March 5 — Lev Katansky Memorial Day: history, traditions, folk signs

Every year on March 5, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Leo of Katana, the wonderworker and defender of the Christian faith. In 2025, the celebration falls on a Wednesday. Read about how this saint became famous and how his holiday was celebrated in Russia in the Izvestia article.

Lev Katansky Memorial Day on March 5 — the life of the saint

Leo of Katan was born at the beginning of the 8th century AD. He served as bishop of the city of Catania, located on the coast of the island of Sicily. According to legend, the saint was distinguished by kindness and mercy. He showed compassion to the poor, helped widows, orphans and wanderers. For this, God rewarded him with the gift of miracle-working.

During the time of St. Leo's ministry, the sorcerer Iliodor lived in Catania. He was born into a family of pious Christians and was baptized, but eventually renounced his faith and embarked on the path of serving the devil. The bishop repeatedly exhorted the magician to return to the Lord, but he remained deaf to his words.

One day, when the monk was conducting divine services, Iliodor entered the temple and, with the help of magic, began to confuse the minds of the worshippers. Under the influence of his powers, some began to laugh, others to shout, others to tap their feet on the floor, and soon the people fell into a frenzy.

Then Saint Leo realized that it was time to put an end to the sorcerer's outrages. He came out of the altar, threw his omophorion around the magician's neck and forcibly led him to the square, in the center of which he ordered a large bonfire to be built. When the flame flared up, the bishop entered it with Heliodorus and remained there until the Magus completely burned down. The saint himself emerged from the fire unharmed and returned to the temple to finish the service.

During his life, Saint Leo performed many more miracles: he restored sight to the blind, healed the sick, destroyed idols with a single word, and cast out demons. He died at a very old age, and his relics were preserved in Rome.

Lev Katansky – 2025: folk traditions

In Russia, the celebration in honor of the saint was simply called the Lion of Katansky, or "katysh", since on this day, for the last time in the year, young people sledged through the snow that had not yet descended. It was believed that the more fun this fun would be, the more joy the new season would bring. And the happiest one will be the one whose sled goes the farthest.

Also on this day, round ceremonial cookies were baked on cow's butter. The shape of the treat symbolized the sun and the approaching spring. In addition, on Lev Katansky it was customary to take coals from the blacksmith and pour them on the edge of the field. Thus, people sought to create a union between the land and agricultural implements, so that the future harvest would be a success.

What can and cannot be done on the day of Leo Katansky

In Russia, children under the age of seven were not cut on this day, otherwise, according to legend, they could get sick. Also, they did not start any new business on the holiday, as failure awaited them. Wearing old shoes was considered a bad omen, according to superstitious people, it attracted poverty. But getting rid of old boots and shoes, on the contrary, attracted good luck.

In addition, they tried not to look at shooting stars on Lev Katansky, so as not to encounter various troubles.

Folk signs of March 5

On the memorial day of Lev Katansky in Russia, they closely watched nature. If rooks and jackdaws flew in flocks, and then swooped down, waiting for snowfall. A change in wind direction heralded a short-lived thaw. And the warming of the holiday promised a return of cold weather.

Earlier, Izvestia told about the history and traditions Arkhipov's day.