Folk signs for April 26: 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 26 and the church holidays that fall on this date.
Folk signs for April 26
In Russia, on April 26, the feast of Fomaida Medunitsa was celebrated. On the holiday, villagers went to the forest to collect honeydew, which in folk medicine was considered one of the most useful medicinal plants. According to legend, this should have been done by the most experienced hostess in the house. Broths were made from honeydew, which were used to treat colds and coughs, as well as added to food, and tea was brewed.
It was believed that bees avoided this plant. According to legend, God instructed the bee to find out which flowers produce the most honey. She flew all over the earth and considered honeydew, bird cherry and woodpecker the most suitable for this description. However, she was afraid that the plants would be taken away from her, so she hid the truth about them. God, having learned about this, forbade bees to take nectar from these flowers on pain of immediate death. That is why insects have been ignoring honeydew ever since.
Other traditions were associated with Fomaida Medunitsa. For example, in Russia, people collected young sorrel, from which they cooked the first spring cabbage soup. Weather conditions were also given special importance on the holiday. There was an opinion that if an oak tree bloomed by April 26, it foreshadowed a warm and good summer. The abundance of acorns on the branches of this tree not only promised a rich harvest, but also a harsh winter in the future. The clear starry sky that night was a harbinger of a bountiful harvest.
Other signs of the day:
— the cuckoo is crowing loudly and long — for the imminent heat;
— golden primroses bloomed in meadows and clearings — for the first really warm days;
— thunder is heard on the holiday — to the abundance of thunderstorms and possible hail;
— fog in the morning leads to an abundance of dew in summer;
— the rain on this day is for a rainy but fruitful summer.
What not to do on April 26th
There were certain restrictions and superstitions about Thomas the Honeyeater. The ancestors believed that on this day one should not quarrel with loved ones, otherwise discord can drag on for a long time. Rude and disrespectful treatment of women was especially frowned upon. According to legend, such behavior could lead to failures in love and loneliness. In addition, it was not recommended to go on long trips. They believed that the road could bring unforeseen problems. They also tried to postpone large purchases, fearing that the item would quickly break down or would not be useful. You should also not cut the first flowers and offend animals on Fomaid Honeydew — this can lead to crop failures and additional problems.
What else can not be done on this day:
— taking something out of the house, especially garbage and ashes, leads to a deterioration in the financial situation;
— borrowing money and things is a hassle;
— counting the savings on the table is a failure;
— wearing dark clothes leads to health problems;
— washing and rinsing clothes in a river or lake leads to floods or other water—related troubles.
What is the church holiday on April 26th?
On April 26, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyr Thomas of Alexandria (Egypt). She was born in the 5th century in Alexandria into a Christian family. At the age of 15, the saint was married to a fisherman. The girl lived in the house of her husband's parents, showing chastity and gentleness. But with her beauty, Fomaida attracted the attention of her father-in-law.
According to the hagiography, when the husband went fishing at night, the man began to persuade his daughter-in-law to sin. The martyr refused, reminding her father-in-law of God's judgment, but in response he threatened her with death by the sword. Then Fomaida answered firmly: "Even if you cut me in two, I will not depart from the Lord's commandment." After that, the man inflicted fatal wounds on the girl. Just a few minutes later, punishment befell him — he went blind. In the morning, when her husband's friends came, they found the body of the saint and the distraught criminal. He confessed to what he had done and demanded the death sentence for himself.
The Christian ascetic, St. Daniel, who arrived in Alexandria at that time, ordered the monks of the nearby Octodecad monastery to bury the girl in the monastery tomb. Despite the objections of the brethren, the saint insisted that the body of the martyr be interred there, emphasizing that she "died for purity." After the burial, one of the monks, who suffered from carnal temptations, on the advice of St. Daniel came to pray at the tomb of the saint, where he fell asleep and saw Thomas. She blessed him. Upon waking up, the man got rid of his passions and found peace of mind. Saint Thomas became the patroness of those who seek to attain spiritual purity and chastity. Her relics were later transferred to Constantinople.
On the same day, the faithful remember the Holy Martyr Artemon of Laodicea, a presbyter. He was born in the first half of the third century in Laodicea of Syria in a Christian family. Since his youth, the young man devoted himself to the service of the church: at the age of 16 he was appointed a reader, then elevated to deacon, and after that ordained a presbyter. In this position, Artemon preached the Christian faith among pagans for many years. During the persecution of Emperor Diocletian, the saint was already an elder, but continued to urge Christians to keep the faith.
According to the hagiography, at this time the martyr, together with St. Sisinius, entered the temple of the goddess Artemis, where they smashed and burned the idols. This act provoked the anger of the military commander Patrikios, who tried to force Artemon to sacrifice to the pagan gods, but the saint refused. Later, the young man continued his preaching activities in Asia (now the western part of Malaysia), where he converted many to Christianity. In 303, he suffered a martyr's death — the pagans seized the saint and cut off his head.
Prayers on April 26
Believers ask Saint Thomas to preserve chastity, strengthen the family, and get rid of sinful passions and evil thoughts. Prayers are read to the Holy Martyr Artemon for strengthening faith, perseverance in trials and help in the fight against fear. In addition, he is asked to help him gain spiritual firmness and protect him from temptations.
Prayer to the Martyr Thomas of Alexandria
"Oh, all-laudable martyr Fomaido! For the purity of matrimony, even having struggled to the point of shelter and having laid down your soul for chastity, you have found yourself worthy before the Lord, so that you may be more venerable in the person of the venerable virgins. Hear us as we pray to you, and as we have a healer from the flesh of old, according to the grace bestowed upon you by God, grant even now to those who resort to your intercession joy and deliverance from carnal warfare, and a chaste life, and a stay that is not polluted in marriage and virginity, through your God-pleasing prayers, to all who seek help, for our bodies There will be a temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. O chosen wife and faithful servant of Christ! Help us that we may not perish with our passions and lusts, but that our minds may be guided and our hearts strengthened in all piety and purity, praising your help and intercession, and the grace and mercy of the Triune God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen to that."
Prayer to the Holy Martyr Artemon of Laodicea
"Oh, great servant of Christ, long-suffering Presbyter Artemon! Have mercy on me, a sinner, and hear my tearful supplication. Do not abhor my filthy, sinful plagues. Accept my unworthy praises from the bottom of your heart. And be merciful to my petitions to you, my mighty intercessor before the Lord. Beseech my All-good God to grant me a spirit of contrition for my sins, a spirit of humility, meekness and gentleness, and also to fulfill all His commandments without mercy, and to show love and mercy to my neighbor. Above all, His name is the Sweetest to contain in the heart and mind and to fearlessly confess with His mouth. Through your prayers, may Christ our God grant to all who invoke His holy name all that is necessary for salvation, so that at all times and in every place the name of the All-Holy Trinity, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, may be lovingly glorified, forever and ever. Amen to that."
Earlier, Izvestia told what they pray to the Holy Martyr Antipas of Pergamon.
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