Folk signs for April 10: what can and cannot be done

In Russia, omens have been given special importance since ancient times. They were used to judge the weather, the harvest, and even the future. Every day of the national calendar was full of rituals and superstitions. Izvestia tells about the popular signs of April 10 and the church holidays that fall on this date.

Folk signs for April 10

In Russia, on April 10, the holiday of Hilarion was celebrated-turn out the shafts. It was so called by the people because of its connection with the weather - by that day it was already warm, and the snow was melting quickly. Therefore, people began to actively prepare for field work. The men were putting the yard and various equipment in order: The shafts were turned out of the sleigh, and then they were put away for storage until the next winter. The women also checked the seeds, and also prepared the farm for a new field cycle.

On this day, it was customary to clear ponds, wells and springs that had been freed from ice from last year's foliage and debris. It was assumed that along with the meltwater and mud, the winter heaviness and stagnation allegedly disappeared from people's lives.

The ancestors paid special attention to the first spring plants, especially the mother-and-stepmother. In Russia, various medicinal teas were prepared from the flowers of this plant. The decoction was also used for colds, bronchitis and fever.

A lot of folk traditions were associated with the holiday. The ancestors closely monitored nature on April 10 to make a forecast for the coming weeks and determine whether the year would be fruitful.

According to legend, if the sun turns scarlet at dawn on a holiday and quickly disappears behind clouds, then this is a harbinger of imminent rain. If the sun suddenly shone brightly on an overcast day before sunset, then we should expect prolonged downpours. A dull and long thunder during a thunderstorm on this day promises heavy precipitation and bad weather.

Other signs of the day:

— magpies are perching on the treetops — by the end of the cold weather;

— it's raining — for a bountiful harvest;

— the snowmelt has steep slopes around the edges, leading to a cold spring;

— lapwings fly low — for hot and dry summers;

— fog or frost in the morning leads to a good harvest of fruits, vegetables and cereals.

What not to do on April 10

In Russia, a number of superstitions were associated with Hilarion-turn out the shafts. It was believed that it was dangerous to swear on this day, as the quarrel could drag on for a long time. It was also not recommended to slam doors on the holiday, so as not to disturb the brownie, who, being angry, could deprive the house of comfort, prosperity, and the family of consent.

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What else can not be done on April 10:

— turning out your pockets leads to financial losses and poverty;

— treat things carelessly — to failure;

— to pick up the found money from the ground — to the loss of own funds;

— being lazy leads to difficulties in working throughout the year.

What is the church holiday on April 10th?

On this day, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Hilarion the New, Abbot of Pelikite. He was born in 694, chose the spiritual path in his youth, was ordained a presbyter, and later headed the Pelikite Monastery, located near the Dardanelles.

It was believed that the Lord endowed Hilarion with the gift of a seer and healer. According to legend, the monk treated the sick, protected crops from wild animals, begged for rain in a drought, averted hail and helped fishermen when the nets were empty.

His ministry fell during the era of iconoclastic persecution. In the spring of 754, on Holy Thursday, the Pelikite monastery was attacked by the troops of the military commander Lakhanodragon. The soldiers broke into the temple during the divine service, destroyed the altar, desecrated the shrine, and killed Hilarion himself. His disciples also suffered: 42 monks were captured and then executed, while the rest were tortured.

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Prayers on April 10th

St. Hilarion the New is asked to strengthen his faith and grant perseverance in the profession of Orthodoxy. In addition, believers pray for healing from diseases, as well as for protection from evil spirits and enemies.

Prayer to St. Hilarion the New, Abbot of Pelikite

"O holy head, Venerable Father, Most Blessed Abbot Hilarion, do not forget your poor to the end, but always remember us in holy and auspicious prayers to God: remember your flock, which you have saved yourself, and do not forget to visit your children. Pray for us, holy Father, for your spiritual children, for you have Boldness to the Heavenly King: do not be silent for us to the Lord, and do not despise us who honor you with faith and love: remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God, for you have been given the grace to pray for us. We don't think you're dead.: For though you have passed away from us in body, but you are still alive after death, do not depart from us in spirit, preserving us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of demons and the machinations of the devil, our good shepherd. For even though your relics of cancer are always visible before our eyes, your holy soul, with angelic hosts, fleshless faces, and heavenly powers, stands at the throne of the Almighty, rejoicing worthily, leading you in truth and being alive after death, we fall down and pray to you: pray for us to Almighty God, for For the benefit of our souls, and grant us time for repentance, so that we may safely pass from earth to heaven, and may we be delivered from bitter ordeals, demons of the air, and eternal torment, and may we be heiresses of the heavenly Kingdom with all the righteous who have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ from the beginning.: To Him belongs all glory, honor, and worship, together with His Beginningless Father, and with His All-holy, Good, and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen to that."

Earlier, Izvestia told us what prayers are read on Annunciation Day.

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