On this day, Orthodox believers honor the memory of Saint Alexis, a man of God. The saint is known for his devotion to Christ and ascetic lifestyle. His feat became an example of faith and self-sacrifice, writes IZ.
Content
- Church holiday March 17 according to the new and old style
- Folk omens for March 17
- What not to do on March 17
- What can you do on this day?
- Who celebrates their birthday on March 17?
Church holiday March 17 according to the new and old style
Since 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine has switched to the new Julian calendar. Accordingly, holidays with a fixed date have been moved 13 days earlier. Therefore, on March 17, according to the new style, the memory of Saint Alexis is honored. Those who adhere to the old style celebrate the day of Saint Gerasimos of Jordan.
Saint Alexis lived in the 4th-5th centuries. Born into a wealthy Roman family, he decided to renounce worldly goods and devote his life to serving God. Leaving his fiancée, he went to Mesopotamia, where he lived among the poor. He spent 17 years in prayer and charity, until he began to be revered as a man of God. He returned home in the guise of a beggar, but his relatives did not recognize him. For another 17 years, Saint Alexis lived in his native home, remaining unnoticed until he died. Only after his death did it become known who he really was. The relics of the saint are kept in Rome, in the church of Saint Boniface.
Folk omens for March 17
This day is popularly known as Alexei Teplyy, as it usually marks warming. Several weather signs are associated with it:
- If the day is warm, then spring will be mild.
- If geese fly high, expect snow.
- If the starlings are not yet visible, there will be bad weather.
- If thunder is heard on this day, the summer will be warm and fruitful.
It was believed that after this day you could start sowing barley.
What not to do on March 17
- Arguing and insulting others – it is believed that negative emotions can come back three times.
- Refusing help can lead to difficulties in your own life.
- Lending money or things is believed to mean that along with the debt, you can “give away” your luck or even the fate of a child, if there is one in the family.
- Going on a long journey – the day is considered unfavorable for travel.
- Starting new things – they may not go as expected.
What can you do on this day?
- Pray to Saint Alexis, asking for his intercession.
- Collect birch sap – it is considered beneficial and gives strength.
- Cooking a decoction of birch sap with honey is believed to improve health.
- To observe a fast – on this day it is customary to strictly adhere to a dry diet.
- If an unmarried girl sees a stork, she should sit down – this will attract a groom into her life.
Who celebrates their birthday on March 17?
According to the new style, the day of the angel is celebrated by: Alexey, Pavel, Makar, Victor, Alexander, Gabriel.
According to the old style – Alexander, Vasyl, Vyacheslav, Georgy, Grigory, Danilo, Pavlo, Ulyana, Jacob.
We remind you that we previously wrote about the church holiday, folk signs and main prohibitions on March 16.