March 22 according to the Orthodox calendar is the day of 40 Sebastopol martyrs. This day in the people is connected first of all with spring and birds, and the main symbol of day of the spring equinox since times of Ancient Russia are larks.
The story of this day
According to legend, in 320 in the Armenian city of Sebastia was a Roman army of 40 Christian soldiers. The pagan military leader Agricola demanded that they offer sacrifices to pagan idols. And when the soldiers refused, they were brutally tortured, their bodies burned and thrown into the river. Three days later, they appeared in a dream to Bishop Peter of Sebastopol, told about their spiritual feat and asked to bury their remains according to Christian custom. That was done.
Now it is one of the most revered Christian holidays. It symbolizes heroism and steadfastness in the name of Christ.
What you can and can’t do on this day
On this day, strict fasting is facilitated for believers. You can eat with oil, as well as drink a little cahors.
On All Saints’ Day, you should go to church, where you should thank God for everything and ask for protection from troubles and diseases. Also today we should pray for the health of those who are far from home.
On 40 saints in any case it is impossible to swear, be angry and even to think of bad.
On the Day of the 40 Saints, it is not allowed to clean and work at all. It is forbidden to sew, knit, repair anything. It was believed that if this ban was ignored, “40 sores can be earned.”
It is also undesirable to borrow money on this day.
On this sacred day, you need to make plans for the future, even write them down on paper and dream.