Folk signs for April 4: 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 April 4 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for April 4th
In Russia, on April 4, the feast of Vasily Teply, or Vasily Kapelnik, was celebrated. By this time, the sun was already noticeably warming, the earth was gradually freed from the winter cover, and spring drops began to flow from the roofs, whose ringing was perceived as the "voice of spring", heralding the renewal of nature and the beginning of a new economic cycle. In the old days they used to say: "Spring warms the earth for Vasily," or "Vasily drips — the earth gets wet."
Usually at this time, the peasants went out to inspect the fields, checked the condition of the arable land, and prepared the equipment for sowing. The women were cleaning the house, taking out excess garbage, symbolically getting rid of the winter stagnation. In some regions, it was customary to fumigate a dwelling with herbs to "drive away the remnants of cold and illness."
If the family was going to build a new house, a bathhouse, or a barn for livestock, they carefully studied how meltwater ran through the yard. The place where all the streams flowed was considered unsuitable for construction, as the structure would quickly become damp and unusable. They chose only dry areas, believing that the house would stay there for a long time.
Vasily Teply was also closely monitored for the weather, as future crops depended on it. It was believed that on this day it was possible to judge what April and the beginning of May would be like. These observations are reflected in the sayings: "As Basil is, so is April" and "Warm Basil leads to good bread."
Other signs of the day:
- rain or sleet — for a prolonged spring;
- south wind — to the rapid warming;
- cloudy sky — for wet weather in the coming days;
- birds are actively singing — towards sustainable warmth;
- thunder on this day is for the harvest summer.
What not to do on April 4th
There were also a number of warnings associated with the holiday, the violation of which, according to beliefs, could deprive a person of good luck in early spring and bring misfortune for the whole year. For example, several important cases should not have been started on Vasily Teply at once — it was believed that none of them could be completed. At the same time, it was forbidden to be lazy and idle in order to avoid poverty and lack of money.
What else can't be done on April 4th:
- quarreling and swearing can lead to protracted conflicts.;
- lending money leads to financial losses;
- Eating bread from the hump is a recipe for minor troubles;
- women drying themselves with someone else's towel leads to discord in the family;
- telling about your plans will not come true.
What is the church holiday on April 4th?
On April 4 (March 22, Old style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Basil of Ancyra, a presbyter in Ancyra of Galatia, who lived in the fourth century. His life fell at the time of the spread of the Arian heresy, which denied the divine nature of Christ. Vasily firmly defended Orthodox teaching, despite threats and pressure from the authorities.
He actively opposed false teachings and called for the unity of the Church. Even during the period of persecution, he continued to preach, becoming famous as a defender of the purity of the faith and a wise pastor. His steadfastness and courage became an example of spiritual strength for many Christians. As a result, Basil was martyred, remaining true to his beliefs.
On the same date, they commemorate the resurrection of the righteous Lazarus and celebrate Lazarus Saturday, one of the most significant days before Holy Week. According to the Gospel, Lazarus was resurrected by Jesus on the fourth day after his death. Because of this, it is often called a Four-day event.
This miracle became one of the clearest evidences of the divine power of Christ. It strengthened the faith of the disciples and became a harbinger of the future Resurrection of the Savior himself. Lazarus' resurrection is also perceived as a symbol of the triumph of life over death, inspires hope for eternal life and reminds of God's mercy, occupying an important place in the Christian tradition.
Prayers on April 4th
Believers turn to the Holy Martyr Basil of Ancyra with prayers for strengthening faith, giving perseverance in persecution and difficult circumstances. They pray to Him for help in raising children in piety, for protection from heresies and false teachings. The righteous Lazarus is asked for deliverance from severe and fatal ailments, liberation from mental suffering and giving hope to the terminally ill.
Prayer to Basil of Ancyra
"O holy servant of God, Holy Martyr Basil! Having labored with a good deed on earth, you have perceived in heaven the crown of righteousness, which the Lord has prepared 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 our present age 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 the Righteous Lazarus
"Oh, great and worthy friend of Christ, Holy righteous Lazarus, praise to Bethany and great wonder to the whole universe! Blessed is your house, which our Lord Jesus Christ lovingly visited in His flesh today, seeing the faith and goodness of your soul and your God-loving sisters Martha and Mary, whom you loved with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with that you were loved to the end. Wonderful are thy mysteries revealed to thee by thy Divine Friend and our Lord, for it pleased Him, before His Cross and Resurrection, to show His glory to the whole world in thee, and to create thee the forerunner of His most holy Resurrection from the dead on the third day. For this reason, O Lord of life and death, let you sleep in death, and be buried, and even sleep to the depths of hell, because you have seen those who have died from time immemorial in innumerable hellish bonds, and you have seen terrible fears. And there, when your body had already given itself over to mortal death, on four days you heard the Divine voice of your Friend, who came to your tomb.: "Lazare, come out!" And by this voice thou didst rise up from the grave, and thus didst make Bethany glad, and didst quench the tears of Martha and Marina, and didst frighten the Pharisees and scribes in the hardness of their hearts. Quench, O holy friend of Christ, our tears, which we shed for our sins, quicken our souls and bodies, in the throes of sinful passions and impurities, raise us from the grave of despair and fierce despondency, and deliver us all from eternal death, just as our Lord raised you from the dormition of death. And beseech the merciful God, that He may vouchsafe us to be partakers of eternal life, which, through the labors of your holiness on the island of Crete, you yourself now enjoy in the heavenly abodes, glorifying the All-holy name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to St. Cyril of Katana.
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