April 27 is a significant holiday of Martin Lisogon: customs and omens
The holiday was established in honor of St. Martin, the Pope of Rome. The church honors him on April 27. The celebration was popularly called "Martin the Fox", as it is usually during this period that foxes leave their old holes and start digging new ones. Read about how the holiday was celebrated in the old days, what customs and signs are associated with it, in the Izvestia material.
Martin Lisogon in 2025 — the history of the holiday
Martin lived in the 7th century in the city of Tudertum (modern times). Todi, Italy), received a good education in the Roman Church and was subsequently elected pope of the Christian Church. He openly denounced the Monothelite heresy, which became widespread in Byzantium, for which he was sentenced to death. However, at the last moment, the emperor changed the verdict and ordered Martin to be exiled to Chersonesos. He died there in 655.
In the Catholic Church, Martin is revered as a holy martyr, and in the Orthodox Church as Martin the Confessor. There are many temples named after him in Russia. For example, in Moscow, the Church of St. Martin the Confessor is located in the city center. There are churches consecrated in his honor in Arkhangelsk, Yevpatoria and the suburbs of Sevastopol.
The cult of the saint has existed in Russia since ancient times. He was popularly called Martin the Foxhound, as foxes were actively changing their place of residence at that time, moving from burrow to burrow. The animals were defenseless and became easy prey for hunters.
Martin Lisogon in 2025 — traditions and omens
Martin's Day has another name — Crow's Day. Crows were held in special esteem by the Slavs. They were considered wise and prophetic birds. At the same time, crows were feared, considering their cawing a harbinger of trouble. The people said: "The crow croaks to bad weather, and the raven to bad luck."
In the old days, birds were supposed to be protected and fed in every possible way. To appease the raven, on Martin's Day, the peasants cooked porridge and took it to the field. Our ancestors believed that after the treat, the raven would protect the farm and the future harvest. Scaring crows or hunting birds was strictly forbidden.
In a number of regions, early crops began to be sown on Martin Day. Therefore, great attention was paid to the weather on the holiday. Weather signs were used to determine what the harvest would be. If the day was warm and clear, then one could hope that the year would be satisfying. If it rains, the wheat harvest will be poor and we will have to tighten our belts closer to winter.
There were also screenings in the villages on the holiday. According to popular belief, if a guy and a girl marry on Martin's Day, then their family life will be as easy as a bird's wing.
Martin Lisogon in 2025 — what can and cannot be done
On the day of the veneration of Martin the Confessor, it is forbidden to swear, swear and refuse to help those in need.
If you follow folk superstitions, then on April 27 you can not catch foxes and wear things with fox fur, as well as drive crows out of the yard so that they don't "get into trouble" in response. On this day, you should not wash your wife's and husband's clothes at the same time — to discord in the family. But you can wash children's and parents' clothes together.
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history of the Vasily Parilshchik national holiday and the traditions associated with it.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
