiritual weakness, and is also addressed in prayers for protection from unclean thoughts. Ukrainians watched the weather on this day: if the day is frosty and dry, the summer will be hot, and if the sun shines brightly, the spring promises to be warm.
On February 13, people had certain prohibitions that they tried to follow in order to avoid trouble. It was believed that sewing and embroidery could be avoided, as this could “sew” away happiness for the whole year. They also avoided large purchases, as they could be unsuccessful. Quarrels were forbidden, because conflicts that arose on this day would last a long time and could seriously affect relationships. Today, Vasyl, Volodymyr, Yevgeny, Ivan, Iryna, Mikhail, Nikolay, Pavlo, Timofey, Anna, Vera, Zoya and Svetlana celebrate their name day. The talisman stone of the day is the cat's eye – a mineral that is considered a talisman against negative energy and a symbol of fidelity in love.
In addition to religious traditions, this day was marked by important events in history. It was on February 13, 1858, that English explorers Burton and Speke discovered Lake Tanganyika in Africa. In 1895, the brothers Louis and Auguste Lumière received a patent for their version of cinema, which changed the development of the film industry. In 1959, the first Barbie dolls went on sale, which became an icon of children's toys around the world. Also on this day in 1942, the forced deportation of Ukrainians to Germany for work began, which became one of the most tragic pages of World War II.
Among the unusual holidays that celebrate February 13 is the International Day of Women's Friendship, when women around the world celebrate strong bonds between friends. In addition, today is Internet Friends Day – a reminder that true friendship can exist even at a distance. Another interesting date is World Radio Day, established by UNESCO to honor this important means of communication. Also, February 13 is the official International Self-Love Day, created to remind you that before giving love to others, you need to learn to value and respect yourself.
As a reminder, we previously wrote about the main events, traditions, and prohibitions on February 12
