Folk signs for March 1st: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, omens have been given special importance since ancient times. They were used to judge the weather, when to sow and harvest, and what to expect in the future. Therefore, every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the popular signs of Sunday, March 1, and which church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for March 1st

In Russia, Yarilin's Day was celebrated on the first day of spring. The holiday was associated with the veneration of Yarila, a symbol of the spring sun, the renewal of nature and the awakening of vitality. It was believed that it was from this time that winter gradually gave way to warmth, and sunlight became stronger and more noticeable. The people said: "Yarilo came and brought spring on his wings."

In the old days, on Yaril's Day, it was customary to go out on high ground or to the outskirts of the village to "call spring" with songs and chants. They also held rituals aimed at attracting prosperity and family well-being.

We tried to spend the day in a calm and friendly atmosphere, not forgetting about household chores. The housewives aired the houses, took out clothes and a bed in the sun — it was believed that sunlight cleanses and brings health. They also treated neighbors and travelers, believing that generosity would return a hundredfold in early spring.

According to the weather on Yaril's day, they tried to determine what spring and summer would be like. For example, a clear sun foreshadowed an early warming, and a strong wind — prolonged changeable weather. Our ancestors also believed that the brighter the sun on that day, the more bountiful the future harvest would be.

Other signs of the day:

• morning fog — for wet weather in the coming days;
• cloudy weather — spring will be long and cold;
• Crows are cawing loudly — it's getting cold;
• long icicles on the roofs — for a long spring;
• the cat is looking for a warm place — for the return of frost;
• the snow melts quickly — the summer will be rainy.

What not to do on March 1st

People believed that the beginning of spring requires caution in words and deeds, otherwise you can scare away luck. They were especially afraid of conflicts and rudeness, because they believed that the negativity shown on this day would accompany a person throughout the season. I was advised not to be lazy and idle so that the year would turn out well.

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What else can't be done on March 1st:

• throwing away bread leads to hardship and losses;
• Complaining about fate leads to new difficulties;
• Holding grudges against loved ones can lead to protracted family conflicts.;
• to refuse help leads to loss of luck and prosperity.;
• making empty promises will result in a loss of trust.

What is the church holiday on March 1st?

On March 1 (February 16, Old Style), the Orthodox Church honors St. Macarius (Nevsky), Metropolitan of Moscow and Kolomna, one of the prominent missionaries of Altai, who spread the Orthodox faith among local peoples and translated liturgical texts.

Makary was born in the 19th century. He became particularly famous for his missionary work and caring for people regardless of their origin. The saint strove to speak to everyone in an understandable language, helping them to come to faith. For his selfless work, he was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan of Moscow.

Even during the years of trials and illnesses, the saint maintained humility and continued his spiritual guidance. After his death, his memory remained as a pastor who devoted his life to serving his neighbors.

On the same day, a celebration is held in honor of the Cyprus (Stromyn) Icon of the Mother of God, which is kept today in the Assumption Church of the village of Stromyn. According to church tradition, the ancient revered image was given by St. Sergius of Radonezh as a blessing to his disciple Savva— the second abbot of the Stromyn monastery.

For a long time, the shrine was revered only at the local level, but in the 19th century it became widely known. The reason was the miraculous healing in 1841 of an eighteen-year-old girl suffering from a serious illness. After this event, the veneration of the icon spread significantly, and the day of her memory became an important date in the church calendar.

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Prayers on March 1st

Believers turn to St. Macarius with requests for spiritual support, strengthening of faith and help in life difficulties. In front of the Cyprus (Stromyn) Icon of the Mother of God, they pray for family peace, the health of loved ones and the well-being of children. They also ask for protection from mental doubts. It is believed that sincere prayer on this day helps to find inner peace and hope.

Prayer to St. Macarius

"O great saint, to the Mother See of the Russian Church, to the city of Moscow, to the pastor and teacher, our Father Macarius! <...> We fall down to you in the tenderness of our hearts and fervently pray: be a warm intercessor for us at the Throne of the Almighty and beseech the All-good God: may He not despise us, who have fallen into many and cruel sins, but grant We also beseech you, Holy One, to ask the All-merciful God for the spirit of reason and wisdom, so that we may be adorned with the true knowledge of God in the saving writings of the holy fathers and the wisdom of their creations. To her, holy one of God, beseech the Lord for the peace of the whole world, keep our country in peace and serenity through your intercession; preserve all the people of our fatherland in a good disposition to each other and show them that they are strangers to internecine unrest. <...> Be a speedy helper to all of us in our needs, so that we may be nurtured by you, and live peacefully and piously in May we be worthy of this life and eternal blessings in heaven, glorifying and exalting the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession for us forever and ever. Amen to that."

Prayer in front of the icon of Cyprus

"O most pure <...> Virgin, O God-fearing Lady! <...> Appear to me ever, as a merciful and merciful and loving one, a warm intercessor and helper in my present life, who drives away all invasions, and guides me to salvation, and guards my wretched soul during my exodus, and the dark eyes of evil demons. cast me far from it, but deliver me from eternal torment on the terrible day of judgment, and show me the ineffable glory of Your Son and God our heir; may I, O my Lady, Most Holy Theotokos, through Your intercession and intercession, through the grace and love of mankind, of Your Only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who All glory, honor, and worship are due, together with His Beginningless Father and His Most Holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray for on the day of the Vilna Icon of the Mother of God.

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