Since 2012, every year on February 13, one of the youngest, but already gaining popularity, holidays, World Radio Day, is celebrated all over the world. Radio has been one of the most important means of communication since its appearance in human life. It is difficult to imagine modern life without radio broadcasting. Broadcasting information across channels is the primary task of every professional involved in broadcasting. Broadcasting is very important both in peacetime and in wartime, therefore, when training young specialists, special emphasis is placed on this. Radio is not just entertainment channels broadcasting music, interesting programs and interviews, it is one of the global achievements of mankind for the organization of universal ethics. This is an opportunity for millions of people to find common ground. It is not for nothing that radio work in a number of countries is one of the most prestigious and highly paid. The initiator of the creation of the holiday on February 13 was UNESCO in 2011, calling on radio amateurs to pay tribute to UN Radio, which launched the first broadcast on February 13, 1946 from its headquarters in New York. Many countries supported this idea, including Russia, although in our country there is a holiday dedicated to specialists and amateurs, celebrated on May 7th. However, World Radio Day has another important task, in addition to honoring radio specialists around the world, this is the international strengthening of media cooperation, which is currently important, since the information war can be much more destructive than the real one. World Radio Day unites all countries into a single chain of global broadcasting power, where every word spoken at one end of the planet has the right to be heard at the other. The world holiday is celebrated by everyone who is somehow connected with the direct production of programs, with broadcasting or servicing stations, be it a huge station with a world-class past or a club of one amateur with a couple of listeners. This day is eagerly celebrated by all future specialists who are still preparing to go on the air, these are students and applicants who dream of a career in radio. On February 13, memorable gifts, certificates, and bonuses are presented, and worthy workers are recognized. Often the holiday is accompanied by charitable and cultural events calling for the world to unite. On February 13, global events are also held in most countries of the world, in which only high-ranking representatives of the radio industry can take part. Such meetings are attended by inventors and officials, UN representatives and heads of radio stations. The value of radio cannot be determined. Freedom of speech, freedom of choice and the possibility of independent participation in all events taking place in the world are the basic principles of the work of radio channels.

Since 2007, February 13 is celebrated as International Condom Day. It serves as a reminder to people who are sexually active that contraception will not only help prevent unwanted pregnancy, but also protect against many types of sexually transmitted infections. The condom has a long history. Initially they were made from animal skin. According to some versions, one of the first famous people to use such “condoms” was Pharaoh Tutankhamun, but there are also more ancient references to these means of contraception. To find the first mentions of condoms, we will have to plunge headlong into ancient Greek mythology. Almost everyone has heard the legend about the labyrinth of the Minotaur - a monster with the head of a bull, to whom 7 beautiful young men and women were sacrificed every year (or once every nine years). The Minotaur was subsequently killed by Theseus with the help of Ariadne and her guiding thread, but we are more interested in the monster's stepfather - King Minos. According to legend, he was the son of Zeus and the princess of Europe that he kidnapped. Minos was adopted by the new husband of Europe - the king of Crete. When the boy grew up, he began to rule himself and took Helios' daughter Pasiphae as his wife. The woman herself was not without sin, because she conceived the Minotaur from a sacrificial bull donated by Poseidon, but her husband’s regular infidelities drove her crazy. When the unfaithful husband once again indulged in adultery, she cursed him. Along with the seed, he began to spew out snakes and scorpions, which immediately killed his mistresses. Minos came up with a way out of the situation. He used a goat's bladder as the first female condom. The device coped with the task and his new passion was not harmed by the deadly seed. What is a condom? A condom (condom) is a medical product used as a barrier-type contraceptive, and also intended to protect against many sexually transmitted diseases. Already towards the end of the 15th century, real epidemics of syphilis began. This disease was sexually transmitted, and people at that time did not have effective means of protection. It is worth noting that syphilis in the Middle Ages was much more dangerous than it is today. Nowadays, the disease can lie dormant for years and develops quite slowly. During the Renaissance, pustules covered the bodies of the infected for several months, after which death occurred. Syphilis has become a problem no less dangerous than the plague. In his treatise on syphilis, the Italian physician and anatomist Gabriele Fallopius first mentioned a special remedy for preventing infection. It was a narrow linen bag. Before use, it was thoroughly soaked in a special composition, and then thoroughly dried. The bag was put on the male genital organ and secured with special ties. This was the first cloth condom to be mentioned in medical work. The publication of the work Fallopia caused a real revolution and bags made of flax for protection against syphilis began to be used everywhere. Condoms later became a subject of controversy. Some suggested banning them, as men, intoxicated by a sense of security, became promiscuous in their sexual relations. Subsequently, flax was replaced by more practical and cheaper leather. In 1870, the world's first company to mass produce condoms appeared in Great Britain. Back then, these contraceptives were made of rubber. At first, layers of raw material were wound onto workpieces followed by vulcanization, but after several decades a new technology appeared - the workpieces were dipped in liquid rubber. Condoms were thinner and had no seams. In 1920, latex was invented. The American company Youngs Rubber Company produced the first batch of condoms from this material. They were very thin and could be stored for three years, while rubber products had a shelf life of only three months. Condoms are still made from latex today, although some companies use polyurethane as a starting material. At the moment, more effective means of protecting against STDs have not yet been invented. International Condom Day is a reminder to all adults that health is much more important than momentary pleasure, and unwanted pregnancy is far from the only “side effect” of unprotected sex. Although today medicine has made a dizzying leap in its development, many of the sexually transmitted diseases still pose a danger to humans. Some of them are still not completely cured and can become a problem for life, and to get rid of others you will have to undergo many courses of therapy, spending a lot of time and sometimes money.

Valentine's Day, or the holiday of all lovers, is celebrated on February 14 in many countries around the world. On this occasion, it is customary to exchange gifts, make surprises and give cards. But what should people do if no one is in love with them? How does it feel for them to attend this celebration of life without receiving valentines, bouquets of flowers, soft toys, sweets and balloons? The Day of Despair, which is celebrated on February 13, is intended to support lonely people. The unusual Desperation Day was created by television character Barney Stinson from the comedy series How I Met Your Mother. The sitcom hero mentioned the need to celebrate "Day of Despair" in episode 16 of season 6, looking at the suffering of his friend Robin. The ex-boyfriend met the girl many years later and broke her heart again. Robin and her female co-workers disliked Valentine's Day because there was a lack of romance in their lives. Barney Stinson decided that a holiday should appear on the calendar in honor of the feeling that single women experience on the eve of February 14th. The idea of ​​a TV series hero appealed to his fans and ordinary people, who saw deep meaning in Desperation Day. Despair arises against a background of hopelessness, uncertainty and self-doubt. Loss of spirit, lack of prospects and hope for the best negatively affects a person’s emotional background. On February 13, you need to cheer up and celebrate Valentine's Day without despondency and sadness. Despair is often a precursor to depression. It is difficult to get out of this state without outside help - friendly and professional. Therefore, a person needs to learn to cope with despair by regaining self-confidence and an optimistic outlook on life. In every woman's dreams, she dreams of spending the New Year and other holidays, including Valentine's Day, with her loved one. But life makes its own adjustments, so sometimes you have to celebrate Valentine’s Day alone. It cannot be said that this fact speaks of something terrible (“nobody needs me”, “nobody loves me” and other similar thoughts need to be thrown out of your head), but it can contribute to the creation of an inferiority complex. The hype around Valentine's Day fuels harmful stereotypes and creates unhealthy patterns of behavior - for example, that the holiday should be celebrated together. But what should women do who are currently quiet in their personal lives? Loneliness is a state of mind that has nothing to do with the presence of loved ones. In couples who have been together for a long time, there is often a lack of spiritual intimacy and mutual understanding. Such people often congratulate each other and give gifts out of politeness and automatically, experiencing “loneliness together.” A sober look at the current circumstances, seasoned with a dose of optimism, will help you cope with despair. We need to try to find positive aspects and a reasonable explanation for what happened. For example: “I will be alone on Valentine’s Day because I have not yet met my ideal man.” Or: “In life there are dark times and streaks. It’s just that tomorrow is not my day.” Treat February 13th as a period of testing your strength. The day of despair is a good reason to show character and willpower, get rid of false stereotypes and believe in yourself.

February 13th is a holiday that celebrates the joy of female friendship. Unlike Valentine's Day, whose origins are shrouded in mystery, Girlfriends' Day is a direct product of an American sitcom. Episode 16 of the second season of Parks and Recreation mentions this celebration. In the episode, Leslie Knope throws her annual party the day before Valentine's Day. Knope explains the importance of the event, and serves an "amazing breakfast." She gives out hand-knitted gifts as well as essays about what makes every woman special. Girlfriends Day also appeared in the next season. Its whole premise is that women forget about their husbands, boyfriends or significant others for the day - and focus solely on celebrating the friendships in their lives. Contrary to popular criticism that Valentine's Day favors singles, the fun is intended to be a day of empowerment, reminding women that loved ones should value and respect each other. Since its broadcast, the celebration has gone beyond the television screen and become a recognized cultural phenomenon. February 13th of every year is celebrated as the day when "ladies adore ladies." Knope described it this way: “This is the best event of the year.” Girlfriends can have drinks or dinner after work with their favorite snacks at home. Others throw full-on parties. The celebration possibilities are endless and unique to each company. After all, this is a chance to spend valuable time with the incredible people in your life and thank them for their support. Typically, shortly before Valentine's Day, a number of Girlfriends' Day events are announced, some of which take place on the night itself, while others take place over the weekend. Girlfriends Day has been gaining momentum in recent years, with more girls, both single and in relationships, using the day to recognize the power of communication. The day is so popular that a UK hotel chain is offering special packages so girlfriends can have a classic sleepover with a twist. This is an unforgettable event that will definitely remain in your memory for a long time. In the end, Girlfriends' Day is a celebration of sincere relationships in which people remain with each other, despite all life's difficulties. Thus, it can be celebrated by anyone.

“It’s no secret that friends don’t grow in gardens, You can’t sell or buy friends,” are the words from the song of a popular Soviet cartoon released in 1979. Decades later, the importance of selfless relationships, mutual sympathy, understanding, appreciation and respect for each other friend hasn't changed at all. The only difference was that in the 21st century. People close in spirit and aspirations are now searched for and found using the World Wide Web. February 13th is Internet Friends Day. The life of a modern person is full of many events. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, busyness makes it increasingly difficult to find time for live communication, personal meetings and acquaintances. However, the need to interact with people who inspire affection and respect remains. The busy heroine of the film “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears,” Ekaterina Tikhomirova, a member of the Moscow City Council and director of a factory, is offered to pick a groom “from the reserve” by the head of a dating club for single people. In Soviet times, with the help of such organized meetings it was possible to arrange a personal life, find friends among football fans or visitors to a philatelist circle, like-minded people from abroad in international pen pal friendship clubs. Today, the Internet and social networks provide ample opportunities for communication. Online friendships are almost every bit as good as real-life interactions. Sincere and selfless communication between two friends living in Toronto and Sydney can last for years. And if earlier, before the advent of the Internet, friendship was preceded by physical acquaintance and personal communication, now they are not prerequisites for the emergence of personal relationships. Internet Friends Day is celebrated on February 13 both by those who have met people online who share similar interests and spirit, and by those who use the World Wide Web to maintain relationships with friends at a distance. With the help of the Internet, people do not lose touch with friends from childhood and youth who travel a lot or have moved to live in other countries and continents. Online correspondence and video sharing are a lot of positive emotions and good mood. Online they share contacts of like-minded people and agree to provide material assistance, showing miracles of mutual assistance, despite distances of thousands of kilometers. Yes, someone will say that in life, real friends can communicate almost without words: gestures and facial expressions, subtle personal intonations are enough for them to understand each other. Contacts over the Internet are devoid of direct physical interaction, which does not in any way detract from their significance. Yes, it is difficult to establish a connection with a person you cannot see or feel, but the effort is worth it. For example, for those who, due to physical illness, cannot leave their own home, online communication becomes a breath of fresh air and the only opportunity to make acquaintances. Therefore, Internet Friends Day, a kind and sweet holiday, is widely celebrated on February 13 every year by residents of all five continents.

On the eve of Valentine's Day, it is common to think about people dear to your heart and prepare for the celebration. On February 13, people buy gifts, sign cards with wishes and plan where to celebrate Valentine's Day. Those who have not yet met their soulmate dream about it in their dreams and in reality. This enthusiastic state and anticipation of a miracle, the belief that true love will definitely come, deserve special attention. Therefore, February 13 is celebrated as Sweet Dreams Day. The tradition of celebrating Dream Your Sweet Day originated in the USA. In English, the word dream is used to mean “dream” and “dream”. Therefore, in honor of the holiday, it is customary to dream about the object of one’s admiration, to fantasize, while lying in bed, about tomorrow’s meeting. To do this, place a photograph of your beloved or lover on the bedside table. If you haven’t met your soulmate yet, then before going to bed you can imagine what he or she should look like and what character traits they should have. Dreams backed by a strong desire and self-confidence will definitely come true. This is often confirmed by prophetic dreams with a romantic plot. In honor of Dream Your Sweet Day, they listen to jazz music, French chanson and love songs of other genres. They evoke melancholy, create a special mood and anticipation of a joyful meeting that will change your whole life for the better. People most often dream in childhood, when they still have faith in miracles and magic. On the Day of Sweet Dreams, you can and should try to regain your attitude towards life as a holiday at which you are the most important guest. Not only an expensive gift can tell about strong love and deep affection. People prepare for Valentine's Day by buying flowers, chocolate or other sweets. If you plan to celebrate the holiday at home, then on February 13 you should consider a menu consisting of dishes that are ideal for a romantic meeting on Valentine's Day. Dessert has a special place on this list. It is traditionally prepared in the shape of a heart. The pace of modern life leaves no time for a person to immerse himself inside himself. A good opportunity to catch up is the Day of Sweet Dreams. For the Dream Your Sweet Day holiday, people sign postcards or send out their electronic equivalents with the wish to meet and end this day in dreams with dreams of a miracle. Sweet dreams are dreams in the form of stories that could happen in real life, i.e. fantasies turned into reality. Therefore, the traditional wish Sweet dreams! in honor of the holiday, which is celebrated on February 13, sounds more relevant and appropriate than ever.

Not every person is happy with their appearance. Looking in the mirror, many of us think that nature could try to create a more perfect image. In an attempt to perfect their appearance, men and women go on diets, go to the gym and see plastic surgeons. Despite a lot of opportunities and innovations in medicine, sports and decorative cosmetics, in recent years the trend towards naturalness and natural forms has been gaining momentum. Man is beautiful from birth, and it is no coincidence that nature created him this way. Everyone who has learned to accept themselves and their body celebrates International Self-Love Day on February 13th. Models walking on the world's catwalks have a natural and well-groomed appearance. Designers today are in great demand for both skinny and curvy ladies of the plus size category. The body positivity movement encourages people to feel comfortable in their own skin and to be welcoming to others, regardless of their appearance or physical characteristics. No one should conform to an invented format of beauty and imposed ideals. International Natural Day aims to instill confidence in people who are dissatisfied with their appearance and components in this regard. After all, God created man in his own image and likeness. Each of us has a piece of the Creator, not only inside, but also outside. The appearance given by nature and a minimum of decorative cosmetics are the main trend of the fashion industry. Fashion houses have stopped hiding the beauty of a woman's face behind tons of makeup. Today, well-groomed models walk down the catwalk, their facial features and figures are as natural as possible. Women aged 50+ are no longer afraid to show the world their gray hair and wrinkles. Jane Fonda has embraced the natural aging process and found the benefits of middle age. “I love my wrinkles,” says the actress, confident that a woman can look sexy and stylish at 70 and even 80 years old. For the last 20-odd years, fashionable gloss has imposed standards of an ideal face and body on society. During this time, women often wondered what to do if they were not born with long legs, sloping hips and chiseled noses. But there are wrinkles on the face, and the hated cellulite on the buttocks, which is actually the result of the body’s production of female sex hormones. At some point, the difference between magazine cover models and readership models became so great that they could be mistaken for two different species. Inferiority complexes, fears and phobias, anorexia and other problems only added more ointment to the ointment. This is how body positivity and the tradition of celebrating International Natural Day appeared. Not only International Self-Love Day is dedicated to the fight against the standards that society imposes on us. Well-known brands have long stopped using Photoshop in their advertising, focusing when creating campaigns on the natural appearance of models (unshaven legs and armpits, pigmentation on the face, etc.) and natural forms. The fashion industry supports women in the fact that they need and can be themselves, accepting both the shortcomings and advantages of their appearance. The International Day of Self-Love is intended to convey this idea to a large number of people striving for an ideal that actually does not exist.

The cultural heritage of Antiquity is not only architectural structures and sculptures that have survived to this day, but also objects of human spiritual activity. Greco-Roman civilization gave the world the greatest examples of prose and poetic creativity, theatrical art and mythology. The polytheistic religion of the ancient Romans was characterized by the cult of many deities, in whose honor various rituals were performed throughout the year. According to Hellenic mythology, Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Aphrodite, Hermes, and Demeter lived on Olympus. The same characters are present among the Romans under the names Jupiter, Juno, Minerva, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, Cercera. Deities patronized various spheres of human activity, commanded the elements and nature. Thus, in the forests and mountains, in the fields and meadows, lived the good spirit Faun, with whom the god Luperk was identified. He was considered the patron saint of shepherds and fishermen, the protector of animals and birds. Lupercus's favor was manifested in good harvests, fertility and the safety of grazing livestock, which he protected from wolves (Latin lupus - the basis of the name of the deity). In order to appease him, rituals with sacrifices, feasts and other rituals were held in Ancient Rome. Most of them occurred on Lupercalia, which was celebrated at the foot of the Palatine Hill on the third day after the Ides of February - February 13 according to the Julian calendar. The traditions of holding the Feast of Lupercalia in Ancient Rome are mentioned in the works of Plutarch and Ovid. At the festival in honor of the deity, sacrifices in the form of goats and dogs were made on a special altar by the priests of Luperca, who belonged to the patrician class. This was followed by a ritual meal. After it, the priests made whips from animal skin and, naked, covering only their thighs with goat skin, began to run around Rome. They lashed with whips the women they met along the road, who gladly exposed their breasts and thighs to the blows. It was believed that the touch of a scourge on Lupercalia would grant easy childbirth and fertility. During the celebration, the women stripped naked, and the celebration turned into an orgy. The Romans associated Lupercalia with free love and unrestrained sex. Feast of Lupercalia took place from February 13th to 15th. It was believed that its celebration helped cleanse the area, improve the health of the townspeople and increase the birth rate. Rituals were held in several places - in the Lupercal cave, on the Palatine Hill and the Comitium - a place of public meetings. The holiday of naked priests did not fit into the canons of Christianity, which preached chastity and renunciation of voluptuousness. In 496, Pope Gelasius I, who actively fought against pagan rituals and other heresies, banned Lupercalia. Instead, the Senate proposed to celebrate Candlemas on February 2. However, historians say that Valentine's Day came to replace it. One of the traditions of the Feast of Lupercalia was the priests offering hearts of animals killed on the altar to girls they met on the streets of the city. This is where the tradition of giving hearts came from on Valentine's Day, which is an echo of the erotic Lupercalia.

Noisy and cheerful, Mardi Gras is a popular Christian holiday and cultural phenomenon that originates from ancient Roman pagan rites dedicated to spring and fertility, when residents of all classes indulged in unbridled fun. According to historians, when Christianity came to the Roman Empire, religious leaders adopted popular local holidays because it was much easier to adopt these traditions than to abolish them. As a result, the excess of entertainment during the Mardi Gras season became a prelude to 40 days of abstinence. Later, the custom of celebrating the last days before Lent spread from Rome to other European countries. Mardi Gras is celebrated all over the world, mostly in countries with Catholic populations. In each country or city over many centuries, the festival has acquired its own traditions and rituals. The luxurious carnival in Brazil attracts tourists from all over the world. Huge crowds of people flock to Italy to watch the Carnival in Venice, which dates back to the 13th century, when famous costume balls were held here. A grandiose winter carnival in Canada, a traditional festival with gay pride parades in Australia, and a funny custom in Denmark when costumed children go begging for candy, for which their parents are obliged to traditionally flog them on the morning of Easter Sunday. No less fun and colorful costume parades take place in Austria and Germany, with a cheerful tradition that allows women to cut off men's ties on this day. In the United States, the holiday took place on March 3, 1699, when French navigators landed in what is now the state of Louisiana. They had a little party to celebrate Mardi Gras. In the decades that followed, New Orleans celebrated the holiday with street parties, masquerades and lavish dinners. In 1827, on the day of Mardi Gras, a group of students in colorful costumes imitated Parisian revelries and danced in the streets of New Orleans. Ten years later, the first recorded parade began an annual tradition in the city. Louisiana is the only state in which Mardi Gras is an official holiday, although carnival fun is organized in other states with their own rituals and scenarios. In French, Mardi Gras is translated as “Fat Tuesday.” This day is the final day after a whole week of abundant feasts and uncontrollable fun. The carnivals that accompany the holiday get their name from the Latin word “carnelevarium”, which means “farewell to meat”. The holiday of Mardi Gras is usually celebrated on Tuesdays, before Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Catholic Lent. On this day, the fun ends, a solemn and bright time begins, when Catholic believers cleanse their souls and bodies and prepare to celebrate the great holiday of Easter.

One of the popular American holidays is an analogue of Russian Maslenitsa. Pancakes are traditionally baked on this day, but they celebrate it in a completely different way. It is called International Pancake Day, and the holiday is international because it takes place in two countries - America and England. The date of the holiday changes every year, but always falls on a Tuesday in February or March. The ancestor of Pancake Day was the small English town of Olney, and in America it was popularized by the first settlers who explored the new continent. The history of the holiday is funny and unusual. One day, an Olney resident was baking pancakes in her kitchen. She was so carried away by the process that when the church bell rang, calling for the morning service, the hostess was not taken aback and ran to the church along with the frying pan on which the pancake continued to fry. One of the local residents came up with the idea of ​​organizing a competition among the residents of the town - a pancake race. The tradition of running with baking pancakes so that you can turn them over while running and not drop them has caught on. Pancake Day has been celebrated in Olney for about 500 years, and in the United States the holiday was first celebrated in 1950. Pancake races have their own rules. Only women over 18 years of age participate in the competition and must wear dresses and aprons. There are always a lot of applicants, but only 30 people are selected. One of the main conditions is that you need to run the entire distance, which is 400 m, and on the way turn the pancake in the air at least twice so that it falls back into the frying pan. And they all run to where the unknown founder of Pancake Day ran many years ago - to the church. All this time, a bell-ringer is waiting for them there, ringing the church bells. The winner receives a prize - a kiss from the bell ringer and respect from all residents. After the church service, a mass celebration begins, where all the remaining pancakes are eaten by local residents. Each of these women dreams of becoming a pancake race participant, so they train for a year to one day become one of the thirty selected participants.

Terendez is a unique national holiday of Armenia, which is celebrated on February 13th. Its origins lie in the distant past, when all significant dates were associated with the cult of natural phenomena. Initially, the name of the holiday sounded like “Trndez”, which literally meant “a sheaf of hay in front of the house.” The festivities were dedicated to the pagan deities Astkhik and Tiram, who personified wisdom and art. With the adoption of Christianity by Armenia, the tradition of the pagan holiday could only be preserved if its meaning changed. Terendez was associated with the Day of St. Sarkis, and the name itself began to fully comply with church norms and mean “towards the Creator.” But the main participants of the holiday remained unchanged: couples in love. After the church liturgy, a ceremony of blessing young men and women takes place in all churches. Newlyweds married on this day are guaranteed a happy family life. The culmination of the holiday is jumping over fire. Young people, holding hands, boldly jump over the high flames of the fires. The main thing is not to flinch and not to loosen your hands. Only in this case will the couple have strong mutual love for a long time. Older people also do not stay away from the celebration. They encourage the youth and throw wheat and hemp seeds at the jumpers, symbols of fertility and prosperity. Following the loving couples, it was the turn of women who wanted to get pregnant to jump over the fire. The heat of the fire was supposed to fill them with vitality. At the end of the ceremony, everyone could jump over the blazing fires, after which all those gathered joined hands and began a merry round dance. The ashes of the ritual fire were necessarily collected and scattered over the fields, asking for a bountiful harvest. These days, fire jumping festivities are not for everyone, but even city dwellers celebrate Terendez. In recent decades, Terendez has intricately merged with Valentine's Day, when all loving couples can stroll holding hands and carrying a lit candle, as an echo of an ancient custom.

According to the folk calendar, Nikita the Fireman is celebrated on February 13 (the date according to the strict style is January 31). The day is named after the church holiday of veneration of St. Nikita of Pechersk, Bishop of Novgorod in the 11th century. As a young man, Nikita became a monk and wished to become a recluse. It was then that the Devil appeared to the inexperienced monk in the guise of an Angel and convinced him to stop reading the Gospel and study the Old Testament. However, the monks exposed the reason for his behavior and saved Nikita with prayers from obedience to the Devil. The young man returned to the true path, fervently prayed to the Lord, led a humble lifestyle, for which he was able to surpass the surrounding brethren. Soon Nikita was appointed to the post of bishop in Novgorod, and the Almighty endowed him with the talent of miracles. With prayer, the saint could summon a thunderstorm during a drought or stop a fire in the city. Among the people, Saint Nikita was considered the guardian of lightning and flame, so the peasants prayed to him to preserve their homes from fires. This is where the name of the day came from - Nikita the Fireman. For a long time, ridges were built on roofs, representing an overlap for two joints, and a figure in the form of a horse’s head was attached to the edge of such a canopy. It served to protect the house from evil spirits. Residents believed that the goblin could play pranks on Nikita the firefighter - climb on his skate and shake the house. Therefore, caring owners were busy repairing their homes. They said that on the 13th, disagreements often occur between people. That is why the healers were engaged in conspiracies on the day of Nikita the Fireman to cause a quarrel between spouses and their lovers. For this ritual, they took a new hair comb and, breaking off its teeth, began to start a quarrel. Then he was thrown to the opponent’s house. By the signs of the day, Nikita recognized the upcoming weather. Long-burning and smoking logs in the firebox predicted warmth. If the firewood glowed with a white flame, they expected spring ahead of time, and with a red flame, they expected a strong cold snap. Before the snowstorm, crows were observed cawing.

February 13 is celebrated around the world as the birthday of the movie camera. It was on this day in 1895 that the first motion picture camera was patented. Its creators are the brothers Auguste and Louis Lumiere. According to legend, the idea of ​​a device capable of transmitting images came to Louis at night, when he was once again suffering from insomnia. Then an enterprising scientist assembled a projector with a cam mechanism, designed to transmit images from perforated film. A wall or any flat surface covered with canvas was used as a screen. The invention was not accidental; the idea of ​​“moving photographs” had long occupied Louis Lumiere. He had previously graduated from a technical school and worked in a factory producing photographic plates. Also, a year before his own invention, he began to become interested in the “Kinetoscope” created by Thomas Edison. All this led to the emergence of a device that marked a new era for humanity - the ability to document any event in motion. The technical innovation was called Cinematographe. After receiving a patent, in December of the same 1895, the Lumiere brothers decided to demonstrate their invention to the public. They organized a unique paid attraction - a film screening. The event took place in one of the famous Parisian cafes. The brothers were counting on many visitors wanting to witness the unique event, but on the first day of the show they managed to sell only 35 tickets. The Parisians had little idea of ​​what awaited them and were not ready to pay for an incomprehensible action. The show still took place and became a real event. The audience was shown 10 short stories. What impressed them most was the moving train. People were shocked by such a realistic and dynamic picture. Some of them even tried to leave the premises in panic. The entire short film lasted about 15 minutes, and it took a large amount of film to show - approximately 20 meters. The fame of the unique attraction quickly spread throughout the city. Film screenings began to be held regularly and there was no longer a shortage of viewers. Then the Lumiere brothers decided to surprise the public again and give their black-and-white silent films even more realism. They hired musicians who complemented the films with sound effects. Inspired by their success, Louis and Auguste soon began mass production of filming and projection equipment, as well as film and films. Before the invention of the Cinematographe, films existed, but in the form of separate images, the changes of which were made using blank frames. And Louis’ invention made it possible to display pictures continuously, resulting in a dynamic image. It is thanks to him that the modern film industry exists. The respect of audiences around the world for the founders of cinema is symbolized by the Lumiere Prize. This is one of the most prestigious awards in the film industry in France. It is awarded to those of our contemporaries who make a serious contribution to the development of cinema.

Orthodox holidays on February 13:

On February 13, the Holy Orthodox Church honors the memory of the unmercenary martyrs Cyrus and John and with them the martyr Athanasia and her daughters Theodotia, Theoktista and Eudoxia. The holy martyrs, who suffered for the Christian faith, accomplished their feat in the 3rd century, when believers lived next to the pagans. Every Christian tried through speeches and sermons to spread the Holy Scriptures and the good news of the coming of the Savior. So was the healer Cyrus from Alexandria. He treated bodies according to the commandments of Hippocrates and healed souls, converting yesterday's pagans to the faith of Christ. With the coming to power of Emperor Diocletian, persecution of Christians began, and Cyrus was forced to leave Alexandria and go to Arabia. Upon arrival, he becomes a monk, having acquired the gift of healing through the power of prayer. The rumor about the miracle-working monk spread throughout Jerusalem, and the Christian John from Edessa heard about Cyrus. In the past, John was a noble father of a family and had the reputation of a brave military man. But seeing how his brothers in faith suffer from the persecution of the wicked emperor, John leaves earthly honors and leaves for the holy city of Jerusalem. After meeting with Cyrus, John remains to live next to the monk, adopting the rules of his life and helping in all the deeds of the miracle worker. One day, a rumor spread among Christians that the virtuous woman Athanasia and her three young daughters had been taken into custody. Cyrus, fearing for the steadfastness of the faith of the girls and their mother, decides to strengthen the spirit of the captives with his own presence and the words of Scripture. Cyrus, together with John, arrives in the city of Kanop, where Athanasius and her daughters await their fate, imprisoned. With inspired speeches, the saints strengthen a woman’s faith and ignite love for Jesus Christ in the hearts of young girls. But the arrival of the holy men did not go unnoticed; they were taken into custody and taken to the city authorities. The ruler of Kanopus, either with flattering speeches or threats, tried to force the travelers to bow to pagan idols, but Cyrus and John remained firm. The angry ruler ordered Athanasia and her daughters to be brought in, and before their eyes he began to torture the holy men. Cyrus and John endured the torment humbly and steadfastly, instilling in the captive women an example to follow. When it was the turn of Afanasia and the girls to accept torture, their spirits and hearts were strengthened in the Christian faith. The women perceived the torment as if they were outside their bodies, and went to execution with smiles on their lips and thoughts of the heavenly bridegroom awaiting them after death. After the execution of the Christian martyrs, the cruel ruler of the city once again tried to influence Cyrus and John, but having met their courageous resistance, he ordered both of them to be beheaded. The Christians of Kanopa secretly buried the bodies of the martyrs and preserved the memory of their feat. The miraculous relics were found during the reign of the pious Emperor Theodosius the Younger, and many years later the relics were transported to Rome, and later to Munich.

Memorial Day of St. Nikita of Pechersk