Titmouse's day

Most countries in the world approve original celebrations in honor of our little brothers. So in Russia a similar environmental holiday has been confirmed. The Russian Bird Conservation Union contributed to its emergence. They called it “Titmouse Day” and began to celebrate it on November 12 every year. This date was not determined randomly. It is on November 12 (October 30, old style) that religious communities of Christians celebrate the day of remembrance of the holy martyr Zinovy ​​​​of Sinitsky and his sister Zinovia. Having lost their parents early, the children distributed their property to their fellow villagers, and themselves devoted themselves to serving the Almighty. In the 3rd century AD. brother and sister preached Christianity in Cappadocia, for this the Lord blessed Zinovy ​​and awarded him the ability to heal people through prayer. The healer received the title of bishop from the people. When the pagan persecution of Christians began, the bishop and his sister were drowned. “Titmouse Day” symbolizes the arrival of wintering birds to a person’s home before the onset of serious cold weather and was created to attract attention to starving and freezing birds and to help them. Among them are tits, bullfinches, goldfinches, waxwings, and jays. Previously, people made wooden feeders with their own hands, but now caring craftsmen prepare them from available materials - these can be hanging plastic bottles or juice boxes with cut out windows. Treats are poured into the bottom: sunflower seeds, zucchini seeds, peanuts or walnuts, and a piece of raw lard is hung on a branch. This day begins the hunting season for fur-bearing animals and the winter fishing season. There is a belief that if hunters manage to shoot at least one animal, then next year the hunt will be successful. With the arrival of birds, our great-grandfathers noted that if a lot of titmice flew to the house, expect severe frosts. If a large flock sits at the feeder, expect heavy snowfall. If the bird waxwings, the day promises to be clear. If it does not sing, but squeaks, frost will set in after sunset. By the way, tits got their name not because of their plumage, but only because the singing of these beautiful babies is similar to “Xin-Xin”. Fans of fortune telling have the opportunity to learn about fate on Sinichkin’s day. They throw in crumbled bread or chopped lard. If the yellow-breasted beauty begins to eat crumbs, then there will be prosperity at home. Eating lard means that living creatures will appear.