A special holiday on March 7 is Mauritius Day: history, traditions, omens

On March 7, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyr Maurice of Apamea, his son Photius, and 70 soldiers who were martyred for the Christian faith. In the national calendar, the holiday is known as Mauritius Day. In 2026, it falls on a Saturday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.

What is the church holiday on March 7th?

Saint Maurice lived at the turn of the III–IV centuries and was a military commander in Apamea of Syria, a major center of the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire. During the reign of Emperor Maximian Galerius, one of the continuers of the policy of persecution of Christians, he openly professed faith in Jesus and did not prevent his subordinates from doing the same.

According to legend, despite the state ban, Mauritius, his son Fotin (in some sources — Photius) and 70 soldiers from his squad secretly attended Christian services. This became known to the pagan priests, who sent a denunciation to the emperor.

The military commander and his associates were summoned to court. They were offered to save their lives and position if they renounced their faith. However, neither promises of mercy, nor threats, nor tortures shook their resolve and did not force them to renounce Christ.

In an attempt to break Maurice, the emperor ordered his son to be executed in front of his eyes, but even the death of Photius did not force the commander to renounce the faith. This episode has become a key one in the church tradition, as an example of spiritual fortitude that transcends human sorrow.

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Having failed to achieve their goals, the authorities resorted to sophisticated torture. The martyrs were taken to a swampy area where mosquitoes, wasps, and gadflies abounded. Their bodies were smeared with honey and tied to trees. They were tormented by insects, thirst and hunger for 10 days. But despite the physical torments, the soldiers continued to pray and confess Christ.

When the torture did not bring the expected result, Maximian ordered the martyrs to be executed, and the bodies to be left without burial — as a sign of public intimidation. However, local Christians secretly collected the remains at night and buried them.

Traditions of the national holiday of Mauritius day on March 7

In Russia, March 7 was called Mauritius Day or simply Mauritius. This date was perceived by the peasants as a kind of "economic milestone." Despite the fact that there was still snow on the fields, it was impossible to postpone preparations for the new agricultural season. Spring could come suddenly, and with it a muddy mud that would wash away the roads and make them impassable.

That is why in Mauritius, farmers began to export the manure collected during the winter to the arable land. This fertilizer was considered the main guarantee of the future harvest. They did this while the ground was frozen and the carts were not stuck in the mud. The cold was still felt, but it was perceived as temporary. "The frost creaks in Mauritius, but it no longer freezes," the ancestors said.

While the men were preparing the field, the women were busy with household chores and cooking. The obligatory course on March 7 was "black ear". The fish was cooked in cucumber brine with the addition of herbs and roots. The broth was dark and rich. It was believed that such a treat strengthens health and gives strength during the spring vitamin deficiency.

On Mauritius Day, the ancestors were waiting for the return of migratory birds, harbingers of the imminent warmth. It was considered a good omen on a holiday to see how rooks begin to build nests — it promised unexpected joy or a happy change. The birds were necessarily fed, believing that such care promised prosperity.

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On Forgiveness Sunday, quarrels and abusive words were considered undesirable.

Young girls had a special ceremony associated with the return of swallows. If you managed to see a bird that day, you should wash your face with milk — it was believed that this would help preserve your beauty and prevent your face from "fading" ahead of time.

Another festive tradition is turning to the sun. At dawn, the ancestors went out into the courtyard and asked the heavenly body to cleanse the earth of all evil and grant a harvest. His spring rays were considered the allies of farmers, capable of warming not only the soil, but also fate.

They tried to remember the dreams they saw on the night of March 7. There was a belief that they could be fulfilled within six months. Kind and bright visions were considered harbingers of a successful development of events.

What not to do on the Mauritius Day holiday

St. Maurice's Day in Russia was considered the spring "turning point of the year", requiring special care, when any wrong action can negatively affect the future harvest and family well-being. On March 7, a number of prohibitions were in effect, the neglect of which could disrupt harmony in the house and lead to failure in the household. For example, it was forbidden to wash and iron clothes on a holiday. There was a belief that this could attract illnesses and minor quarrels with loved ones.

What else you can't do on March 7:

• destroying birds' nests — according to beliefs, a violator of the "bird's peace" will be covered with ugly spots and bring trouble upon himself;
• actively engage in home cleaning — with a broom you can "sweep out" prosperity and well-being from the house.
• to take up needlework — a girl may face deception or betrayal;
• drying yourself with someone else's towel is a risk of "taking away" someone else's sorrows.;
• fortune—telling, fortune-telling, and love rituals - attempts to predict fate on this day can bring disappointment and misery.;
• lighting candles unnecessarily makes life "bitter".;
• men should be the first to greet women — this can undermine their authority in the family.
• women eat the first egg taken out from under the chicken, leading to quarrels and financial difficulties.

Folk signs for March 7

In Russia, on St. Mauritius Day, peasants carefully observed nature, trying to make long-term forecasts for spring and summer based on signs.:

• cold snap on March 7 — towards rainy summer;
• A clear, sunny day leads to a warm and favorable year.;
• arrival of rooks and swallows — for the imminent arrival of spring;
• A snowstorm leads to a prolonged spring;
• high stationary cumulus clouds in the sky will lead to stable clear weather in the coming days.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and strict prohibitions of the special holiday Timofey Vesnovey.