May 4 — Proclus Day: history, traditions, folk signs
Every year on May 4, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the Holy Martyrs Proculus, Sossius, Faustus and others who gave their lives for the faith during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian. In the national calendar, the holiday is called Proclus Day. In 2025, it falls on a Sunday. Read about its history, traditions and signs in the Izvestia article.
Proclus Day – 2025: the history of the holiday
During the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, at the beginning of the fourth century, the Christian Church experienced one of the most severe periods of persecution in its history. Around 305, Bishop Januarius (Iannuarius) and Christians Proculus, Sossius, Faustus, Disiderius, Eutychius and Akution became victims of repression. Their names have gone down in history as symbols of steadfastness of faith and courage in the face of a deadly threat.
Saint Januarius was arrested for openly professing Christianity and brought to trial before the governor of Campania, Timothy. The bishop was severely tortured and thrown into a red—hot furnace, but the fire did not harm him - he emerged from the flames unharmed, which shocked both the witnesses and the judge himself.
Among the witnesses to the execution were Deacon Faustus and reader Disiderius, who could not hold back their tears at the sight of their mentor's suffering. As a result, their Christian affiliation was exposed, and they were also captured by the authorities.
Deacons Proculus and Sossius, as well as laymen Eutychius and Akution, who had previously been arrested for their faith, were in the same dungeon. The next morning, all the confessors were led into the arena to the wild beasts, as required by pagan custom. However, the animals did not harm the martyrs. The judge, trying to find an explanation for what was happening, accused the Christians of witchcraft, but at that moment he suddenly went blind. After the prayer of Saint Januarius, he regained his sight, however, despite the miraculous healing, he did not repent and, driven by rage, gave the order to execute all the prisoners.
The bodies of the martyrs were buried by believers from different cities of Campania. The Neapolitans moved the remains of Januarius to their place, and also collected his blood, which had dried on the ground after the execution. According to church tradition, when the vessel was placed next to the relics of the saint, it became liquid again, as if it had just been spilled.
Since then, the Holy Martyr Januarius has been revered as one of the main patrons of Naples. Many miracles are attributed to His relics. One of the most famous is associated with the eruption of Vesuvius, when, thanks to prayers to the saint, lava flows stopped on the approaches to the city. Another time, according to legend, an icon with his image brought a dead child back to life.
Folk traditions of the holiday celebrated on May 4th
Although the church calendar commemorates several saints on this day, in Russia May 4 is called Proclus Day. This is due both to the popularity of the name itself among the peasants, and to its similarity in sound to the word "curse." In the folk tradition, rituals were held on the holiday to exorcise evil spirits and protect them from dark forces.
Early in the morning, the old men went outside the village, faced the west (the side that was associated with darkness and evil) and read protective spells. During the holiday, people avoided solo trips to the forest, as, according to legends, spirits roamed there at that time, which could lead a person into the thicket.
In Russia, with the advent of Proclus Day, the so—called lal period began - it was time for folk festivals, songs, round dances and the search for a couple. The girls danced around the blooming apple trees, and the boys looked at the future brides.
What can and cannot be done on May 4, Proclus Day
In the old days, Proclus Day was accompanied by a number of prohibitions and superstitions. Special attention was paid to the protection of home space. It was strictly forbidden to open windows and doors during the holiday. The ancestors believed that evil spirits could enter the house in this way, bringing with them diseases and poverty.
It was not necessary to receive guests, as an uninvited guest could "take away" the luck of the hosts. Special attention was paid to children, and toddlers were not left alone, fearing that evil spirits might frighten them and cause them to stutter.
On the holiday, the ancestors avoided red clothes. According to beliefs, such an outfit could "invite" a quarrel and discord in the family.
It was also not recommended to visit cemeteries on May 4. There was a belief that on Proclus Day in such places one could meet people who possessed witchcraft practices capable of causing damage.
In addition, it was forbidden to cut down trees, break branches or harm the land. It was believed that any violence against nature on this day could lead to crop failures, diseases and poverty. It was a bad omen to fall on Proclus in the rain, as a soaked person could lose his health.
Folk signs for Proclus Day
On May 4, the ancestors carefully observed nature, trying to predict what the summer would be like. If the bird cherry blossomed by this time, heat and drought were expected. And if the apple trees were covered with flowers, they hoped for a warm and favorable June.
Thunder on Proclus was considered a good sign — the peasants crossed themselves and rejoiced, considering it a harbinger of a bountiful harvest. If there were no thunderclaps, they offered prayers and asked God for mercy and fertility.
Earlier, Izvestia reported on folk signs and prohibitions on Radonitsa.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
