He is mentioned as the first Christian martyr in the Armenian city of Melitene. Polyektos, who served as a soldier during the reign of Emperor Decius, met a martyr's death for his unwavering faith in Christ under Emperor Valerian.
On this day, certain prohibitions and beliefs are observed:
It is considered unfavorable to sew on buttons, as it is believed to bring difficulties into a person's life.
Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages is discouraged, and any form of quarrels or disputes should be avoided, as it is thought that disagreements arising on this day linger for a long time.
In earlier times, people also paid attention to various signs on this day:
For instance, seeing crows sitting on trees was interpreted as a sign of severe frosts.
Clear weather was seen as an omen of a bountiful harvest in the future.
If a cat was seen lying on its back, it was believed that warming was inevitable.
Conversely, a cat that climbed onto the stove at night signified an approaching cold spell.
After the festive winter period, this day was often dedicated to resuming important household tasks. Typically, people focused on activities such as cleaning and washing clothes to prepare for the upcoming days.
Weather forecast for January 9 in major cities of Ukraine:
In Kyiv, it will be cloudy with no precipitation expected. The daytime temperature will reach +4°C, dropping to +2°C at night.
Lviv will also be cloudy with no precipitation, with daytime temperatures around +9°C and nighttime temperatures at +1°C.
In Kharkiv, it will be cloudy with no precipitation, with daytime temperatures of +6°C and nighttime temperatures of +3°C.
In Odesa, the day will start with cloudy skies but will clear up later, with no precipitation expected. Daytime temperatures will be around +11°C, dropping to about +6°C at night.