On Saturday, April 6, according to the new church calendar, believers honor the memory of St. Mary of Egypt and St. Methodius, Archbishop of Moravia. This is a day of repentance, rethinking life, and prayer for healing. According to the old style, this day is celebrated as the feast of Zechariah of the Caves and the pre-celebration of the Annunciation.
What is celebrated in the new style?
Saint Methodius of Moravia was a Greek missionary and companion of Saint Cyril. Together they created the Slavic alphabet, translated liturgical books, and preached Christianity in Great Moravia. After many trials, Methodius ended his life as an archbishop and left a deep mark on Christian culture.
St. Mary of Egypt is a symbol of repentance. Her life reminds us that even the most lost soul can find a way to salvation. Although Mary's feast day is celebrated separately on April 1, her figure is also commemorated on the fifth Saturday of Great Lent.
In the old style
The Julian calendar indicates the day of remembrance of Zachary of the Caves, a faster who asceticized in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and the pre-celebration of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Folk signs on April 6
The people called April 6 Eutychius the Quiet — if the day passed without wind, they expected a rich harvest of grains and vegetables. Other signs:
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morning fog - to prolonged dry weather;
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bright sun - to a cold snap;
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If the maple tree "cries" - spring will be warm.
On this day, it was customary to whitewash apple trees, prop up branches, and prepare for planting.
What not to do on April 6
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to quarrel, lie, insult people and animals;
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to cut branches of apple trees, to break birch trees;
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to be lazy, envious, or angry.
The Church encourages spiritual work, prayer, good deeds, and abstinence from sinful actions.
What can you do today?
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pray to Saints Methodius and Mary of Egypt for health;
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observe fasting - it is allowed to eat hot food with oil;
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to fish - people believed that perch was a good catch on this day.
Who is celebrating a birthday?
According to the new style, the name days of Eutychius and Methodius are celebrated.
According to the old style, the names of Artemius, Volodymyr, Peter, Stepan, and Jacob are celebrated.
