Superstition

[Not David]

What are certain superstitions that are considered Orthodox? One that I know is leaving food for the dead.

 

[~Anastasia~]

What are certain superstitions that are considered Orthodox? One that I know is leaving food for the dead.

I've never heard of that.

It may be cultural of course. The Greeks in my parish - some of the older ones wore a "mati" - evil eye. Usually a bead or beads that look like an eye, supposed to ward off the evil eye. I used to see them on a lot of folks but I rarely do anymore. Our priest has been teaching where necessary (at least that's what I have heard and I do see a major effect) to discourage it.

One of my (Romanian?) students mentioned to me last year that they didn't wash any clothes on Christmas Day but I don't know the full details.

Greeks often won't eat anything off a plate on the days when we celebrate anything about the beheading of St. John the Forerunner, since his head was delivered on a plate, but I don't know if that's the sort of superstition you mean. For them I think it's a matter of honoring the Saint.

I'm probably forgetting some but that's all I can think of. Most things are more like pious belief than actual superstition.

 

[ArmyMatt]

none. Orthodox Christians might have superstitious practices, but superstition is never Orthodox.

 

[Not David]

none. Orthodox Christians might have superstitious practices, but superstition is never Orthodox.

Forgive me Father, I worded it wrong. I meant certain people do stuff that it is not part of the Orthodox faith but since they are not that educated in it, they have certain superstitions that they believe are normal.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Forgive me Father, I worded it wrong. I meant certain people do stuff that it is not part of the Orthodox faith but since they are not that educated in it, they have certain superstitions that they believe are normal.

yes, we just gotta be clear that stuff ain't Orthodox.