February 23 - an important day of the Slavic folk calendar: folk omens about the arrival of spring in 2025

According to the folk calendar, February 23 is celebrated Prokhor Vesnovei. It is believed that it is from this day winter is waning, giving way to spring. In 2025, the celebration falls on Sunday. About what traditions, customs and omens existed on this day, tell "Izvestia".

The name of the holiday is connected with the name of the Monk Prokhor of Pechersk, who in the XI century took monasticism in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The saint spent much time in prayer and kept a strict fast. He ate only water and cakes made of swan, for which he received the nickname Swan.

At his prayers miracles were performed more than once. According to one of the legends, once there was a famine in Russia. Prokhor made a lot of bread from swan and distributed it to the poor. People made such bread themselves, but it was bitter and tasteless. Prokhor's bread was sweet, as if honey had been added to it.

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Another legend says that when there was a shortage of salt, the saint collected ashes and miraculously turned them into salt. Traders got to know about it and complained about Prokhor to Prince Svyatopolk. He ordered to take away all the salt, but it immediately turned into ash. Then the prince realized that it was God's Providence and repented of his act. Later he has promised, that if will not die earlier, itself will carry a coffin of the saint in Near caves of Pechersk Lavra.

Prokhor died in old age, having had time to perform many more miracles. In Russia, the day of his memory was known as Prokhor's Day or Prokhor Vesnovei. At this time, the sun usually began to blaze and snowdrifts melted. People used to say: "Prokhor - to warmth turn", "Prokhor came - spring looked into the yard", and "February is angry at Prokhor, but he smells spring".

As a rule, there were no noisy festivities on the holiday. Mostly the day was devoted to household chores. At the same time they did not forget about weather omens. Although on Prokhor Vesnovey often came warm days, but people knew that the February weather is deceptive and can change in an instant.

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According to observations, if crows fly up to the very tops of trees on February 23, it will soon snow. If horses lie down on the ground, expect a thaw. And if a bright month shines in the sky, a thunderstorm is possible. There were also omens for the future harvest. Thus, a rich year was heralded by snow falling from the roof, and frosts said that the harvest would be meager.

In addition, many superstitions were associated with the holiday. For example, it was believed that on Prokhor it is impossible to play weddings, otherwise the marriage will be short and unhappy. It was a bad omen to shake change - to lose money. But to hold in your hands paper bills - to riches.

Earlier "Izvestia" told what omens existed on Vukola Telyatnik.