Contents
Why women should spend March 4 in the kitchen
What must be done on this day so that the whole year is rich and happy.
Today it is generally accepted that the first spring holiday is March 8th. But no. According to the popular calendar, spring begins to come into its own on March 4 (February 19 according to the old style), the day of the veneration of Saints Arkhip and Philemon.
In Orthodoxy, this is the day of remembrance of the apostles Archippus, Philemon and his wife, Martyr Apphia, Equal to the Apostles. These saints lived in the XNUMXst century AD and were brutally killed for their faith during the reign of Emperor Nero.
It is believed that women should spend March 4 in the kitchen
What should be done on this day to have happiness, prosperity and health?
Do good. Traditionally, this date was considered a day of good deeds – the more good you do, the more happiness lies ahead.
A woman should get up early and start kitchen chores. Put the dough on the dough, try to cook as many different dishes as possible. A simple feast from the reserves left over from the winter meant a complete victory over the cold season.
Loaf oven. On the holiday of Arkhip and Philemon, they baked a ruddy loaf – the personification of the sun and warmth.
Treat neighbors with pastries. The loaf in those days was pinched off piece by piece, divided between households, neighbors and travelers passing by. The loaf was certainly eaten without a trace, so as not to starve in the future.
Scatter crumbs. The crumbs remaining after the loaf were carefully collected and thrown behind their backs. There was a popular belief: if you throw the loaf crumbs back at the beginning of spring, there will be a harvest in the fall, you will definitely be with bread and salt.
Feed the livestock and poultry more satisfyingly, because they were able to survive the winter together with the owners.
In addition to the loaf, bake a lot of cabbage and potato pies. Get sauerkraut and salted mushrooms from stocks, homemade liqueur and feast.
Take a walk to neighbors or relatives and borrow something from food. They borrowed at least a little salt or an egg. So they called for spring: you see, spring, the shelves in the hut are already empty, come quickly, warm the earth, let everything grow for the joy and satiety of people.
Be sure to dress warmly, because there was a sign: God forbid getting sick on such a day, the illness will be long.
Signs of the day
Since March 4, the peasants have been vigilantly watching the behavior of the animals. The hares in the forest are still white, so wait for more snow. If the bunnies are already changing their fur coat to a gray one, it will be warm.
Seagulls fly over reservoirs – ice drift soon.
The sun on this day meant a satisfying and healthy year for everyone.
Saint Philemon was called by the people in a simple way Filya Veshniy.