Folk signs for March 29: 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 29 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for March 29

According to the national calendar, Savvin, or Cart Day, is celebrated on March 29. The name is due to the fact that in Russia at that time the snow finally came down and the peasants began to prepare the main village transport — a cart. The people said: "Leave the sleigh for Savvin, move the cart," which symbolized the final transition from winter to spring and the beginning of active preparations for work in the field.

During the holiday, the carts were taken out of the barns, carefully inspected, the wheels were repaired, the shafts were strengthened and the axles were lubricated. It was important to fix all the malfunctions in advance to avoid problems at the height of the agricultural season. The owner, who harnessed the horse without first checking the cart, was considered unlucky.

After all the repairs were completed, a special ceremony was performed: the cart was harnessed and slowly driven around the village, carefully listening to the sound of the wheels. The creak of the front left wheel, according to legend, foreshadowed illness, the front right — wealth, the rear left — debts and financial difficulties, and the rear right — luck and money.

The weather was also closely monitored at this time. If the weather was warm and sunny on Savva's day, then the whole upcoming spring, according to the signs, promised to be the same. And if the birds gathered in flocks and started swimming in puddles, this was a sure sign of rapid and steady warming.

Other signs of the day:

• cloudy day leads to prolonged rains;
• clouds high in the sky — for warmth;
• The cattle are worried about a change in the weather;
• fog in the morning — for a stormy summer;
• The ice is actively melting on the rivers in time for the harvest year.

What not to do on March 29th

There were also strict prohibitions on the holiday, designed to protect the family from harm. For example, it was believed that after sunset one should not eat bread and any flour products — this could lead to poverty and a hungry year. Even the ancestors were afraid to start important things without preparation, because they believed that haste would lead to failures in the future.

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What else can not be done on March 29:

• quarreling with loved ones leads to protracted conflicts;
• to refuse help leads to a loss of trust and support.;
• Treating horses rudely is a risk to animal diseases;
• using a faulty tool can lead to injury and loss.

What is the church holiday on March 29th?

On March 29 (March 16, Old Style), the Orthodox Church commemorates the Martyr Savin of Hermopolis (Egypt), as well as the Holy Martyrs Trofim and Phalus of Laodicea. These saints suffered for the Christian faith during the era of persecution of Christians in the III–IV centuries.

The Martyr Savin was the ruler of the Egyptian city of Hermopolis. When the repressions intensified under Emperor Diocletian, he, being a deeply religious man, left his post, wealth and home to secretly hide in a remote village with like-minded people. There he led a strict life of fasting and prayer, continuing to help those in need.

According to legend, one beggar, whom Savin constantly helped, showed the soldiers the place of his refuge for two gold coins. This event was perceived by contemporaries as a sad repetition of the image of Judas, who sold Christ for 30 pieces of silver. Together with other Christians, the saint was captured by pagans, tortured and, after much torture, drowned in the Nile.

The Holy Martyrs Trofim and Fal served as presbyters in Laodicea of Caria during the reign of the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. For professing Christianity, they were taken into custody and brought for interrogation to the ruler Asclepiodotus.

By his order, the saints were pelted with stones, but, according to the hagiography, the stones flew back and hit the throwers themselves. Then the martyrs were sentenced to crucifixion. Asclepiodotus himself soon fell ill and died a terrible death.

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Prayers on March 29

Believers turn to the Martyr Savin of Hermopolis with requests for the gift of patience in trials, sorrows, illnesses and life difficulties. Holy Martyrs Trofim and Fal are prayed for help in difficult life choices, protection from filth and betrayal. Since the saints suffered from an unfair trial, they are also asked for support in cases of harassment and a successful outcome in court cases.

Prayer to Savin Hermopolsky

"O holy servant of God, Martyr Savin! Having labored with a good deed on earth, you have perceived the crown of righteousness in heaven, and the Lord has prepared it for all who love Him. Looking at your holy image, we rejoice at the glorious end of your residence and honor your holy memory. But you, standing before the Throne of God, accept our supplications and offer them to the All-merciful God, that He may forgive us every sin and help us against the wiles of the devil, so that, having been delivered from sorrows, diseases, troubles and misfortunes, and all evil, we may live piously and righteously in this world and be worthy of your intercession, even if we are unworthy. May you see the good in the lands of the living, glorifying God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen to that."

Prayer to Trofim and Phalus of Laodicea

Troparion, glas 4:

"As warriors, martyrs of invincibility, who enter into the judgment seat of the infidels by an unbroken stream, and for the sake of faith endure many torments, confessing the One Christ with boldness. Pray to that, Trofim and Theophile and the others, that we may put aside the burden of our passions, and now we will sing of your suffering, passion-bearers of invincibility."

Kontakion, glas 2:

"You have appeared as luminaries of light, Divine martyrs, illuminating the whole creation with the brightness of miracles, resolving illnesses, and always driving away deep darkness, praying unceasingly to Christ our God for all of us."

Earlier, Izvestia told about what they pray to St. John of the Ladder.

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