On February 10, the Church commemorates Saint Charalambos the Wonderworker.
Saint Charalambos is considered the protector of those suffering from infectious diseases, while he is the patron saint of Pyrgos of Elis, Preveza, Kea, Lixouri and Paxos.
Saint Charalambos is honored in many parts of Greece because he is a protector from infectious diseases and especially from the plague.
Saint Charalambos-February 10: The Saint in the Life of the People
Saint Charalambos is depicted trampling on the plague, which is presented as a monstrous woman "spewing" smoke from her mouth. That is why God gave him this grace, as reported by ekklisiaonline.
The service that the Saint offered to farmers was great at a time when there were no veterinarians, and oxen were essential to the family.
In the past, on the eve of the Saint's feast, the herders would light a large candle of pure wax in their homes near the fireplace in memory of the Saint and it would burn all night. In the morning, they would go to the Church at the appropriate time to have the service. And all this so that Saint Charalambos would keep his oxen strong throughout the year.
He is also the protector of all animals. That is why in Crete, shepherds, when their animals are not doing well, ask him to heal them.
In Preveza, Saint Charalambos is the patron saint. Many offerings are hung on his icon. A typical offering is a shirt made of cloth. This is done in one day! That is why it is also called one-piece…
This is how it happens: One night, a group of women gather in a house, where they spin and weave cotton. With this fabric, which is made in one day, they make the shirt.
This tribute begins with an event that refers to the miraculous action of the Saint.
Once upon a time, Saint Charalambos was visited by villagers who abandoned their homeland and ran to him because the plague was killing them daily.
Out of gratitude for the Saint being their protector, they gave him a shirt as a gift that was spun and knitted from cotton and sewn in one day.
Source: protothema.gr
