Folk signs for April 23rd: 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 23 and what church holidays are celebrated on this day.

Folk signs for April 23rd

In the folk calendar of the Eastern Slavs, the date of April 23 was called "Terenty Marevny", or "Terentyev Day". This nickname is connected with a unique natural phenomenon — a haze. That was the name of the misty haze in Russia, which often crept over the ground in the morning.

It was believed that on April 23rd, the sun almost always rises in this haze, which was perceived not just as a weather phenomenon, but as an important sign defining the life of farmers for the entire coming season.

On Terentyev day, it was still dark when people went out onto the hills, peered at the horizon, waiting for the sun to appear, and guessed from the haze: the longer the sun remained in the fog, the more fertile, according to the ancestors, the year was expected.

The roads and the condition of the land were also closely monitored during the holiday. By this time, the soil was already very wet, muddy roads were beginning, and they tried to correlate any long-distance business with the weather and the passability of roads. "The road to Terenty is collapsing," "There is mud all around — neither pass nor pass," they used to say in the old days.

Special attention was paid to weather signs. If the sun was clearly visible at sunrise on April 23 through a hazy haze, it promised a rich harvest of bread. If the sky was clear and clear, it was considered a bad sign, foreshadowing that the fields would have to be plowed and sown again.

Other signs of the day:

• morning fog — for the coming rains;
• A cloudless day leads to a warm summer;
• lots of birds in the trees — for a hot and sunny summer;
• The spiders climb high by nightfall — frosts are possible;
• a warm evening and a quiet night lead to a dry and hot summer.

What not to do on April 23rd

On the Terenty Marevny holiday, there were strict prohibitions, the violation of which, according to the ancestors, could cause trouble for the whole year. For example, it was strictly forbidden to give away any things, money or groceries from home - you could "give away" your well—being with them. They were also afraid of quarrels on this day: it was believed that if you quarrel on April 23, you will not be able to reconcile until Trinity.

The priest spoke about the possibility of seeking help and support from deceased relatives.

What else can not be done on April 23:

• to use scissors, needles and other sharp objects — they were afraid of diseases, injuries and troubles;
• Scolding your loved ones and remembering old grudges can perpetuate a family feud for a long time.;
• going on a long journey — the mud promised a difficult and hectic path;
• offending birds and chopping down trees was considered a bad sign for the home and household.

What is the church holiday on April 23rd?

On April 23 (April 10, Old Style), the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the holy Martyr Terenty, who suffered under Emperor Decius in the middle of the third century. When the decree on sacrifices to idols was issued, Terenty and other Christians openly confessed their faith in Christ and refused to renounce it. For this, they were subjected to severe tortures, and then sentenced to death.

By order of the enraged ruler, the saints were taken to the temple for sacrifice, but at their prayer the idols fell and crumbled to dust, after which the pagan temple itself collapsed. After these miracles, all 33 martyrs were beheaded by the sword. The memory of the saint in the church tradition has become an image of firmness, courage and fidelity to Christ.

On the same day, the church commemorates the Holy Martyr Gregory V, Patriarch of Constantinople. He held the patriarchal chair three times and lived during the years when Greece was under Ottoman rule. Gregory was known as a man of strict faith, ascetic life and church responsibility.

The Patriarch was engaged in streamlining church administration, took care of the moral condition of the clergy, supported Orthodox education and publishing. His name has firmly entered history as a symbol of pastoral ministry in a difficult era.

The religious scholar spoke about the rules of commemoration of the dead on Antipascha

Prayers on April 23rd

They pray to the Martyr Terenty for perseverance in faith, spiritual strengthening and help in trials. St. Gregory is addressed with prayers for intercession before God, for the gift of peace and strength in faith. They pray to Him for deliverance from enemies and persecutors, as well as for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of strength in difficult life circumstances.

Prayer to the Holy Martyr Terenty

"O Holy Martyr Terenty and thy fellow passion-bearers, Pompeius, Africanus, Maximus, Zinone, Alexander, Theodore, and others who have suffered with you! You who have struggled with good deeds and have preserved the faith of Christ to the end, now stand before the Throne of the Lord and pray for the whole world. Ask the Merciful God to grant us forgiveness of sins, strengthening in faith, and patience in tribulation.
Ask for the strength to resist temptation, courage in trials, and firmness in confessing the truth. May we be saved from troubles and misfortunes through your prayers, and may we be worthy to walk the path of this life peacefully, praising the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Prayer to Gregory of Constantinople

"O Holy Martyr of Christ Gregory, good saint of God and good shepherd, who laid down his soul for the flock! You, who have been adorned with the feat of faith and confession and have received the crown of martyrdom, now stand before the Throne of the Lord of Glory and unceasingly pray for the faithful. Beseech the God who loves mankind to grant us firmness in faith, courage in trials, and patience in tribulations. Grant us peace of mind, strengthening in piety, and deliverance from all evil. May we preserve the holy Orthodox faith through your prayers, remain in love and unity of mind, and be worthy to attain the Kingdom of heaven, glorifying the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told which saints Vadim Klyuchnik is remembered on the holiday.