Why you should put coins in the corners on March 12 and why it is undesirable to sleep late today: signs and prohibitions on Theophanes
March 12 in the new church calendar marks the memory of Saint Theophanes the Confessor and Saint Gregory the Two-Worded, known to the people as Theophanes Day.
It was believed that on this day the snow cover finally disappears, and the earth begins to thaw.
Theophanes Day: historical information about the saint
Saint Theophanes lived in Constantinople in the 8th-9th centuries. His father died when Theophanes was only three years old. After that, the boy was taken care of by Emperor Leo the Isaurian, a friend of his father. Before entering into marriage according to the requirements of his new role, Theophanes agreed with his future wife to maintain chastity. Since childhood, he had dreamed of becoming a monk and leading a righteous life.
After the wedding, Theophanes met Gregory Strategii, who tonsured him into a monk and blessed him to found a monastery. In the monastery on the island of Kalonim, the saint devoted himself to prayer and copying books, and the Lord endowed him with the ability to heal the sick and cast out evil spirits.
Later, he founded a monastery in the Sigrian region and became abbot. He fell ill at the age of fifty and suffered until his death. Under the rule of Leo the Armenian, a new wave of persecution of icons flared up, Theophanes was arrested, and the monastery was destroyed. He spent a month in prison, after which he departed into eternity.
Theophanes’ Day: traditions and folk customs
On this day, special attention was paid to horses, because they were indispensable helpers of the peasants. It was believed that if an animal fell ill tomorrow, this foreshadowed illness for the whole summer. To protect horses, they were led to a spring, where a silver coin or ring was hidden.
People kept numerous signs about horses. They said: “A good owner does not have a bad horse.” If a horse shakes its head – this is to bad weather, and if it snorts on the road – to a happy meeting.
Those who grew flax or hemp scattered seeds for birds, believing that this would help to produce good flax. Others were preparing for sowing. Healers performed rituals and read conspiracies for treatment of diseases.
Regarding the weather on this day, there were the following signs:
a sunny day – the summer will be hot;
crows sit on the ground – it will soon get warmer;
fog in the morning – a good flax harvest;
hoarfrost on the trees – a cold and rainy June.
In ancient Ukraine, the snow had usually melted by this time, so at dawn people went outside to meet spring.
On this day, special cleaning of the house was practiced: the front door was sprinkled with holy water, and a coin was placed in each corner to attract prosperity. It was also customary to bake round pies so that there were no conflicts in family relationships.
What not to do on March 12
On the church holiday of March 12, it is strictly forbidden to swear, think bad things, be jealous, or insult animals. The church condemns laziness, greed, and deceit.
According to folk signs, today you should not borrow money, because you can be left without finances. It is also not recommended to accept free gifts; you should even thank yourself with a coin for the thing you receive. It is believed that you cannot sleep for a long time on this day – this will make the year unsuccessful.
Great Lent is in progress: during fasting on this day, it is allowed to eat hot dishes, but without oil.
