Holidays on this day
- Russian Press Day
- Christmastide day 8
- Dream come true day
- Shchedrets (Generous Evening)
- Day of random travelers
- Rubber Ducky Day
- Public Broadcasting Day
- Day stickers
Significant events in history
1830 The first issue of “Literary Newspaper” (12+) has been published.
1858 The first Russian postage stamp (0+) came into circulation.
1872 A weather service has started operating in Russia.
1874 In Russia, the Charter on military service has been adopted.
1940 The heroic drift of the icebreaker Georgy Sedov in the Arctic ice has ended.
[1945TheEastPrussianstrategicoffensiveoperationoftheSoviettroopsbegan1953 A message was published in Soviet newspapers about the discovery of the “conspiracy of the Kremlin doctors” (the so-called “doctors’ case”).
Persons
On January 13, 1763, a Russian military leader of French origin, Count Alexander Langeron, was born.
On January 13, 1827, Russian physical chemist, academician Nikolai Beketov was born.
On January 13, 1878, Russian politician, monarchist, and publicist Vasily Shulgin was born.
On January 13, 1895, the Soviet military leader, Major General of the Technical Troops Mikhail Gorikker was born.
On January 13, 1899, the Soviet film director, who stood at the origins of Soviet cinema, Lev Kuleshov, was born.
On January 13, 1917, Soviet theoretical physicist and academician Ilya Lifshits was born.
On January 13, 1931, Soviet and Russian writer, screenwriter and playwright Arkady Weiner was born.
Folk calendar
Vasiliev's carol, Vasiliev's evening
January 13 is the eve of St. Basil's Day, when, according to the church calendar, St. Basil of Caesarea, a theologian who lived in the 4th century in Cappadocia, was honored. It is he who is credited with the invention of the iconostasis, as well as the authorship of many sermons.
The evening of this day was called generous. The housewives prepared a lot of food – so that there would be enough to treat all the friends and neighbors who came to visit. There was a belief that a rich table would provide the owner with prosperity for the whole year. Pork dishes were especially popular, since St. Basil was considered the patron saint of pig farmers. In addition, the pig symbolized fertility and prosperity. Proverbs about this day say: “A pig and a boletus for Vasily’s evening”; “The pig is not a clean animal, but God has nothing unclean – Vasily the Winter will sanctify!”
Another custom associated with cooking is boiling porridge. The ceremony was performed before dawn; When the porridge was ripe, the housewife took the pot out of the oven, and the whole family began to look at it. If the pot was cracked or the porridge turned out unsuccessful, this foreshadowed bad things. If the porridge turned out fluffy and tasty, happiness was expected for the whole house.
Vasilyev's evening was recognized as the most successful time for predicting the future. They said that everything predicted at this time would certainly come true.
Also on Vasiliev evening it was customary to shake off snow from apple trees. This had to be done at midnight so that the apples would be born. Also at night you should monitor the weather: if the wind blew from the south, it meant a hot and prosperous year; if from the west – to an abundance of milk and fish; from the east – to the harvest of fruits and berries. But a lot of fluffy frost on the trees foreshadowed a good honey harvest.
Name day on this day
Mikhail, Peter.
Source: Calend.ru.
