March 14 is a special Russian holiday Avdotya Vesnovka: folk signs, superstitions, prohibitions

Every year on March 14, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the early Christian martyr Evdokia, who lived in Phoenicia in the second century. In the national calendar, the holiday is called Avdotya Vesnovka. In 2025, it falls on a Friday. Read about the history of the date, its traditions and signs in the Izvestia article.

What holiday is celebrated in Russia on March 14, 2025

Evdokia was born in the II century in the city of Iliopolis in Phoenicia in what is now Lebanon during the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan. Nature endowed her with beauty and charm, which she used for selfish purposes, leading a sinful lifestyle. She became very wealthy, accepting fans from different countries.

A fateful turn in her life occurred when Herman, a monk, arrived in the city where Evdokia lived. The woman accidentally overheard him reading a passage from the Holy Scriptures, which narrated about the Second Coming and the Last Judgment. These words shocked her and made her change her life.

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Evdokia was baptized, distributed her possessions to the poor, released her slaves and entered a monastery, where she devoted herself to the service of God. After many years of monasticism, the woman became the head of this monastery, becoming famous for her spiritual wisdom and good deeds. According to legend, she also acquired the gift of healing ailments through prayer.

In 152, during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Antoninus, Evdokia was accused of witchcraft and executed. Her life story is considered a model of spiritual transformation and steadfastness of faith.

Russian superstitions: what not to do today

The folk form of the name Evdokia is Avdotya, therefore in ancient times the holiday had different names: Evdokia Ivy, Avdotya Vesnovka, Evdokia Svistunya. In Russia, the date had not only a calendar, but also a sacred meaning, since according to the old style it was celebrated on March 1 and coincided with the beginning of the New Year.

This day should have been celebrated noisily and cheerfully, with feasts and festivities. It was also customary to conduct rituals for early warming on Avdotya. Men swept snow off roofs and knocked down icicles, and women and young girls climbed onto roofs and hills and "clicked" the heat. They were saying: "Spring is red! What have you brought us? Red lethko!". There was also a tradition of baking cookies in the shape of swallows or larks and distributing them to children.

On the holiday, women began to weave. There was a belief that things created on this day acquired miraculous power. New products were dipped into reservoirs, as river and meltwater was considered curative on March 14. The ancestors believed that clothes sewn and washed on Avdotya could heal ailments.

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There are many prohibitions associated with this day. The ancestors believed that on March 14, plans should not be made and voiced, as they would not come true. You should also not make expensive purchases — the money will be wasted.

On this holiday, our ancestors avoided quarrels and conflicts, as they believed that a disagreement could drag on for a long time. It was strictly forbidden on Avdotya to refuse help to those in need, so as not to remain in poverty himself. In addition, it was forbidden to wash children's clothes — according to beliefs, this could cause illness in the baby.

Folk signs for Avdotya Vesnovka

There have been many signs since March 14th. The peasants closely watched nature on this day, believing that the weather conditions on Avdotya determined the future harvest. The people on this occasion condemned: "Avdotya Vesnovka equips spring", "Avdotya is like summer."

So, the clear and warm weather predicted that there would be a lot of wheat in the fall. A little snow promised an abundance of mushrooms, and a blizzard promised a prolonged spring and a lean summer.

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