June 17 is a special holiday for Mitrofan the Dung Man: folk signs and prohibitions

On June 17, Orthodox believers honor the memory of St. Mitrofan, the first Patriarch of Constantinople, a contemporary of Constantine the Great. This date is not a rolling date, it is celebrated annually on the same day. In the villages, people went out to the fields and vegetable gardens on this day to fertilize the land for good plant growth. Therefore, in the national calendar, the holiday was named Mitrofan the Dung Man. Izvestia tells about the history of the celebration and how it was celebrated in the old days.

What holiday is celebrated on June 17th?

Orthodox believers on June 17 commemorate St. Mitrofan of Constantinople, the first Patriarch of Constantinople. Saint Mitrofan lived for 117 years. His relics rest in Constantinople, in a church erected in his memory.

Mitrofan lived in the 4th century and was a contemporary of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine the Great. His father Dometius was the brother of Roman ruler Marcus Aurelius Probus and held a high position in the Christian community.

During the persecution of Christians in Rome, Mitrofan's family moved to Byzantium. There Dometius, along with his two sons, studied the laws of God with Bishop Titus. Soon he was ordained a presbyter, and then elevated to the episcopal throne. After Dometius' death, Mitrofan's elder brother was elevated to the Byzantine episcopal see, and then he himself.

The saint possessed the gift of clairvoyance and was greatly revered by Christians, including the emperor himself. At his request, Mitrofan received the highest ecclesiastical rank at the First Ecumenical Council, becoming the first patriarch of Constantinople. He ruled the church for 11 years and died in 326, being already a very old man. The saint's relics were placed in the church erected in his memory in Constantinople.

The Orthodox Church commemorates St. Mitrofan once a year — on June 17 (June 4, Old style). In Russia, this day has its own traditions associated with the agricultural calendar. In the old days, it was customary to fertilize the land at this time. The peasants believed that if you fertilize the soil on Mitrofan's day, you can count on a good harvest.

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Folk signs of June 17th

In addition to working in the field, our ancestors tried to devote a lot of time to livestock. They cleaned the barn for Mitrofan the Dung Man, fed the animals well so that they would be healthy and bring good offspring.

Another day was considered favorable for healers and herbalists. It was believed that the medicinal properties of various herbs and roots were greatly enhanced during the holiday. They started harvesting in the early morning, when the dew had not yet evaporated. And those who were planning a wedding soon began to actively prepare for the celebration. People believed that if the wedding chores took place on this day, the marriage would be strong and happy.

Much attention was paid to weather signs on Mitrofan. So, if it was raining in the morning, it foreshadowed that there would be an abundance of mushrooms and berries in the forests. If there are a lot of mosquitoes and midges in the yard, the weather will be warm. And if there are no birds at all, heavy precipitation is expected in the coming days.

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According to legend, on June 17, one should not be lazy, otherwise fate will not be kind. Conversely, those who spend the day working and caring can count on well-being in the future. The best work on the holiday was considered to be taking care of plants, vegetable garden and animals. But you should not start new business on this date: everything can turn into a collapse.

Conflicts and quarrels are strictly prohibited. On Mitrofan, it is important to keep peace and harmony in the house, as any disagreement can lead to a protracted feud. Also, you should not borrow things from anyone, especially money, because financial difficulties will begin.

Earlier in June, Ustinov Day was celebrated in Russia. Izvestia told about the history, traditions and prohibitions of this day.