Today, May 1, Orthodox believers in Ukraine, according to the new calendar style, honor the memory of Saint Joseph the Betrothed - the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly guardian of Jesus Christ. Also on this day, the church remembers the prophet Jeremiah, the Georgian Queen Tamar, and Metropolitan Macarius of Kyiv. According to the old style, Ukrainians honor the Reverend John of Thessalonica.
At the folk level, this day is known as Veremiy Zapashnyk. It is believed that today is especially favorable for working in the gardens and planting vegetables. Our ancestors finally switched from sledges to carts on this day, starting active spring work in the fields and gardens. Traditionally, on this day, they also do a general cleaning of their homes.
Among the folk signs for May 1 are the following: if the beginning of May is hot, cold weather is expected at the end of the month; a thunderstorm on this day portends a bountiful harvest of berries; and if no insects are visible, rain should be expected soon.
Today is also the official Labor Day, an international holiday of workers' solidarity that dates back to 1886, when American workers went on strike demanding an 8-hour workday. In Ukraine, despite martial law, this day is a public holiday, but the additional weekend has been canceled for now.
Prominent Ukrainians were born on May 1: actress Nonna Koperzhynska, singer Vasyl Zinkevich, hockey player Dmytro Nimenko, and Hero of Ukraine Denys Shlegha.
There are a number of prohibitions on this day: it is not recommended to participate in quarrels, conflicts, spend the day in laziness, or wear dirty and torn clothes. Believers traditionally refrain from negative thoughts and bad words.
Today, Akakiy, Veremiy, Yefim, Hnat, Makar, Nina, Tamara (according to the new style), and according to the old style - Anton, Vasyl, Viktor, Yefim, Ivan, Kuzma, Felix, Yan and Tamara.
The weather this day will be warm, clear in the west, cloudy in the central regions, and rain is expected in the northeast.
