Today, April 18, Ukrainians celebrate several important dates at once - both according to the church and folk calendars. According to the new style, Orthodox Christians honor the memory of St. John of Thessalonica and St. Cosmas. It is also Good Friday of Holy Week - one of the most sorrowful days of the year.
What does the holiday of April 18 mean in a new style?
Saint John of Thessalonica lived in the 8th century, was a disciple of Gregory the Decapolis and a defender of icons during the iconoclastic persecutions. Together with his companions, Joseph the Songwriter and Gregory, John disobeyed the orders of Emperor Leo the Armenian and was persecuted for it.
Saint Cosmas, a 9th-century bishop of Chalcedon, also suffered for refusing to remove holy icons from churches. He was exiled, then returned, but he continued to speak out against heresy. He died in 816 from physical exhaustion due to persecution.
Good Friday is a day of mourning
This is the day when the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ are remembered. The Shroud, a symbolic cloth depicting the Savior, is carried out in churches. Believers observe a strict fast, some completely abstain from food until evening.
What is the church holiday according to the old style?
According to the Julian calendar, April 18 is the day of remembrance of the martyrs Agathopos and Theodoulus, who died for their faith. This day is also accompanied by prohibitions and traditions associated with Holy Week.
Signs and traditions of April 18
Today, people honor Saint Kuzma the Gardener, the patron saint of good harvests. There was a sign: if the nightingale crows, it is time to sow flax.
Folk signs:
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Warm on April 18 - the end of the month will be cold.
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Rain today - fishing will be successful.
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You can't sleep too much - you'll sleep your happiness away.
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It is forbidden to quarrel, gossip, or undertake hard work.
What can be done?
Pray to St. John - ask for strength of spirit, endurance, and deliverance from addictions.
Turn to St. Cosmas - ask for a good harvest.
Collect healing herbs - it is believed that they are especially useful today.
If you get caught in the rain - it is for health.
Who is celebrating their birthday today?
According to the new style: Vasyl, Viktor, Efim, Ivan, Kuzma, Mikhail, Tamara, Felix.
According to the old style: Alexei, Georgy, Marko, Nikolay, Platon, Semen, Feodul.
