On February 23, Orthodox Christians remember the Holy Martyr Polycarp, Bishop of Smirnsky, and celebrate a week of meat. This day is important in the church calendar and has a number of folk signs and traditions.
Today, the Orthodox mention St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smirnsky, who lived in the I-II centuries. Polycarp was a student of the Apostle John theologian, became a theologian and bishop. His life was an example of serving God, and even for 86 years, during the persecution of Christians, he refused to renounce the faith and was burned alive.
February 23 also celebrates a week of meat, which is the penultimate week before the big post. This week was named because it stops the consumption of meat on this day. The Liturgy reads the Gospel of the Last Judgment and the Second Come of Christ. This is a time for reflection on spiritual values and repentance.
In the old style, today the memory of the Reverend Prokhora, the miracle worker of the Kiev-Pechersk, and the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Fire" is commemorated. This holiday is of particular importance for old style supporters who continue to celebrate church events on the Julian calendar.
In the folk calendar, this day was called "sour girls". According to the signs, if the girl has not had time to get to this day, then it may remain unmarried until the summer, "sour". Also many signs are associated with birds:
- If you hear the knock of the woodpecker, then the spring will be late;
- If the sparrows start to roll the nests, the cold will no longer be;
- If pigeons are baked, it is clear;
- If forty hid under the roof, wait for the snowstorms;
- If the fog fell, summer will be raw and rainy.
The church recommends this day to refrain from wicked, gossip, and not to refuse help. It is also believed that this day should not be spent in a purely women's company, otherwise the girl will be left without male attention. You should also avoid sweeping a web and killing spiders, as it can bring misfortune.
This day, you can turn to St. Polycarp for help in raising children and for healing from illness. Traditionally, unmarried girls are advised to bake the cake and treat them with their girlfriends that are not married to attract good luck in marriage.
Who celebrates the day of the angel on February 23
on the church calendar of the birthday, today celebrate Clement, Ivan, Sergey, Kuzma, Alexei, Michael, Moses, Nicholas, Alexander. According to the old style - Anna, Anthony, Arkady, Valentina, Basil, Galina, Gennady, Gregory, Ivan, Luke, Mark, Peter, Prokhor.
