On this day, believers honor the memory of the martyr Matrona of Thessaloniki. According to the new church style, March 27 is her day of remembrance, as well as the day when it is worth asking her for blessings on work and peace in the family, writes IZ. We tell you which church holiday is celebrated today, what customs to observe, what not to do, and who has a name day.
Content
- What church holiday is today according to the new style?
- What a holiday in the old style
- Folk omens for March 27
- What not to do on March 27
- What can you do on this day?
- Who is celebrating a birthday?
What church holiday is today according to the new style?
According to the New Julian calendar, which the Orthodox Church of Ukraine has been using since 2023, March 27 is dedicated to Saint Matrona of Thessalonica. She lived in the 3rd–4th centuries in the city of Thessaloniki and was a slave of a Jewish woman named Pautila. Although her mistress forced Matrona to renounce the Christian faith, she remained steadfast. Because of this, she was brutally beaten and locked up, but she was miraculously freed each time and continued to pray. In the end, she died from the cruel torture, and her relics became a shrine. Later, Bishop Alexander built a temple in her honor.
What a holiday in the old style
For those who follow the Julian calendar, March 27th is the day of remembrance of Saint Benedict and the blessed Prince Rostislav of Kiev.
Folk omens for March 27
In the folk calendar, this day is known as Matrena Nastovitsa. In ancient times, on this day, linen was bleached in the snow, and the weather was considered prophetic:
- Morning frost or fog – for a fruitful year.
- Clear sky – to a large harvest of berries.
- Birds fly high – to clear, rainless weather.
- Warm day – summer will be hot.
It is also customary to pray for a good harvest.
What not to do on March 27
On a church holiday, you should not swear, slander, lie, or be lazy. According to popular belief, quarrels on this day can drag on for a long time, and idleness is considered disrespectful to the memory of Saint Matrona, who was famous for her hard work.
What can you do on this day?
Saint Matrona is considered the patroness of women and the household. Women turn to her with prayers for support in work, harmony in the family and blessings for daily affairs. The day is favorable for cleaning, washing and putting things in order. There is a tradition of burning old things to get rid of troubles.
Who is celebrating a birthday?
Name days according to the new style are celebrated by:
Makar, Alexander, Ivan, Pavel.
According to the old style: Benedict, Rostislav, Michael, Theodosius.
We remind you that we previously wrote about what believers celebrate on March 26.