May 2 — Day of Ivan the Old Cave, Ivan the Warrior. Spring is now «dressed»

CrimeaPRESS reports:

May 2 — according to custom, on the day of Ivan the Old Cave, rural weavers “dressed spring in novelty”, because on May 2 “spring flaunts, shows itself”. Women, with canvases woven this year, went out into the field, bowed on all four sides and, turning to the east, said: “Here’s mother-spring, a new novelty! Woven canvases were hung on bushes touched with greenery and laid out on young grass, a cake was placed on the canvas and left. They believed that for such gifts, mother spring would take care of the harvest of flax, rye and hemp. It was believed that during the ceremony, the canvases were filled with the power of the first greenery and spring water. Our ancestors believed that the power of the red sun would be transmitted to the entire human race.

Preparing for the fair, warmed up and aired canvases were rolled up into “novinas” – a kind of large tubes. If canvases sold well at the fair, then a candle was placed in front of the icon of John the Old Cave in the hope that bread would be born in abundance just like hemp and flax.

May 2: signs and beliefs

• If it rains, June will be warm and sunny.
• Warm weather on this day promises a cold snap at the end of the month.
• The birch blossomed before the maple — by the dry summer.
• Wild ducks build nests near water — summer can be dry.
• If swallows, cranes and larks have arrived by this day, then a cold snap is not expected.
• Sleep from May 1 to 2 can be fulfilled within 7-10 days.

The Orthodox Church venerates John the Old Cave on May 2

Monk, Christian ascetic and presbyter. John lived in the 8th century. In his youth he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and then settled in the Lavra of St. Khariton. Another name for this monastery is the Old Lavra, i.e. the eldest of the Palestinian monasteries. There was a laurel near the Dead Sea, not far from Bethlehem. While living in a monastery, John reached a high spiritual perfection, and over time he was ordained to the priesthood.

On May 2, they remember the holy martyr John the Warrior, who lived in the 4th century. During the persecution of Christians, he served in the army of Julian the Apostate and was forced to participate in the persecution. Despite this, he assisted the Christians in every possible way, facilitating escapes or warning of another raid. He visited fellow believers imprisoned. The saint was kind not only to Christians, but also to all those in need: he consoled the mourners, visited the sick.

Having learned about the support that John the Warrior provides to Christians, the emperor ordered him to be imprisoned, where the man was awaiting execution. When in 361 Julian the Apostate died during a battle with the Persians, John was released from custody.

The saint died at a ripe old age. The exact date of his death is unknown. According to legend, having appeared to a pious woman, he indicated the place of his burial, after which his relics were transferred to the church of the Apostle John the Theologian, located in Constantinople. The relics of John the Warrior are miraculous.

Also on this day, May 2, celebrate:

• International Harry Potter Day
• Memorial Day of the Blessed Matrona of Moscow
• World Password Day
• Spring watercolor day
• World Tuna Day
• Gardener’s Day in the Ulyanovsk region
• International Scurvy Awareness Day
• National Brothers And Sisters Day — USA
• National Day of Reason — USA
• May 2 — National Truffle Day — USA
• Teacher’s Day — Bhutan • Teacher’s Day — Iran
• Education Day — Indonesia
• May 2 — Madrid Day — Spain
• National Play Your Ukulele Day — USA
• Saint Boris Day — Bulgaria
• May 2 — Flag Day, Polish Diaspora Day — Poland
• Feast of Kutaisoba (Day of Kutaisi) – Georgia
• National Day of Prayer — USA
• Ivan Vetopeschernik

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