Folk signs for May 5th: 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 May 5 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for May 5th

In the national calendar, on May 5, Bows Day is celebrated. The holiday got its name due to the tradition of planting onions, which was considered not only an important garden crop, but also a natural protector against diseases. In the old days, it was believed that onions planted correctly on this day would be strong, juicy and stored for a long time. Protective properties were also attributed to him: "Onions from seven ailments", "Onions and baths rule everything," people said.

At the beginning of May, the peasants, according to custom, went out into the vegetable gardens and began mass planting of onions. The women were preparing the beds and sorting out the planting material, while the men were loosening the soil and making furrows. In addition, the housewives tried to include onions in the dishes to strengthen the health of the family. They used it to bake pies and make fritters with fried onions.

It was believed that you need to work on a good day in a good mood — then the earth will respond with generous fruit, and there will always be prosperity in the family. Prayers were often read before work, asking for a rich harvest and well-being in the house.

A lot of weather observations are connected with this day. So, the clear and warm weather on May 5 promises a good harvest of vegetables, especially cucumbers and greens. The abundant morning dew on the grass also indicates a favorable season. And prolonged rains portend dampness and plant diseases.

Other signs of the day:

• strong wind leads to changeable weather in the coming days;
• Clouds are moving fast across the sky, leading to a cold snap.;
• Birds fly low to the rain;
• a clear sunset leads to stable good weather;
• The thunder is thundering — towards a fertile summer.

What not to do on May 5th

There were also special prohibitions on Onion Day. For example, our ancestors tried to avoid quarrels and conflicts, believing that negative emotions could "spread" to the harvest. It was also not recommended to be lazy and postpone work in the garden — this was considered a bad sign that promised poverty and poverty.

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What else can not be done on May 5th:

• Starting important things without preparation is a recipe for failure.;
• throwing away leftovers leads to financial losses;
• borrow bread and salt — according to legend, you can give your health along with them.;
• to sweep the litter out of the hut after sunset — this is how you can "sweep" luck out of the house.

What is the church holiday on May 5th?

On May 5 (April 22, Old Style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Apostle and Evangelist Luke— one of the closest companions of the Apostle Paul. According to legend, Luke accompanied the apostle on his missionary journeys and shared all the hardships with him. He preached in various countries, and after Paul's martyrdom continued his ministry, strengthening Christian communities.

In addition, Luke is considered the author of one of the four canonical Gospels and the book of Acts of the Apostles. His writings played a huge role in spreading Christian teaching. In the church tradition, he is also revered as the first icon painter. It was he who created the first lifetime images of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On the same day, St. Theodore Sikeote, Bishop of Anastasioupol, is remembered. He was born in the sixth century in Asia Minor and from an early age chose the path of asceticism, devoting himself to prayer and asceticism. He later became a bishop, but continued to lead a strict life, helping those in need.

During his holy life, St. Theodore received from God power over wild animals and the gift of foresight. In particular, he predicted a terrible period of iconoclasm that would befall the Church centuries later.

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Prayers on May 5th

The Apostle Luke, who was a doctor during his lifetime, prays for healing from physical and mental illnesses, as well as for help in medical work. Reverend Theodore Sikeote is approached in difficult life situations, asking for peace of mind and strengthening of faith. They also pray to the saint, who has become an example of the struggle with passions, for deliverance from demonic possession and protection from unclean spirits.

Prayer to the Apostle Luke

"O Holy Luke, <...> preacher of the gospel of Christ throughout the universe, martyr and Apostle, helper to all who prayerfully invoke you. <...> Help us, Holy Luke, so that we may understand, be cleansed from sin and pass from death into life. May God be all to us in everything. <...> Moreover, may the heavenly peace descend upon us, guiding us to the kingdom of heaven and creating us joyfully, so that the arrows of the evil one may be shot at us at every hour, to ward us off. With the same we receive the love of God, may he guide us to the eternal Fatherland, where all the powers of heaven, all the saints, the Mother of God are before them, Whose good face is immortalized in the icon you painted. May the eyes of our hearts unceasingly look at that babble and enjoy it, may the Kingdom of Heaven reign in us, in which, through your prayers, Holy Luke, we are blessed when the Lord calls us, so that we may eternally glorify God in the Most Holy Trinity: the Beginningless Father, the Only Begotten Son and the Most Holy Spirit, for all endless ages. Amen to that."

Prayer to Theodore Sikeote

"O holy Father Theodore, ascetic of Christ, enlightened by many virtues! You loved Christ from your youth, left the world and everything that was in it, and settled in the desert, where you sanctified that land through your labors and prayers. Moreover, Christ has given you the grace of miracles, heal the sick, comfort the sorrowful, and guide the erring. We beseech you, O holy One, to pray to the Lord for us, that He may grant us forgiveness of sins, mental and physical health, help in temptations, and salvation. May we be strengthened by your prayers, and may we live piously and be worthy to glorify the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told which saints are remembered on Proclus Day.