According to tradition, these chains symbolize the martyrdom of the apostle and are honored by believers through symbolic acts of reverence, including bowing. This observance reflects humility and deep respect for the trials that Peter endured for his faith.
On January 16, certain practices are traditionally avoided:
It is forbidden to wash clothes.
Taking out the trash after sunset is prohibited.
It is not recommended to lift sharp objects.
Additionally, several signs and traditions are associated with this day in Ukrainian folklore:
If the north wind is blowing, it is believed that the cold weather will last for a long time.
A snowstorm is thought to foreshadow a rainy and cold summer.
A red sun during sunset indicates that frost will come the next day.
If the day is frosty, it is believed that the summer will be dry and hot.
Moreover, January 16 is often considered the midpoint of winter, and the saying "On Peter Verikha, the ice breaks" reflects the belief that winter begins to wane. People also used this time to prepare forests for the upcoming spring planting season.
As for the weather, January 16 is expected to be as follows in major cities:
In Kyiv, it will be cloudy, with daytime and nighttime temperatures around +3 °C.
In Lviv, it will also be cloudy, with temperatures of +1 °C during the day and 0 °C at night.
In Kharkiv, it will remain cloudy, with daytime temperatures around +2 °C and 0 °C at night.
In Odesa, it will be cloudy as well, with a daytime maximum of +3 °C and a nighttime minimum of -2 °C.