Folk signs for March 5th: 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 Thursday, March 5, and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for March 5th

In Russia, the Lev Katysh holiday was celebrated on March 5. The name was associated with the latest winter fun. It was believed that from that day on, winter finally "rolls" downhill, giving way to spring, and you need to have plenty of sledding. The further away he managed to get, the happier and longer his life promised to be.

People used to say, "Whoever slides further will prolong his happiness." There was also a saying "A ball is a bruise in the side", reflecting the inevitable falls and bruises. Another important tradition of the day was the preparation of ceremonial cookies — kokuroki or kolobok, which symbolized the sun and the approaching warmth.

The housewives cooked round buns in cow's oil, and on fast days — without adding oil. Baking was not only a treat, but also a talisman. She was treated to household members and neighbors with wishes that the year would turn out well. Sometimes small fortune—telling objects were baked in cookies: a ring for marriage, a coin for wealth.

During the holiday, the peasants closely monitored the changes in the weather in order to predict what the season would be like. Usually the day fell during a period when frosts could still return, but the sun was already noticeably increasing. If the weather was clear on Lev Katysh and the sun was shining brightly, then a warming was expected soon. And if it was cloudy, they knew that the warm weather would not come soon.

Other signs of the day:

• ice on the roads stays in the morning — by the return of night frosts;
• The wind is picking up in the evening, leading to a change in the weather in the coming days.;
• the snow settles, thawing appears — to the rapid course of spring waters;
• the snow has become loose and rough, leading to a good harvest of bread;
• if the snow has fallen and does not melt, the year may be lean.

What not to do on March 5th

On the day of Leo Katysh, there were strict prohibitions that our ancestors were afraid to violate. It was believed that improper behavior could bring trouble for the whole year. For example, it was not recommended to wear old, worn-out shoes. According to legend, this could attract poverty or problems on the road. They also tried not to provoke conflicts and not to respond rudely to rudeness. In the old days, it was believed that a quarrel started on that day would drag on for a long time.

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What else can not be done on March 5th:

• Looking at the night sky leads to anxious thoughts and anxiety;
• starting new businesses will either drag on or not bring results.
• being lazy and idle leads to the accumulation of everyday problems;
• rattling dishes and buckets can attract minor troubles and quarrels into the house.

What is the church holiday on March 5th?

On March 5 (February 20, Old style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Leo of Katan. The saint lived in the 8th century on the island of Sicily in the city of Catania (modern Catana). He was born into a noble family, devoted himself to the service of the church from his youth and became a monk. For his virtuous life and charity, he was elected bishop of his hometown. Saint Leo became famous for his works of mercy: he took care of orphans, the poor, widows and the sick, and also cured illnesses with his prayers.

The most famous legend is about his opposition to the sorcerer Heliodorus, who, although he was baptized, renounced Christ and engaged in magic, misleading people with false miracles. The lion ordered a bonfire to be lit in the town square and entered the flames with the sorcerer. Iliodor burned down, but Bishop Leo, by the power of God, remained unharmed. This miracle made many doubters strengthen their faith and embark on the path of repentance.

On the same day, the church remembers the blessed Prince Yaroslav the Wise, one of the most prominent rulers of Ancient Russia. He was the son of Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich, the baptist of Russia, and became famous as a far-sighted statesman and wise ruler. During his reign in the XI century, statehood was strengthened, culture developed and Christianity was actively spread.

Under Yaroslav, large-scale construction of temples and the first monasteries was carried out, among which St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev occupies a special place. Also during his reign, the first written code of laws in Russia was created — Russian Truth. This document became an important step in the formation of the legal system and regulation of various aspects of public life, including trade, property relations and responsibility for crimes.

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Prayers on March 5th

St. Leo of Katana is asked to strengthen faith, help in overcoming life's trials and temptations, as well as to preserve peace and harmony in the family. They pray to Prince Yaroslav the Wise for the gift of prudence and wisdom in making important decisions, for justice in business, family harmony and the well-being of the state.

Prayer to Leo of Catania

"O holy head, Venerable father, most blessed Abba Leo, do not forget your poor ones to the end, but always remember us in holy and auspicious prayers to God: <...> do not be silent for us to the Lord, and do not despise us who honor you with faith and love: remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God. <...> Do not depart from us in spirit, keeping us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of demons and the machinations of the devil, our good shepherd. <...> We bow down to you and pray to you: pray for us to Almighty God, for the benefit of our souls, and grant us time to May we repent, may we pass from earth to heaven unchallenged, and may we be delivered from bitter ordeals, demons of the air, and eternal torment, and may we be heirs of the heavenly kingdom with all the righteous who have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ from the beginning.: To Him belongs all glory, honor, and worship, together with His Beginningless Father, and with His All-holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that.".

Prayer to Yaroslav the Wise

"O Holy and faithful Grand Duke Yaroslav, gracious intercessor and patron of all who lovingly honor you! Lift up this little supplication of your unworthy servants to Master Christ, that He may establish in His Most Holy Church the living spirit of the Orthodox faith, love, piety, and prosperity in good deeds; that He may grant pastors zeal for the salvation of people, so that they may enlighten the unbelieving, instruct the erring, and convert the fallen; and, more than that, may all the children of the Orthodox Church be kept pure from worldly temptations, superstition, superstitions and delusions of the enemy. O God's servant, do not despise us who pray to you, but help us through your speedy intercession, so that, having escaped all troubles, misfortunes and sorrows in this temporary life, we may find an unashamed end and, having lived so well on earth, we may be worthy of heavenly life in heaven, where together with you we glorify humanity and generosity in the Trinity glorified God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to St. Theodore of Sanaksara.

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