On Sunday, April 27, Ukrainians, according to the new church calendar, honor the memory of St. Stephen, Abbot of Kyiv-Pechersk, as well as the Lviv Icon of the Mother of God “Odigitria”. This day is also known as Antipascha, or Fomina Sunday. The people called April 27 Farewell or Tombs.
In 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine switched to the new Julian calendar, so the dates of non-transitory holidays shifted by 13 days. However, some believers continue to adhere to the old style.
Church holidays according to the new and old calendar
Today, according to the new style, we commemorate Saint Stephen of the Caves, a disciple of the Venerable Theodosius of the Caves, who later became Bishop of Volodymyr-Volyn. He did much to strengthen the Christian faith in Volyn and founded new monasteries.
The Lviv Icon of the Mother of God “Odigitria” is also honored, which for over 600 years has been one of the greatest shrines in Lviv.
According to the old style, this day commemorates Saint Martin, the confessor and Pope of Rome.
In addition, Antipascha, the first Sunday after Easter, is celebrated on April 27. This is a kind of repetition of Easter joy, when they remember the appearance of the risen Christ to the Apostle Thomas.
Traditions and signs of the day
April 27 is popularly called Semyon Day or Semyon Ranopashets. Our ancestors considered this day auspicious for starting field work and believed that the warmth of this day promised a good harvest.
The most common signs:
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Bright sun at dawn - there will be strong winds in the summer.
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There is no dew - it will rain in the evening.
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Rain on this day means a rich harvest of bread.
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Fog in the evening - to warming.
Also on this day, people traditionally visit the graves of relatives, commemorate the deceased, and bring fresh flowers to the cemetery.
What not to do on April 27
On this day, you should not quarrel, be lazy, be jealous, insult others, or refuse help. It is not recommended to leave food and alcohol on graves on Farewell Day.
Also, according to folk traditions, on this day you should not engage in heavy physical labor or needlework.
What can be done?
You can pray for the health of your loved ones and for the repose of the souls of the deceased, visit church, or pray at home. It is considered a good omen to have a family dinner and give alms to the needy.
Who is celebrating a birthday?
Today's name days are celebrated by: Anastasia, Ivan, Mykola, Pavlo, Petro, Semen, Sergey, Stepan.
According to the old style, the names of Alexander, Anton, Valentin, and Martin are celebrated.
