March 12 — Prokop Dorogorushitel: history, traditions, omens

Every year on March 12, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the Christian monk and ascetic Procopius the Decapolite, who lived in the 13th century. In the national calendar, the holiday is called Prokop Perezimnik, or Dorogorushitel. In 2025, the date falls on Wednesday. Read about its history, traditions and signs in the Izvestia article.

Prokop Dorogorushitel – 2025: the history of the holiday

St. Procopius the Decapolite was born in the 13th century in the eastern part of the Decapolis (Decapolis), near the Lake of Galilee. In his youth, he decided to leave the worldly life and devote himself to the service of God, reading prayers and leading a modest lifestyle. Spiritual exploits and purity of soul made the saint an outstanding figure among ascetics.

During the reign of Emperor Leo the Isaurian, heresy began to spread in the country, whose supporters sought to eradicate the tradition of venerating icons.

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Saint Procopius, being a zealous defender of the Orthodox faith, openly opposed iconoclasm, exposing the false arguments of its supporters. His sermons and uncompromising stance provoked the emperor's anger, and he soon found himself among the persecuted.

By order of Leo the Isaurian, the monk was severely tortured and then thrown into prison. He spent many years in prison, enduring the trials with fortitude, until the death of the emperor put an end to the persecution. Procopius, along with other holy martyrs, gained freedom.

The monk returned to monastic life and spent his last years in prayer, guiding many on the path of virtue and salvation.

Traditions of the national holiday celebrated on March 12

Saint Procopius is mentioned in the national calendar twice: on December 5 and March 12. At the beginning of winter, the day of Prokop the Winter, the patron saint of the toboggan roads, is celebrated. In the old days they used to say: "The Winter Trench will dig the road, and the Winter Trench will destroy it." These seasonal landmarks allowed the peasants to prepare for changes in weather and road conditions.

The ancestors believed that a real spring was coming to Prokopy, the snow was actively melting, the tobogganing path was becoming unstable, and meltwater was eroding roads, making them impassable. There were many sayings among the people on this occasion: "The snow was lying on Prokopy, and then it ran into the river," "Prokop ruins the road, but he got stuck in a snowdrift."

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Therefore, on March 12 in Russia, before leaving the courtyard, it was customary to "listen" to the road, to check whether the tobogganing and ice ice were reliable. They also listened to the drops on this day. If it was plentiful, you shouldn't have gone on a long journey.

The hunting season for hares began on Prokopiy. However, the ancestors believed that if this animal ran across the road to people, one should not enter the forest, trouble could happen. An unsuccessful hunt was also promised by a dog that crossed the path.

What can and cannot be done during the celebration of Prokop Dorogorushitel

Rituals were to be performed on Prokop to protect homes from thieves. To do this, the hinges of the doors were greased with wolf fat, saying: "Just as a gray hare will not take a wolf by the throat, so no one will steal anything from me."

It was also customary to receive any visitors on the holiday, without denying anyone hospitality and treats.

Among the prohibitions of this day are quarrels and loud swearing. Also, on March 12, one should not have gone on a long journey unnecessarily and refused other people's requests. And women were not recommended to do needlework — it was believed that you could easily get hurt.

Folk signs on March 12

On March 12, nature was observed in Russia to determine what spring and summer would be like.

It was a good sign to see the first greenery on the ground. The people said on this occasion: "Spring has a sharp nose, it makes its way everywhere." This meant that the cold weather had finally receded, spring would be early and warm, and summer would be hot. The appearance of snowdrops meant that it was time to start plowing.

The rain on Prokop promised the same rainy summer. And the willow tops that bloomed on March 12 foreshadowed that the crops would rise quickly.

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