Folk signs for April 9: what can and cannot be done
In Russia, signs and beliefs have always been given special importance. They were used to determine when to start field work, what the weather would be like, and what to expect in the coming months. Therefore, every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the signs for April 9, 2026, as well as about the church holidays that fall on this date.
Folk signs for April 9th
In the national calendar, April 9 is Matryona Nastovitsa Day, also known as Polurepitsa. The name is associated with the natural phenomena of this period: after the first spring thaws, by nightfall, the earth is often gripped by a hard ice crust, an infusion on which you can still walk.
The second nickname, Polurepitsa, appeared because by this time the peasants were sorting through the stocks of turnips, one of the main products on the table before the appearance of potatoes, selecting the best root crops for seeds. Matryona (Matrona) herself is a Christian saint, whom our ancestors considered the patroness of housewives, weavers and the hearth.
In the old days, on April 9th, women woke up early. The last time they went out to the river or to a forest clearing to spread the canvases they had woven over the winter on the white snow that had not yet melted. It was believed that the frosty air and moisture from the melting crust whiten the fabric best.
The housewives put things in order at home: they cleaned copper dishes, sorted out clothes and got rid of junk. Old, torn things were taken outside the village and burned, believing that troubles and misfortunes go away with the smoke. The men were fishing at that time: there was a sign that it was on April 9 that the pike began to actively beat the ice with its tail, waking up after winter.
Special attention was paid to signs related to the weather. If a warm wind blew on Matryona's day, it promised a rainy but warm summer. But if the ground was covered with thick fog or frost in the morning, the peasants rejoiced — the omen foreshadowed a rich harvest of bread this year. The behavior of birds and animals on this day was also considered an important weather predictor. In Russia, they used to say: "The lapwing flew in, brought water on its tail."
Other signs of the day:
- the lapwing screams in the evening — for clear weather;
- birds fly low, leading to prolonged drought;
- seagulls are circling over the houses — soon the ice on the rivers will break;
- a cock crowed in the middle of the day — for a change in the weather, rain or snow;
- If the cat sneezes, wait for the rain.
What not to do on April 9th
On Matryona Nastovitsa's holiday, there were certain prohibitions that our ancestors were afraid to violate, so as not to cause trouble for the whole year. It was believed that the patron saint of the day severely punished sloppiness and laziness. For example, women were strictly forbidden to cook food in a hurry — a negligent housewife could suffer poverty. Also, on April 9, it was not recommended to stay in bed for a long time, because a hardworking Matryona could deprive a good-for-nothing of luck.
What else can not be done on this day:
- to quarrel and be jealous — it will be almost impossible to reconcile, and jealousy will destroy the marriage.;
- to lend bread and salt — with them you can give happiness and prosperity from home;
- changing the bed linen and shaking out the feather beds — so as not to "turn" your fate for the worse;
- Offending migratory birds (especially lapwings) can bring warmth and good luck with them.;
- picking up other people's things on the road leads to poverty.
What is the church holiday on April 9th?
Memory of the Martyr Matrona of Thessalonica
On April 9 (March 27, Old Style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Matrona of Thessalonica. The saint lived in the 3rd–4th centuries in Greek Thessaloniki (Thessalonica) and was a slave in the house of a wealthy Jewish woman, Pavtila, the wife of a local military commander. At that time, Christians were severely persecuted, but Matrona secretly professed faith in Christ. Every day, she accompanied the lady to the door of the synagogue, and she secretly went to a Christian church to pray.
One day on the Jewish Passover, Matrona stayed in the church, and the servants reported this to Paul. The angry mistress demanded that the slave renounce Christ. After receiving a firm refusal, she ordered Matrona to be severely beaten, and then locked in a dark room without food or water. However, according to church tradition, after a few days, Pavtila was amazed to find that the prisoner was standing free from shackles, without wounds on her body and with a radiant face singing praises to God. The miraculous healing was repeated three times, but the tortures eventually deprived the martyr of her strength.
Before her death, Matrona gave her soul to the Lord with words of prayer on her lips. Pavtila, wanting to avoid being charged with murder, ordered the saint's body to be thrown from a high city wall in order to stage an accident. However, soon the tormentor herself was punished.: she stumbled in the same spot and fell to her death. Christians honorably buried the body of the martyr, and later Bishop Alexander of Thessalonica built a church in her honor, where the holy relics were transferred.
Holy Thursday
In 2026, one of the most important days in the Orthodox calendar, Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), also falls on April 9. This is the day of remembrance of the Last Supper, to which Jesus Christ gathered his disciples, the apostles. During this meal, the Savior established the main sacrament of the Church — the Eucharist (Communion). He broke bread, blessed it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take, eat.": this is My body," and then, handing over a cup of wine, he said, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is My Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
At the Last Supper, Christ also showed the greatest example of humility and love. He got up from his seat, put a towel around his waist, and began washing his students' feet. By this act, the Savior showed that true greatness lies in serving one's neighbor. That same night, after a farewell conversation in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was betrayed by Judas and taken into custody.
For believers, Holy Thursday is a day of spiritual purification and preparation for Easter. On this day, it is customary to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, remembering that very Last Supper. In the folk tradition, Maundy Thursday is associated with tidying up the house: our ancestors believed that cleaning on this day helps to get rid of filth and dirt, and also began to bake cakes and paint eggs. At the same time, the priests remind that cleanliness in the house should be combined with purity of the soul, so more time should be devoted to prayer and repentance.
Prayers on April 9th
Believers turn to St. Matrona of Thessalonica with prayers for strengthening faith, giving patience and help in everyday difficulties. Since in Russia she was considered the patroness of domestic labor and weaving, women ask her to bless their needlework and keep the peace in the family. They also pray to the martyr for a good harvest and prosperity in the house. On Holy Thursday, prayers are read for repentance, family and home, for the health of loved ones, and relief from anxiety and fear.
Prayer to Matrona of Thessalonica
Troparion, glas 4
Thy lamb, Jesus, Matrona, calls with a great voice: To thee, my bridegroom, I love, and to Thee I seek, I suffer, and am crucified, and am buried by Thy baptism, and I suffer for Thee, that I may reign in thee, and die for Thee, and live with thee; but as an immaculate sacrifice accept me, devoured with love For you. Through your prayers, O Merciful One, save our souls.
Kontakion, glas 2
O all-honorable Temple of thine, for we have found the goal of our soul, and we cry aloud to thee: O great-named virgin Martyr, pray unceasingly to Christ God for us all.
Prayer on Holy Thursday
"Lord our God, forgive me all that I have sinned in word, deed and thought today, as a good and loving man. Grant me a peaceful and serene sleep. Send Your guardian angel, who protects and preserves me from all evil. For You are the guardian of our souls and bodies, and to You we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told us what they pray for on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
