Folk signs for March 25: 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 March 25 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for March 25
In the calendar of the Eastern Slavs, March 25 was called Feofanov Day. This date was an important starting point in anticipation of real warmth. It was believed that from this moment on, winter finally loses its power, giving way to spring. The peasants also associated Feofanov's day with the beginning of preparations for the agricultural season.
The owners carefully inspected and repaired the harnesses, harrows and ploughs, checked the stocks of seeds. Special attention was paid to horses, which were the main helpers in the upcoming plowing. They were taken out into the courtyard, cleaned and watered with meltwater, which, according to legend, gained healing power on the holiday.
Even in the old days, it was customary to walk around horses with an icon to protect them from the evil eye and diseases during hard working hours. On this day, the women were engaged in cleaning the house, getting rid of the accumulated garbage over the winter, and began to weave canvases, pronouncing special spells for good luck in needlework.
Special importance was attached to the morning sun — it was believed that its rays bring strength and purification. People tried to spend more time outdoors, observing the changes in nature. There are also many weather signs associated with St. Feofan's Day. People used to say, "Like Feofan, so is April," and "The sun is on Feofan for a good summer."
Other signs of the day:
- early arrival of rooks and larks — for a friendly and warm spring;
- The north wind blows, leading to prolonged cold weather;
- the horse snorts and shakes its head — for bad weather soon;
- a foggy day leads to a good harvest of flax, hemp and oats;
- frost on the trees — there will be a rich harvest of spring crops in summer.
What not to do on March 25
During this period, it was considered especially important to remain calm and avoid conflicts, so as not to spoil the coming year. The ancestors believed that any negative action could affect the harvest and the health of the family. For example, it was forbidden to quarrel with loved ones, as this promised long-term disagreements. It was also not recommended to be lazy, as inaction could lead to financial difficulties.
What else can not be done on March 25:
- offending horses means losing the help of a breadwinner in times of distress;
- wearing dirty or torn clothes leads to poverty and failure;
- to start new big businesses — they will not succeed;
- throwing away bread leads to losses and hardship;
- leaving the house in disarray leads to troubles in the family;
- to refuse to help those in need is to spend the whole year in hardship.
What is the church holiday on March 25?
On March 25 (March 12, Old Style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Theophanes the Confessor— a Byzantine monk, chronicler and theologian of the VIII–IX centuries. He was born into a noble family and received a good education, but renounced worldly life and became a monk, devoting himself to spiritual service, prayer and work for the benefit of the church.
Feofan became famous as a defender of iconoclasm during the period of iconoclastic disputes. He openly opposed the prohibition of holy images, for which he was persecuted. Despite the pressure, he did not renounce his beliefs and continued to serve the church. The monk is also known as the author of the most important historical work, Chronography, which had a significant impact on the Orthodox tradition.
On the same day, St. Symeon the Theologian, one of the greatest Byzantine mystics and theologians, who lived at the turn of the 10th—11th centuries, is remembered. Simeon is known for his writings, in which he paid special attention to his personal experience of communicating with God. He taught that everyone can achieve spiritual enlightenment through sincere prayer and repentance. His views caused controversy among his contemporaries, but over time they were recognized by the church.
After his death, the saint was canonized and revered as one of the great teachers of the church. Centuries ago, he was given the nickname "The New Theologian," which underscores the importance of his spiritual legacy for believers.
Prayers on March 25
Both saints are considered the patrons of those who seek the truth and strive for spiritual development. On Memorial Day, they are approached with various requests. They pray to Theophan the Confessor for perseverance in faith, protection from unfair accusations and strengthening of the spirit. Simeon the Theologian is asked for spiritual enlightenment, inner peace and sincere faith. It is believed that prayer uttered on a holiday is especially powerful.
Prayer to Theophan the Confessor
"O holy head, Venerable Father, Most Blessed Abbot Theophane, do not forget your poor to the end, but always remember us in holy and auspicious prayers to God: remember your flock, which you have saved yourself, and do not forget to visit your children. Pray for us, holy Father, for your spiritual children, for you have boldness to the Heavenly King: do not be silent for us to the Lord, and do not despise us, who honor you with faith and love: <...> 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. <...> Pray for us to Almighty God, for the benefit of Grant us time for repentance, so that we may pass from earth to heaven unhindered, 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 time immemorial.: 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 Simeon the New Theologian
"O God-bearing, Christ-bearing, and spirit-bearing Father Simeon, New Theologian, praise the venerable ones, glory to the priests, delight to the theologians, and intelligent prayers to the teacher, who hast glorified God and been glorified by God in thy life. <...> Accept this song, for we offer thee as a small and insignificant gift, for the great gifts of grace, which we all bestow. Let me take pleasure in receiving from you, from the Book of your sacred words, and do not reject this, for I am unworthy of your splendor: for I am weak, and I am worthy to praise you, a great theologian. And in this life, through your prayers, preserve us from all harm, mental and physical, of the enemy visible and invisible, praying unceasingly to God who is in the Trinity. <...> Through your powerful intercessions, deliver us from terrible condemnation and eternal torment, and make us worthy of eternal bliss in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom all glory belongs, honor and worship, with His beginningless Father and His Most Holy and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to St. Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem.
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