A special holiday on March 12 is Prokop Perezimny: history, traditions, omens
Every year on March 12, Orthodox believers honor the memory of St. Prokopius the Decapolite, a famous ascetic who opposed the iconoclastic heresy. In the national calendar, the holiday is known as Procope Perezimny. In 2026, it falls on a Thursday. Read about its history, traditions, signs and strict prohibitions in the Izvestia article.
What is the church holiday on March 12th?
St. Prokopius lived in the 8th century, he came from the Decapolis region, which in ancient times was the name of the union of ten cities located east of the Lake of Galilee. From an early age, he showed a penchant for spiritual life and, abandoning worldly concerns, took monastic vows in one of the monasteries.
Prokopy devoted himself to strict asceticism, spending his days in prayer, fasting, and spiritual meditation. Due to his purity of life and firmness of character, he gained fame among the monks as an experienced mentor and a zealous guardian of Christian traditions.
During his lifetime, the Byzantine Empire was going through a difficult period. Emperor Leo III the Isaurian decided to ban the veneration of icons, claiming that this tradition allegedly contradicts the Christian faith. This policy, which went down in history as iconoclasm, caused a deep split in the church environment.
Many monks and theologians opposed the imperial decrees. Procopius the Decapolite became one of those who openly fought against the new heresy. Together with other defenders of Orthodoxy, he denounced iconoclasts and defended the church's teaching on the veneration of icons. His sermons and theological arguments were highly respected among the faithful, but this principled position brought upon him the wrath of the ruler.
By order of Leo the Isaurian, the saint was captured and severely tortured, and then thrown into prison. Prokopius, along with his companion, the monk Basil, spent many years in prison. Despite the difficult conditions, they did not renounce their beliefs, continuing to strengthen each other through prayer. It was only after the emperor's death that they managed to free themselves.
Saint Procopius spent the rest of his life in monastic seclusion, continuing the feats of fasting and prayer. He died at a very old age. His spiritual authority remained high, and the memory of his steadfastness strengthened the faith of many Christians.
Traditions of the national holiday Prokop Perezimny on March 12
In Russia, by March 12, winter was finally giving way to spring, the snow was melting, and the ice layer, which had been packed by sledges over the long months of frost, was gradually collapsing, and the roads were turning into a viscous mess. Therefore, in the folk tradition, the day of memory of St. Prokopius the Decapolite received several expressive names — Prokop Perezimny, Perezimnik, Dorogorushitel.
The usual winter routes became impassable, and it was much more difficult to get to neighboring villages. "The snow was lying on Prokopy, and then it ran into the river," "Prokop is destroying the winter road, and he got stuck in a snowdrift," they said in the villages. People understood that this was a temporary phenomenon — soon the spring sun would melt the snow and dry the earth. But during this transition period, peasants preferred to travel less often and spend more time at home.
Hospitality was given special importance during the holiday. It was considered a good omen to keep the door of the house ajar, as if inviting spring and kind people into the house. There was a popular belief that if you helped a lost traveler on Prokop Day, let him into the hut, warm him at the stove and feed him, then the house would not know the need for the whole year.
Despite the spring thaw, men often went hunting or fishing on Prokopy — the day was considered favorable for such activities. The ancestors were closely watching for signs that could portend good luck or bad luck. According to the signs, if a hare ran across the road, it was not necessary to count on prey.
On March 12, in Russia, they always went to the sauna. They started drowning them in the villages in the morning. People believed that hot steam at the Cutting "expels" winter ailments from a person, cleanses accumulated fatigue and prepares the body for the new agricultural season.
What not to do on the Procope Perezimny holiday
On the Procope Perezimny holiday, there were a number of prohibitions, the violation of which, according to beliefs, could lead to misfortunes. So, on March 12, it was not necessary to go on a long journey unless absolutely necessary — the melted snow formed deep ruts and water spills. Therefore, the journey could turn into difficulties or danger. If it was impossible to postpone it, people mentally appealed to St. Prokopius with a request for protection and safe return.
What else you can't do on March 12:
- to swear and sort things out — a quarrel on this day can lead to serious trouble.;
- Cutting your hair is believed to cause it to thin out, and men may develop early baldness.;
- Borrowing money means there is a risk of living in need for the next three years;
- Arrange weddings — marriages concluded on March 12 will be short-lived and unhappy;
- waving your hand after a person leaving on the road is considered a bad omen, which can cause trouble on the way.
Folk signs for March 12
In Russia, on the Procope Overwinter holiday, peasants carefully observed nature and animal behavior, trying to make a weather forecast for the coming weeks.
- a strong drop leads to a successful hunt, but bad roads;
- The sheep are beating their foreheads — a strong wind will rise soon;
- willow blossoms from the top — there will be a rich harvest of bread;
- Snowdrops bloomed on March 12 — it's time to get ready for sowing.
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the signs and strict prohibitions of the special holiday Porfiry the Late.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
