ALL ABOUT ST. ANDREW'S DAY
this info copied from: https://publicholidays.ro/feast-of-saint-andrew/
Saint Andrew was the first of the apostles of Jesus Christ who preached Christianity in the southern part of Romania. As a result, Saint Andrew is also considered the patron saint of the country, with many girls and boys being named in his honour. The holiday is a feast for the Romanians, and many celebrate it as an anniversary.
History of the Feast of Saint Andrew
In ancient times, many Romanian ancestors called the Dacians, celebrated another divinity – the Santandrei or the master of the wolves. Also, November 30th marked the end of fall and beginning of winter, which is when wolves formed into packs of 12 to help prepare for the harsh winter ahead.
Due to this, the day is also often called the Day of the Wolves and considered an extremely important time. As a result, the rituals of the people were very closely connected to the wolves on this day. Today, Saint Andrew’s Day is celebrated similarly to any other religious holiday in the country; however, some old superstitions have survived. Due to these old stories, it is believed that the day enhances the wizard’s magical powers and that any spells cast this day are stronger than on any other.
Traditions
The time that the majority of beliefs, customs, and magical rituals are present is Saint Andrew’s Eve. It is stated that Saint Andrew descends at midnight on earth to share with each wolf the prey they need for the winter ahead. Even today, it is believed a wolf becomes so light-footed and agile on this day that no prey can escape.
If the cattle in Romania begin to move about on this night, it is believed that wolves are descending. The people of Romania use crosses, covered in wax, attached to the cattle’s horns to keep the wolves away. Other traditions state that Romanians do not need to go to work this day, comb their hair, or even say the term “wolf,” as this supposedly attracts the anger of the wolves.
However, Saint Andrews is not just about wolves. It is also believed that the spirits of the dead can re-enter into the world of the living on this night due to the profound disturbance present in the cosmic order. As a result, many Romanians believe they are going to suffer torment from spirits, vampires, and the moroi, which is why they take measures to protect themselves. These include rubbing the windows and doors with cloves of garlic and preparing garlic dishes. In many cities, the celebration is very common to America’s Halloween celebration.
What to Expect
Saint Andrew’s Day is in Romania is a national holiday. This means that all public offices, banks, and many private businesses remain closed. The celebrations going on range from superstitious activities to exciting and festive parties, which means if you are planning to visit the area on this day, there are several events you may encounter. However, since most businesses remain closed, you need to have all your essentials before the day arrives.
