February 14 is the day of Saint Tryphon, the patron saint of hunters, in for Russian Orthodox. In Russia, Saint Tryphon holds a special place among hunters and those involved in rural occupations. The reverence for him stems from both religious devotion and practical associations with nature and survival. In pre-revolutionary Russia, many hunters regarded Saint Tryphon as their heavenly protector because he was believed to have dominion over wild animals and the elements. On the eve of his feast day, hunters traditionally prepared themselves spiritually through fasting and prayer. They would ask for Saint Tryphon’s intercession before embarking on expeditions into the forest. It was customary for them to visit churches dedicated to Saint Tryphon or leave offerings at shrines in his honor. Some even carried small icons of the saint with them while hunting as talismans for safety and success. The connection between Saint Tryphon and hunters became deeply ingrained in Russian folklore a
Post: 14 February 19:05
