On this day, believers remember the holy patriarch Nicephorus, who lived in the VIII-IX centuries. He was known as the Protector of Icons.
People believed that since March 26, the sun was melting the remnants of snow more and more every day, and the waters were flowing into the den and waking up the bears. They woke up and went out. Previously, the bear was considered a man, but in a different form. Parts of his body were used in various ceremonies, for example, divination using a paw.
Folk omens for March 26.
Some of them are related to geese. If the birds flew to Nikifor, then the year promised to be fruitful. If the geese swam in the ponds, warm days will come soon.
It was believed that if the first of the birds flew a lark – in early spring.
And if the chaffinch returns first, warming is postponed and it will be cold again.
If on this day the fog spreads over the land, the summer will be rainy.
People went to the grove and looked at the birches. If there was a lot of juice, then they were waiting for a rainy summer.
If the sun is shining on Nikiforov’s day, the grain harvest will be plentiful.
