April 5 is the day when believers celebrate important church holidays, which fall on the fifth day of Great Lent. In Ukraine, the church calendar is divided into two styles: new and old, and therefore the date of the celebration may differ slightly. On this day, the martyrs Agathopos, deacon, and Theodulus, reader, are remembered, as well as the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos, writes IZ.
Content
- Church holiday April 5 in the new style
- Feast of the Praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Church holiday April 5th according to the old style
- Signs for April 5
- What not to do on April 5
- What to do on April 5
- Angel Day April 5
Church holiday April 5 in the new style
On April 5, according to the new style, the memory of the martyrs Agathopos, deacon, and Theodulus, reader, is celebrated. These saints lived in Thessalonica in the 3rd-4th centuries and actively preached Christianity. Agathopos and Theodulus were arrested during the persecution of Christians, endured numerous trials and died a martyr's death. The legend tells of healing through a ring with a cross that appeared to Theodulus in a dream, and how the saints reappeared on earth after being thrown into the sea in a bound state, remaining alive and in clothes that shone with light.
Feast of the Praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary
April 5 also falls on the feast of the Praise of the Most Holy Theotokos, which is traditionally celebrated on Saturday of the fifth week of Great Lent. This holiday has no fixed date and is established in honor of the salvation of Constantinople from Persian and Scythian attackers in the 9th century. Believers honor the Theotokos, who protected the city, by turning to her image and singing an akathist – a song sung while standing. The holiday has gained popularity throughout the Eastern Church and is one of the important stages in Great Lent.
Church holiday April 5th according to the old style
According to the Julian calendar, April 5 (April 18 according to the new style) is the day of remembrance of the holy martyr Nikon of Sicily and his 199 disciples. This day is also dedicated to the holy Nikon, the abbot of Kiev-Pechersk, who played an important role in the development of the Orthodox faith in Russia.
Signs for April 5
April 5 also has its own folk signs, which are usually associated with the weather and the forecast for the summer:
- If birds build their nests on the sunny side, the summer will be rainy.
- A warm and dry day promises heat in the summer, while cloudy weather promises rain.
- Heavy rains today indicate a bountiful harvest.
- The swallows haven't arrived yet – winter will drag on.
- A lot of sap on the shore – the summer will be rainy.
It is also said among the people that the cold winds are replaced by warm ones, and from this day on, crickets and butterflies begin to appear in the gardens.
What not to do on April 5
On this day, according to church traditions, one should not swear, gossip, insult people, or refuse help. This holiday requires believers to show kindness, tolerance, and willingness to support others. The Church calls for avoiding lies, envy, and laziness.
What to do on April 5
April 5 is a day when believers can pray to Saints Agathopos and Theodulus, asking for their help in overcoming life's difficulties and strengthening faith. In folk tradition, on April 5, it is recommended to do a general cleaning of the house, get rid of dust and ventilate the premises, which, according to beliefs, helps protect the house from negativity.
Angel Day April 5
People who celebrate their name day on this day include Alexei, Georgii, Mark, Nikolay, Platon, Semyon, and Feodul. According to the old style, Alexei, Anastasia, Varvara, Vasily, Ilya, Lydia, Makarii, Nikon, Sergiy, and Stefan celebrate their name day.
We remind you that we previously wrote about the church holiday of April 4.