Folk signs for April 8: 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 8 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for April 8th
In Russia, on April 8, the feast of Gabriel the Evangelist was celebrated. The name is directly related to the church's veneration of the archangel Gabriel, who was believed to patronize farmers and help seedlings gain strength. The peasants said: "Gabriel the Evangelist woke up the spring," because it was from this day, according to popular observations, that the full awakening of nature from winter sleep began.
At that time, the final preparations for field work were being completed. The men checked harrows and ploughs, and also went out into the field to determine how much the ground had thawed. In the morning, it was customary to put oat, wheat, and barley seeds in the sun to "gain strength." In the old days, it was believed that seeds "illuminated" on a holiday would give friendly shoots and be protected from pests.
The housewives baked special "evangelistic rolls" — bread made from last year's flour, which was divided among all family members, and the crumbs were given to the birds. There was a belief that the more generously the birds were treated to Gabriel, the more they would destroy the caterpillars and beetles in the garden. Special attention was paid to water, which, according to beliefs, acquired cleansing properties on this day. The peasants washed their faces with meltwater to wash away winter ailments and attract health.
Gabriel Blagovest was associated with many weather observations. According to one of the most famous beliefs, if the bird cherry has turned green by this day, then it's time to plant early potatoes. Another sign said that the weather on April 8 is often repeated in autumn, on Sergei Kapustnik (celebrated on October 8). And if it was raining that day, they were waiting for a mushroom summer.
Other signs of the day:
- snow remains on the roofs — the cold weather will linger until the end of April;
- morning frosts — spring will be cold for a long time;
- The clouds float high and fast, changing shape to meet the strong wind.;
- A clear and calm morning leads to a steady warming;
- green grass appeared on the thawed areas — for an early and rich harvest.
What not to do on April 8th
There were also certain prohibitions on the holiday, which were associated with preparations for the new agricultural season. For example, it was strictly forbidden to quarrel and swear, especially in the presence of pets. It was believed that swearing on this day could "infect" cattle, and she would stop giving offspring. It was a bad omen to throw crumbs off the table, they tried to give them to poultry or cattle, so as not to alienate prosperity.
What else can not be done on April 8:
- wearing old and dirty clothes leads to poverty and disease for the whole year.;
- Spinning and doing winter needlework is not a good job.;
- starting new businesses may turn out to be unsuccessful.;
- spending a day in quarrels and irritation leads to a prolonged rift;
- going fishing leads to danger and trouble.
What is the church holiday on April 8th?
On April 8, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Cathedral of Archangel Gabriel, a day of special veneration for one of the highest angels and heavenly messengers, through whom the will of God was revealed to people. The date follows immediately after the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was celebrated the day before. This connection is not accidental, since it was the archangel Gabriel who brought the good news of the incarnation of the Son of God to the Virgin Mary.
Gabriel also announced to the prophet Daniel the future destinies of the people, appeared to the righteous Anna with the news of the birth of the Virgin, to the priest Zachariah with the news of the birth of John the Baptist, instructed Joseph the Betrothed, preached to the shepherds about Christmas and announced to the myrrh-bearing women about the Resurrection of Christ.
In the church calendar, this date falls on Great Wednesday of Holy Week, so the memory of the archangel is associated with a particularly important period before Easter, when believers keep a particularly strict fast. According to the monastery's rules, dry eating is allowed on this day. It is allowed to eat bread, dried fruits, nuts, honey, raw vegetables and fruits.
On the same day, they remember the martyr Paraskeva Kochneva, who suffered for her faith during the years of persecution at the beginning of the 20th century. She was born in 1890 into a peasant family in the village of Kochnevo, Orenburg province, where she graduated from a rural school and served at the temple from a young age. In 1932, the authorities demanded that she leave the village for protecting the temple from closure.
Paraskeva moved to the city of Miass in the Chelyabinsk region and helped at the Alexander Nevsky Church. Later, she was elected a member of the church Twenty, and she continued to strive to preserve church life. After the arrest of the priest, she went to Moscow with a request to send a new clergyman, but was arrested and sentenced to ten years in camps. The saint died in the camp infirmary on April 8, 1939.
Prayers on April 8th
It is customary to pray to Archangel Gabriel for the bestowal of good news, reconciliation of warring parties and protection from enemies visible and invisible. They also ask him for help in good endeavors, enlightenment of the mind and strengthening of faith. They pray to the Martyr Paraskeva Kochneva for strengthening her spirit during the years of persecution and trials, for perseverance in faith in the face of injustice.
Prayer to Archangel Gabriel
"O holy Archangel of God Gabriel, ever stand before the Throne of the Most High, most joyful evangelist and zealous helper of our salvation! With your characteristic mercy, accept this song of praise, which is offered to you by us who are unworthy. Correct our prayers, and bring me, like incense, to the Heavenly Altar of Incense; enlighten our minds with the light of the knowledge of the mysteries of our saving faith; kindle our hearts with love for Christ our Saviour, turn and strengthen our desires to the saving path of His gospel commandments; may we live in this place quietly and piously for the glory of God, in In the future, let us not lose the eternal Kingdom of God, which we may receive through the grace of Christ our God, through the intercession of His Most Pure Mother, the Immaculate Virgin Mary, and through your prayers to the Lord God for us, and may we glorify with you and the other bodiless heavenly powers and all the saints the One God in the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Forever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer to Paraskeva Kochneva
"Oh, the long-suffering and wise martyr of Christ Paraskevo! Now, honoring your holy memory, we, sinners and unworthy, fervently seek refuge in you and pray in the tenderness of our hearts.: You loved the sweetest Lord Jesus Christ more than all earthly blessings, and through your whole life you zealously followed Him, nourishing your soul with divine grace. Ask for grace from the Merciful God, which enlightens and strengthens us, so that we may be overshadowed by it, that we may prosper in faith and piety, in the struggles of chastity and love, and that we may strive unflinchingly to serve Christ through our neighbors. Pray to our Saviour that He may vouchsafe us to complete our earthly pilgrimage uncomplicated, to end our life in peace and repentance, so that we may live on earth, eternal and blessed lives in heaven, and there, together with all the saints, let us praise the Consubstantial and Indivisible Trinity, and sing of the One Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told what prayers are read on the day of the Annunciation.
All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
