December 7: the day of Saint Ambrose, who made the emperor repent.

According to ТСН: Tomorrow, the Orthodox calendar commemorates the day of memory of Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. Ambrose was born around the year 340 in Trier (modern Trier, Germany) to a Roman senator's family. His father, Ambrose the Elder, was a Roman official, and his mother, Saint Mamma, was known for her piety.

Ambrose received a quality education based on Roman traditions, studying rhetoric, law, and literature. This knowledge helped him become a skilled preacher.

Before becoming a bishop, Ambrose worked as a civil servant, holding the position of praetor in Milan, where he dealt with administrative matters and law. Due to his fairness and authority, he gained the respect of the citizens.

In 374, after the death of the previous bishop of Milan, the people demanded Ambrose's appointment to this position, even though he was not yet baptized and did not hold a priestly rank. Legend has it that during the debates between Arians and supporters of the Orthodox faith, Ambrose successfully defended orthodox Christianity, gaining the support of the majority. The people shouted:

“Ambrose must be our bishop!”

Soon after his election, he was baptized, ordained as a priest, and immediately became the Bishop of Milan, which happened in 374.

Ambrose was resolutely opposed to Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. He defended the dogma of equality in the Holy Trinity and contributed to the establishment of the Orthodox faith in Northern Italy. Actively interacting with Roman emperors, he was particularly remembered for his confrontation with Emperor Theodosius I in 390 after the massacre at Thrasymene. Ambrose imposed a spiritual sanction on the emperor - a ban on participating in the liturgy until he repented, which became a symbol of the Church's moral authority.

Saint Ambrose died in 397 in Milan and was buried in the cathedral that now bears his name - the Basilica of Saint Ambrose.

Signs of December 7

• If December 7 is frosty and snowy, it foretells a severe and snowy winter.

• The northern wind on December 7 promises a cold winter.

• If a bear comes out of its den, it may indicate a warm winter.

What not to do tomorrow

According to folk beliefs, on this day one should not rejoice excessively or fall into deep sadness, as both states can lead to forty days of misfortune. It is believed that unmarried girls should not wash their hair, as this may lead to loneliness throughout the year.

What to do tomorrow

Saint Ambrose of Milan is the patron of teachers, preachers, and church choir singers. Believers turn to him with prayers for various life's matters. Since Ambrose was considered a healer, he is asked for help in healing the sick, especially children.

The commemoration of Saint Ambrose is significant not only for Orthodox Christians but also for many who respect spiritual traditions. His teachings and examples of life continue to inspire believers towards moral choices and good deeds. The signs for this day call on people to be attentive to changes in nature and their emotional state.