Folk signs for March 19, 2026: what can and cannot be done

From time immemorial, signs have been treated with special attention in Russia. According to them, the ancestors determined the weather for the near future, planned the sowing season and guessed about the upcoming harvest. Every day in the national calendar had its own significance, overgrown with unique traditions and beliefs. Izvestia tells us what holiday is celebrated on March 19, 2026, who the church honors, as well as what prohibitions and superstitions existed on this day.

Folk signs for March 19th

According to the national calendar, on March 19, St. Constantine's Day is celebrated, which is more often called "St. Constantine's Circles". The holiday got its name because of the ancient custom of trampling snow around wells. The peasants believed that in this way it was possible to protect the water in the spring from the penetration of dirty meltwater, keeping it clean and tasty for the whole year.

In the old days, well water was treated with great reverence, as recalled by sayings such as "Don't spit in the well — it will be useful to drink water." There was even a special ceremony.: for the first trampling of the circle, a boy or a man named Konstantin was always called — it was believed that this would give the ceremony a special power. In addition to taking care of the wells, it was customary to go to the sauna on this day to wash off winter fatigue. Deceased relatives were also commemorated on this day. The food after dinner was not specially cleaned, but the remains were taken to the well, thus passing the gift to the ancestors, who, according to legend, looked at the living from the water.

On March 19, special attention was paid to nature observations, which could tell about the weather in the near future. For example, if frosts still made themselves felt, it promised 40 cold days in a row, but at the same time promised a hot and dry summer. And if the rivers began to melt, the ancestors were upset.: This was considered a harbinger of a difficult year and a poor harvest.

Other signs of the day

• a woodpecker knocks on a tree — to the lingering cold weather, spring will not come soon;
• crows caw loudly and gather in flocks — to worsen the weather, inclement weather;
• At dawn, the sky turns purple due to the strong wind.;
• a white stork has arrived — fortunately and a good year for the owners of the house;
• Seeing a wagtail is a sure sign that spring will be warm.;
• clouds float high and fast, leading to good, clear weather.

What not to do on March 19th

On Constantine's Day, there were a number of strict prohibitions, the violation of which, according to the ancestors, could bring upon the family poverty, illness and long quarrels. People were afraid of conflicts and bad words, especially near wells, as water, according to beliefs, could remember the negative and transfer it into the house. It was also believed that on this day you should not be idle and refuse help, otherwise you will be left without the support of higher powers in a difficult moment. Pregnant women tried not to approach the wells, believing that this could harm the unborn child.

What else can't be done on March 19th:

• drinking water from someone else's well or from someone else's mug promises financial difficulties and illnesses.;
• pouring water unnecessarily, splashing it or wasting it leads to troubles and obstacles in all matters.;
• swearing, swearing and gossiping — all the negativity will return to the offender.;
• leaving the child with the mother for the whole day (they tried to give the baby to the grandmothers) — otherwise the child will grow up spoiled;
• letting a stranger into your well leads to the spoilage and evil eye of the family.

Church holidays on March 19th

On March 19, the Orthodox Church commemorates the 42 martyrs of the Amorites. These holy warriors lived in the 9th century in the Byzantine city of Amorea (in Asia Minor). At that time, there was a fierce struggle against the Saracens, who invaded the empire. After the betrayal of the governor, the city fell, and the noble and powerful inhabitants, including 42 military leaders, were captured and sent to Syria.

In captivity, the Saracens tried for seven years to break the spirit of Christians. The prisoners were promised wealth, freedom, and honors if they renounced Christ and converted to Islam. However, the soldiers, among whom were Constantine, Aetius, Theophilus, Theodore and others, remained steadfast in their faith. Seeing the firmness of the martyrs, the torturers brought women of easy virtue to them, hoping to tempt them to sin, but this did not help either. Angered by the disobedience of the captives, in 845 the Saracens sentenced them to death by beheading with a sword, and the bodies were thrown into the Euphrates River.

In addition to the memory of the Amorite martyrs, this day also commemorates the Venerable Job of Anzer, in the schema of Jesus (1720), and the finding of the Precious Cross and nails by the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Queen Elena in Jerusalem (326). In 2026, this day falls during Lent, so believers are advised to abstain from fast food and pay special attention to prayer.

Prayers on March 19th

Believers turn to the 42 martyrs of the Amorites with prayers for the gift of perseverance in faith and courage in life's trials. They are asked to protect themselves from enemies, visible and invisible, and to strengthen their spirits during times of persecution and injustice. They pray to St. Constantine for the preservation of peace in the family and well-being in the home. Also on this day, prayers are offered to equal-to-the-Apostles Tsarina Elena, asking her for help in acquiring spiritual values and guidance on the true path.

Prayer to the 42 Martyrs of the Amorites: Constantine, Aetius, Theophilus, Theodore, Melissenus, Callistus, Vasya and others

Troparion, glas 4

"Thy martyrs, O Lord, have received incorruptible crowns in their sufferings from Thee, our God, for Thou hast possessed Thy fortress, and hast laid low the tormentors, and crushed the demons of feeble insolence. Through those prayers, save our souls."

Kontakion, glas 4

"Having suffered on earth for Christ's sake, having appeared as a pious crown, you have accepted heaven to live in joy: for you have overthrown all the machinations of the enemy with the diseases and blood of your plagues, and you always give sin to those who praise from above."

Greatness

"We magnify you, holy passion-bearers, and honor your honorable sufferings, which you have endured for Christ."

Also on March 19, believers read a prayer to the Holy Equal—to-the-Apostles Constantine and Elena asking for family savings, help in raising children (including their appearance - getting rid of infertility), softening the "sharp corners" in relationships, developing harmony, trusting relationships, and maintaining love.

Prayer to the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Elena

The first prayer
About the praiseworthy and all-laudable tsar, Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine and Elena! To you, as a warm intercessor, we offer our unworthy prayers, for your greatness and your boldness to the Lord. Ask Him for the peace of the Church and the well-being of the whole world, wisdom as a ruler, care for the flock as a pastor, humility for the flock, welcome repose for the elder, strength for the husband, beauty for the wives, purity for the virgin, obedience for the children, Christian upbringing for the infant, healing for the sick, reconciliation for the hostile, patience for the offended, and the fear of God. To those who come to this temple and pray in it, may the holy blessing and all that is useful at their request, may we praise and sing to the Benefactor of all, God, Who is glorified in the Trinity, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

The second prayer
About Saints Constantine and Elena, Equal-to-the-Apostles! Deliver this parish and our temple from all the slander of the enemy and do not forsake us, the weak (names), through your intercession, beseech the goodness of Christ our God to grant us peace of mind, abstinence from pernicious passions and all defilement, and unfeigned piety. Ask us, ladies of God, from above for a spirit of meekness and humility, a spirit of patience and repentance, so that we may live the rest of our lives in faith and contrition of the heart, and so at the hour of our end we will thankfully praise the Lord who glorified you, the Beginningless Father, His Only Begotten Son, and the Consubstantial All-good Spirit, the Undivided Trinity, forever and ever. Amen.

Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to the martyrs Eutropius of Amasia, Cleonicus and Basilisk.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.