Edited by MCK Sokół | Lesser Poland
Saint Nicholas, take the keys from paradise....
Country: Poland
Region: Lesser Poland
Type of inspiration: Cultural customs
Inspiracja
In the Carpathian tradition, St. Nicholas was considered the patron saint of shepherds and farm animals, guarding the flocks from wolves, i.e. borstal dogs and bitches mentioned in a prayer recorded in the 1920s in Podhale. This is also recalled by a sigh to the saint remembered to this day in the Piwniczna area: "Saint Nicholas defend the cattle and horses, and the pig mo teeth niek sie sama broni".
In the past, the shepherds' prayers for protection of their flocks were accompanied by a confession combined with an offering to the priest in the form of live animals, usually hens and geese. Other customary gifts to St Nicholas were wool and flax. Until the 1950s, the inhabitants of Łomnica, Kokuszka, Piwniczna and Rytro used to bring woollen yarn or flax, combed and knotted into ponytails - as they recalled: for St Nicholas' beard - on 6 December. They would leave the gift behind the balusters by the altar, and in Piwniczna they would place it in a basket placed in front of the picture of St Nicholas. The flax was usually carried by women, choosing the prettiest bundles. The custom was explained in various ways. In the past, it was believed that a saint bestowed in this way would protect the farm for the whole year, keep the wolves from taking the sheep, and make the flax grow well. The gift also had a social meaning - the donated yarn was seen as a support for the needy and the church ministry. It was jokingly said that the wool was given to the priest for his socks. Flax was distributed to the poor so that they could weave linen for clothing or it was used for tablecloths for the church.
In 2015, this ancient custom was recalled during the event "Shepherd's Slipper for St Nicholas". In the church in Piwniczany, in front of the image of St Nicholas, "Carpathian hunters from across the vyrchs and valleys" laid down sheep fleece and entrusted their fields and blackbirds to St Nicholas.
In Podhale, on St. Nicholas' eve, a shepherd would buy 7 pictures of the saint and give them to be consecrated, so that on 6 December 5 of them would be given to beggars. He would leave the last one and recite 9 prayers in front of it every morning. The paternosters used to start each day in the hall with a prayer-incantation to St Nicholas.
See the error? Do you know more information? Report it to us.
Write to us.
Piwniczna-Zdrój
Poland Lesser PolandRytro
Poland Lesser Poland
