Folk signs for March 31: 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 31 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.
Folk signs for March 31
According to the national calendar, Cyril's Day, also known as Cyril — Deri Poloz, is celebrated on March 31. The name of the holiday is associated with the condition of the roads at the end of March, when the snow was already noticeably melting during the day, and at night it was seized by frost again and turned into a hard crust. On such a road, the sledge went hard, and the runners scratched the ice and quickly deteriorated. Hence the apt nickname of the day, reminding that spring has not yet fully come into its own.
In the old days, they tried to spend Cyril's Day without long trips and without unnecessary risk. Peasants often stayed at home, doing household chores. In the villages, yards and huts were put in order, plows and harrows were sharpened, harnesses were checked, carts were patched and equipment was being prepared for upcoming field work.
Special attention was paid to the land — they examined the plots, assessed how the snow was falling and where it would be possible to start plowing first. They also prepared the garden and vegetable garden for the season: they cleaned them of debris, whitewashed trees, sorted seeds, and prepared fertilizers. It was believed that right now it was necessary to take care of the future harvest so that the year would turn out well.
Great importance was attached to weather signs on the holiday, which predicted the imminent arrival of heat. If the mother-and-stepmother bloomed on March 31, it promised a warm and early April. Another harbinger of sustained warming was the return of swans. It was believed that these migratory birds carried real spring warmth on their wings.
Other signs of the day:
- catkins appeared on the hazel — there will be no more severe frosts.;
- The rooks have arrived — spring is finally taking effect;
- The mosquitoes have woken up — to clear, fine days,
- There are a lot of midges — there will be a lot of mushrooms this year;
- It's a sunny day, and the summer will be warm.
- It's drizzling in the morning — for the rainy summer season.
What not to do on March 31
Cyril's Day was also associated with a number of prohibitions that were supposed to protect the family and the house from failures. The ancestors feared that in times of transition, when nature is still unstable, people are especially vulnerable to quarrels, losses and other people's bad influence. Therefore, it was not recommended to visit on this day, so as not to leave good luck in someone else's house. They also treated other people's belongings with caution. According to beliefs, it was possible to take on other people's worries and illnesses with them.
What else can not be done on March 31:
- borrowing or borrowing money leads to financial losses;
- make impulsive purchases — they will not bring joy;
- eating from other people's dishes and drinking from other people's cups leads to diseases;
- discussing other people's flaws at the table leads to quarrels and troubles.;
- cutting your nails was considered a way to shorten your life.
What is the church holiday on March 31
On March 31 (March 18, Old Style), the Orthodox Church commemorates St. Cyril, Archbishop of Jerusalem, one of the outstanding fathers of the Church of the fourth century. The saint is known as a theologian, pastor and defender of Orthodox teaching. His ministry came at a difficult time, when the church was torn apart by the heresies of Arians and Macedonians.
For his zealous defense of Orthodoxy, the saint was expelled from his pulpit three times. Under Emperor Julian the Apostate, he returned to Jerusalem, and in 381 participated in the Second Ecumenical Council, which approved the Orthodox Creed. This council became the most important event that finally consolidated the dogmatic teaching.
His spiritual works have survived to this day, among which a special place is occupied by the "Catechetical and Occult Teachings" addressed to the newly baptized and those who are just preparing for baptism. In them, the saint explains in detail the basics of the Christian faith and the sacraments, helping believers to better understand the spiritual life of a Christian.
On the same date, St. Anin of Chalcedon, who lived at the turn of the fifth and sixth centuries, is remembered. He was born in Chalcedon into a Christian family. In his youth, Anin retired to a monastery, and then, striving for complete silence, he went into the desert. For his humility, the monk was awarded the gift of miracle-working and clairvoyance. Even wild animals were obedient to Him. The rumor about the ascetic attracted many sick and suffering people to him, who received healing through his prayers.
Prayers on March 31
St. Cyril of Jerusalem is approached with requests for strengthening in faith, help in spiritual doubts, wisdom and protection from delusions. St. Aninus of Chalcedon is asked for inner peace, patience, healing in illnesses, and strength to overcome life's challenges.
Prayer to Cyril of Jerusalem
"O most honorable and holy head and full of the grace of the Holy Spirit, dwelling of the Savior with the Father, great bishop, our warm intercessor, to the Holy Father Cyril, standing at the Throne of all Kings and enjoying the light of the consubstantial Trinity and cherubic angels, proclaiming the trisagion song, and having great and unexplored boldness towards the all-merciful Master, pray for the salvation of the flock of Christ. O people, confirm the well-being of the holy churches: bishops, adorn the monks with the splendor of holiness, strengthen the monks for the feat of the good current, preserve the reigning city and all cities and countries with goodness, and keep the holy immaculate faith, pacify the whole world through your intercession, deliver us from gladness and destruction, and preserve us from the attacks of foreigners, comfort the old, guide the young O wise madmen, have mercy on widows, intercede for orphans, raise up infants, return captives, free those who are weak and pray to you from all misfortunes and troubles through your intercession: pray for us to the All-merciful and Loving Christ our God, that on the day of His Terrible Coming He may deliver us from our suffering, and grant us communion with all the saints. forever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer to Anin of Chalcedon
"O holy head, Venerable father, most blessed Anne, do not forget your poor ones to the end, but always remember us in holy and auspicious prayers to God: <...> remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God, for you have been given the grace to pray for us. We don't think you're dead.: For though you have passed away from us in body, but you remain alive after death, do not depart from us in spirit, preserving us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of demons and the machinations of the devil, our good shepherd. <...> We bow down to you and pray to you: pray for us to Almighty God, for the benefit of our souls, And grant us time for repentance, so that we may safely pass from earth to heaven, and may we be delivered from bitter ordeals, demons of the air, and eternal torment, and may we inherit the heavenly kingdom with all the righteous who have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ from the beginning.: To Him belongs all glory, honor, and worship, together with His Beginningless Father, and with His All-holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told us what they pray to St. Alexy, the man of God.
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