March 15 is an important day in the Orthodox calendar. Believers commemorate the martyr Agapius and the seven martyrs of Caesarea, writes IZ. In addition, this is the parental Saturday of the second week of Great Lent, when it is customary to remember deceased relatives. We learn more about church traditions, signs and restrictions associated with this day.
Content
- What is the church holiday today according to the new style?
- Father's Saturday of the second week of Great Lent
- What church holiday is March 15, old style?
- Folk omens for March 15
- What not to do on March 15
- What to do on March 15
- Who celebrates their birthday on March 15?
What is the church holiday today according to the new style?
According to the new church calendar, March 15 (or March 28 according to the old style) is the day of remembrance of the martyrs Agapius, the two Dionysiuses, Publius, Timolaus, Romilus, and the two Alexanders.
These saints suffered for the Christian faith during the reign of Emperor Diocletian in the 3rd-4th centuries. They were young men who openly declared their devotion to Christ before the ruler Urban. Despite attempts to persuade them to renounce their faith, the young men remained steadfast. Together with them, the Christians Agapius and Dionysius, who were in prison, were executed.
Father's Saturday of the second week of Great Lent
March 15 also falls on Father's Saturday, when believers remember the dead. On this day, it is customary to visit the temple, light candles for the repose of the souls of the deceased, order a Maghrib prayer, and pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased. You can also visit the cemetery, clean up the graves, and honor the memory of your loved ones.
Saturday became a day of remembrance not by chance – in the Old Testament it was considered a day of rest. The Church calls on this day to ask God for forgiveness of the sins of the deceased and to grant them eternal rest.
What church holiday is March 15, old style?
According to the Julian calendar, today we commemorate the holy martyr Theodotus of Cyrene and Saint Job (Boretsky), Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Russia.
Folk omens for March 15
The people call March 15th Alexander's Day. It was believed that:
- Sparrows chirp loudly – to warmth.
- The seagulls have arrived – spring will be early and gentle.
- Bright sunset – there will be a lot of precipitation next week.
If seagulls start swimming in the water, you should expect bad weather.
What not to do on March 15
The Church warns against:
- Likes, quarrels and insults.
- Refusal to help those in need.
- Arranging loud feasts and abusing alcohol on the day of remembrance.
- Leaving food or drinks in cemeteries.
- Slandering the dead.
Also, folk signs warn against visiting the forest, because it is during this period that “wolf weddings” take place, which can be dangerous for humans.
What to do on March 15
- Pray for the repose of the souls of the departed.
- Visit the temple and light a candle for repose.
- Bring a memorial service to church – lean foods for the commemoration (bread, oil, fruit).
- Spend the day in silence and peace, dedicating it to spiritual reflection.
- Observe fasting – hot dishes with oil are allowed on this day.
Who celebrates their birthday on March 15?
Name days celebrated on this day are:
- According to the new style: Alexander, Dionysius, Publius, Timolaus, Romulus.
- According to the old style: Fedot, Nikolai, Arseny, Joseph.
This day reminds us of the importance of spiritual stability, prayerful peace, and honoring the memory of our ancestors. Observance of traditions helps maintain connections between generations and shows respect for faith and culture.
We remind you that we previously wrote about the church holiday in the new and old style, the main traditions and prohibitions of March 14