On December 22, the Orthodox Church honors the day of the Great Martyr Anastasia (St. Black). St. Anastasia was the daughter of a noble and wealthy Roman. Her father was a pagan, but her mother professed the Christian faith. At that time (3rd century), the noble Romans, respecting science, took great care of the upbringing of children. Anastasia's upbringing was entrusted to the teacher Chrysogonus, known for his mind and learning.
When the education of young Anastasia was completed, everyone in Rome marveled at both her extraordinary beauty and her mind and knowledge. But Chrysogonus gave her another treasure. He was a Christian. From him and her mother Anastasia she received knowledge of God.
After some time, since she did not renounce her faith, despite all the torments she was subjected to, she was tied to four pillars and burned in 290. A Christian buried her body, which remained unharmed in the fire. Her relics were then taken to Constantinople.
In popular belief, the saint is the Christianized image of death. Some call the holiday Chernorizie because that is when the Virgin Mary began to suffer pains and that is why she dyed her clothes black.
On this day, women, especially mothers, do not work at all so that their children do not get sick. It is also believed that if this prohibition is violated, someone in the house is threatened with misfortune. In some regions, they even wore black clothes at one time. Fresh cakes are kneaded and spread with honey and distributed.
According to popular belief, if the weather is good on this day, there will be a drought in June, and if it rains - it will rain in June too. The weather the next day determines the weather in July in the same way.
Name day is celebrated by everyone with names: Anastasia, Anastas, Anastasa, Anastasha, Anastasiyka, Asya, Natasha, Nasta, Nastya, Nastas, Siyka, Siya, Staska, Stas, Tana, Tasha, Tocho, Tasko, Shinka, Shina.