On January 23, several important holidays and memorable dates are celebrated in Ukraine and the world. The church calendar commemorates the holy martyr Clement, the martyr Agathangelus, and the saint Paulinus the Merciful, as well as honors the memory of the VI Ecumenical Council, writes IZ. In addition, international holidays dedicated to health, freedom, and development are celebrated.
What church day is January 23?
The holy martyr Clement and his disciple Agathangelus left a deep mark in Christian history. They survived numerous tortures for their faith, but always remained faithful to Christ. According to legend, Agathangelus died by the sword, and Clement was killed in his old age during a raid by soldiers.
Paulinus the Merciful, a Roman senator, and his wife dedicated their lives to serving the poor. His story is full of mercy: he not only helped the needy, but also sacrificed his own freedom to free prisoners.
The 6th Ecumenical Council, held in Constantinople in 680–681, affirmed the equality between the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Pope of Rome, and also adopted important liturgical norms.
The namesakes of this day celebrate the names Paulinus and Clement.
International Holidays on January 23
• Maternal Health Awareness Day. Established in 2018, this day aims to reduce maternal mortality by improving access to healthcare.
• World Taiwan Liberation Day. Celebrated to commemorate the return of 14,000 Chinese prisoners of war to Taiwan in 1954, who chose democratic values.
• Handwriting Day. The holiday was established in 1977 to popularize the importance of handwriting, which promotes brain development and harmonization of thoughts.
What should you not do on January 23?
In folk beliefs, this day is associated with family well-being, so you should not:
• quarrel with relatives;
• spend the day in isolation;
• remember your mistakes or bad deeds.
Instead, it is recommended to put your home in order and spend time with loved ones.
Folk signs for January 23
• Fluffy snow promises a dry summer, wet snow – a rainy one.
• Frost and ice mean late harvest.
• The south wind portends a stormy summer, and a cloudless sky – the imminent arrival of spring.
It is also customary to prepare meat dishes on this day, which, according to legend, bring good luck.
Recall that we previously wrote about what is celebrated on January 22 and what important events and traditions are honored on this day.
