On March 30, believers honor the memory of the great saint – John the Baptist, writes IZ. This date has special significance in both the church and folk calendars, as it is associated with signs, traditions and prohibitions. We tell you what church holiday is celebrated on this day, what you can't do and who celebrates their name day.
Content
- Church holiday March 30 in the new style
- What a holiday in the old style
- Folk omens for March 30
- What not to do on March 30
- What is allowed to do on this day?
- Name day March 30
Church holiday March 30 in the new style
According to the New Julian calendar, which the Orthodox Church of Ukraine introduced in 2023, March 30 is the day of memory of St. John the Clergyman. The saint lived in the 6th–7th centuries and was the abbot of the Sinai Monastery.
Originally from Constantinople, at the age of 16 John abandoned worldly life and became a monk on Mount Sinai. He spent twenty years in obedience to the elder Martyrius, and after his death he settled in the desert. He spent 40 years in solitude, prayer, and fasting, receiving the gift of foresight and healing.
At the age of 75, John became the head of the monastery and it was then that he created his most famous work, The Ladder (or The Stairs), in which he described 30 spiritual steps to God's grace. After completing the work, the saint again went into the desert, where he died.
What a holiday in the old style
According to the Julian calendar, the memory of St. Alexis, the man of God, is commemorated on March 30. In many churches that follow the old style, it is this saint who is remembered in prayers on this day.
Folk omens for March 30
In the folk calendar, March 30 is St. John the Baptist's Day. Many signs related to the weather and harvest are associated with it:
• If dandelions bloom, the summer will be short.
• Geese are flying high – expect heavy rains.
• If there are leaves on the shore, but not yet on the alder, the summer will be dry.
• Long rains today portend a rich mushroom harvest.
• If the bees have left the hives, the spring will be warm.
On this day, people prayed to Ivan Listvychnyk, asking him to send rain to the earth.
What not to do on March 30
The Church reminds that on holidays, as on any other day, believers should avoid quarrels, insults, envy, gossip, backbiting, and refusal to help their neighbor. Laziness and despair are considered sinful.
According to popular belief, it is not recommended to:
• wear black clothes – to avoid bringing trouble,
• perform heavy physical labor,
• do sewing or knitting.
What is allowed to do on this day?
March 30 falls during the Great Lent period. However, if the day falls on a Sunday, it is permissible to eat hot dishes with oil.
There is also a tradition of making cookies in the shape of a ladder, a symbol of spiritual ascension to God. The number of steps in such a “ladder” should correspond to the number of family members. According to popular belief, anyone who eats such cookies will be healthy all year long. They can also be given as alms.
Name day March 30
Ivan and Zakhar celebrate their name day in a new style.
According to the old style – Alexey, Pavlo, Makar, Viktor, Alexander and Gabriel.
We remind you that we previously wrote about the holiday of March 29 and the prohibitions on this day.