Folk signs for March 16: 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 16: which church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for March 16

On this day, Orthodox Christians honor the memory of the Martyr Eutropius of Amasia. This holiday was popularly known as Eutropius Day. The celebration had another name, Bearish Awakening. People believed that it was at this time that the bears came out of the den, so they tried not to go into the forest alone.

On this day, special attention was paid to attracting the sun to accelerate the arrival of spring. According to one of the traditions on the holiday, it was customary to walk around the fields criss-cross, while saying: "The Eutropian way hurries but the snow drowns."

In addition, on the eve of Eutropius Day, women dipped a silver object into clean water, and later, at sunrise, they cleaned it and washed with healing water. It was believed that this procedure allowed to preserve beauty and youth.

There were other signs related to the weather. For example, if the sun sets in a cloud on a holiday, then inclement weather can be expected, and if the rooster does not crow early in the morning, then the weather will worsen.

Other signs of the day:

• Sparrows sit under the roof and clean their feathers — for clear days;
• Crows swimming in thawed ground — warming coming soon;
• If starlings arrived in the middle of March, there will be a lot of bread in the summer.;
• the starlings have arrived — to a rich harvest of grain;
• Chickadees or bullfinches chirp — to the warming.

What not to do on March 16

A number of superstitions are also associated with the holiday. In order not to attract evil spirits, one should leave the house backwards and return in the same way. In addition, it was not recommended to look in the mirror for a long time on this day, since otherworldly forces could enter the dwelling through the reflection.

Also, on Eutropius Day, one should not take out the trash in the afternoon, otherwise there might be a risk of losing well-being and prosperity. For the same reason, they did not lend or borrow money on the holiday. It was believed that the debts would last for the whole year.

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What else can not be done:

Swearing gets you into trouble;

Being greedy can put you in the shoes of those in need.;

take sharp objects and perform operations — evil spirits can enter through the wound.;

Walking in the woods — bears waking up after hibernation can be dangerous.

What is the church holiday on March 16?

On this day, Orthodox Christians remember the martyrs Eutropius of Amasia, Cleonicus and Basilisk. They lived at the turn of the III–IV centuries in the Asia Minor city of Amasia (the territory of modern Turkey). According to the life of the saint, Eutropius preached Christianity together with his brother Cleonikos and a young man named Basilisk, who was the nephew of the holy Great Martyr Theodore Tyron.

After the martyrdom of Tyron, the saints were persecuted, and then, by decree of the governor of the city, Publius, they were imprisoned. However, even while in prison, they did not renounce their faith in Jesus and were able to convert many pagans who were in prison with them to Christianity.

With the arrival of the new ruler of Amazia, Asclepiodotus, the sufferings of Eutropius, Cleonicus and Basilisk did not stop. The tsar began to persuade the captives to the pagan faith, but after another refusal, he ordered the martyrs to be tortured.

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Then Eutropius turned to God for help, exclaiming: "Lord, be with us, and destroy all pagan demons." After that, a terrible earthquake occurred in the city, which destroyed pagan temples and all the statues of idols. Enraged, Asclepiodotus ordered the execution of Eutropius, Cleonice, and Basiliscus. The last night before they died, they read a prayer to Christ. Eutropius and Cleonicus were crucified, and Basiliscus was later executed in the city of Comanach.

Prayers on March 16

On this day, Orthodox Christians ask the martyrs Eutropius of Amasia, Cleonicus and Basilisk to strengthen faith in God, strength for life's trials and protection from enemies and cruel people.

Prayer to the Martyrs Eutropius of Amasia, Cleonicus and Basiliscus

"O One who knows the weakness of the human being and mercifully does not imagine, gird me with strength from on high, that I may cry out to You, Holy, animated temple of Your ineffable glory, O Lover of mankind. Holy martyrs, pray to God for us. The Divine prays with a pure mind, with a manly disposition, with bliss, striving to torment, conquering the hostile bodiless sufferer with the body; thereby glorifying. Holy martyrs, pray to God for us. Having been circumcised for Christ, having endured wisdom, having shed divine blood on the earth, venerably sanctified and sacrificed by the demon to the monstrous rites, martyrs, and blood. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Position yourself quickly, like the dawning of light, at the height of suffering, like the stars that truly illuminate the universe with unfathomable radiance and darkness more resolutely than flattery, sanctity; for this he faithfully pleases. And now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to St. Porphyry of Gaza.

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