The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FEAST OF JORDAN

THE UKRAINIANS CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF JORDAN ( JANUARY 19 AND 20 BY
JULIAN CALENDAR ) BY AN IMPRESSIVE CHURCH SERVICE AND THE BLESSING
OF WATER, COMMEMORATING THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST IN THE JORDAN RIVER BY
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST. IN UKRAINE, THIS CEREMONY IS HELD ON A
RIVER OR CREEK WHERE A LARGE CROSS OF ICE IS SET UP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Date learned: 10-00-1970

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ST. AGNES EVE, JAN. 20

ON THE EVE OF ST. AGNES' DAY, A GIRL SHOULD GET A HANDKERCHIEF FROM
HER BOYFRIEND. SHE SHOULD PUT IT UNDER HER PILLOW AND SHE WILL DREAM
IF SHE WILL MARRY HIM OR NOT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC

Date learned: 02-00-1968

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ST. AGNES EVE, JAN. 20

IF YOU GO TO BED BEFORE TWELVE O'CLOCK ON THE EVE BEFORE THE FEAST
OF ST. AGNES AND LIE FLAT ON YOUR BACK NOT MOVING IN THE LEAST,
YOU WILL DREAM OF YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND THAT NIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: 10-00-1967

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ST. AGNES' EVE--JANUARY 20

MR. CYLKOWSKI, A PROFESSOR AT MERCY (COLLEGE), TOLD HIS
CLASSES TODAY OF THE TRADITION OF ST. AGNES' EVE. I BELIEVE
HE MENTIONED THAT KEAT'S POETRY HAS IMMORTALIZED THIS TALE.
EVERY ST. AGNES' EVE (JANUARY 20, AS HER FEAST DAY IN THE
CATHOLIC CHURCH IS JANUARY 21) YOUNG LADIES WILL DREAM OF
THEIR BELOVED. WHY THIS DAY IN PARTICULAR? ST. AGNES
CHOSE MARTYRDOM TO PROCLAIM HER TRUE LOVE FOR HER LORD.
SO IT IS FITTING THAT YOUNG LADIES WILL BEHOLD THE FACE
OF THEIR BELOVED ON THE EVE OF HER FEAST.

Submitter comment: I FOUND THIS TALE QUITE FITTING AS MR. CYLKOWSKI'S CLASS
IS COMPOSED (95%) OF YOUNG LADIES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; MERCY COLLEGE OF DETROIT

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