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Simon is one of the apostles of Christ and his disciple. He has a middle name – Zealot, which is used even more often. Simonov’s day is celebrated every spring according to the national calendar. We tell you when the holiday will take place in 2023, what is its history and traditions.
When is Simonov’s Day celebrated in Our Country in 2023
Simonov day falls on 23 May (May 10, old style), the date is fixed and will not change in 2023.
In the folk calendar, this day is also celebrated the name day of Mother Raw Earth. Therefore, on a holiday it was considered bad form to work in the field or garden: to plow, dig, drive in stakes, or in any other way disturb the peace of the earth.
And in the Orthodox calendar, May 23 is marked as the Day of the Apostle Simon the Zealot.
history of the holiday
Who was Simon and why is he revered? According to legend, Simon is the elder half-brother of Christ, the son of his worldly father Joseph. Simon’s main activity before becoming an apostle was fishing.
According to beliefs, Christ performed one of his Great Miracles at the wedding of his brother. During the celebration, wine ran out, which was considered a bad omen for a young family, then Mary asked her son to help her brother and his wife. Christ fulfilled the request of the mother and again filled the empty vats with wine. Simon, after seeing a miracle, believed in the power of Christ and a few weeks later, leaving his wife, went on a journey with the Savior, became his disciple and one of the twelve apostles.
Practically no documentary sources have been preserved about Simon’s activities, only oral ones. It is only mentioned a few times in the gospel. And, according to legend, he preached in the territories of Africa and the East. Also was in Egypt, Mauritania, Libya. There is no reliable information about where and how Simon died, but it is known for sure that his death was a martyr.
Holiday traditions
Simon is considered the patron saint of healers and herbalists, so on his day, May 23, it is customary to collect medicinal plants. Healers were waiting for this particular date in order to prepare herbs: it was believed that on Simon’s day, herbs acquire miraculous properties.
According to tradition, before collecting herbs, it was necessary to wash, put on clean clothes and ask Mother Earth for permission. When collecting, certain rituals were also observed – for example, herbs could not be plucked by hand. They were collected with sickles or clean cloths or towels were used.
On this day, families stocked up on roots, inflorescences, and bark. They collected medicinal herbs for potions that helped from various diseases, or, on the contrary, made “love” potions from herbs, or chose plants from mice, evil spirits and other problems.
They believed that if a bunch of fresh herbs is hung over the head of a baby, then it can be determined whether the child will fall ill soon or not. If the plants quickly wither – expect sorrows.
Traditionally, on Simonov’s Day, it was forbidden to work in the field and garden, to engage in any work that could bring pain to Mother Earth, such as plowing or digging.
There was also a belief associated with the search for treasure. It was believed that if you untie the dogs before dawn and follow them, you can find a treasure. But only good people who are kind to animals will find it. But if the owner was “thin”, then he did not find a treasure, but all sorts of troubles like meeting with live snakes. However, the activity of treasure hunters was not approved – the thirst for profit met only censure.
Signs for Simon’s Day
- If it rains in the morning, then the summer will also be rainy.
- If cumulus clouds are floating, then the next few days will be sunny and warm.
- If the birds began to chirp before dawn, then there will be a thunderstorm.
- If you meet a thrush on Simonov’s day in the forest – this is to wealth.