On March 30, in Russia, the Man of God of Saint Alexis was honored. In the national calendar, this holiday is listed as Alexey Teply. What do we know about this day? Why is he called that? When is Warm Alexey? How did the ancestors celebrate it? And what signs have survived to this day?
The history of the holiday: choice and formation
In the family of deeply religious Romans Efimia and Aglaida, a boy Alexy was born. From childhood, the child was very devout. Growing up, he began to observe all fasts, pray for a long time and give alms. As a young man, he decided to devote his life to serving God.
Parents chose a bride for their son, their engagement took place. But Alex could not accept the worldly life prepared by his parents. As soon as the moment came, he secretly left his parental home. The young man boarded the ship and arrived in the city of Edessa. There, the young man sold everything he had, and distributed the money to those in need. For himself, he chose the life of the righteous.
Seventeen years spent Alexy in a foreign land. Once the Mother of God, through her icon, commanded that a man of God be brought into the church. History says that it was necessary to find a person whose prayers go back to God and on which the Holy Spirit is. For a very long time they could not understand who they were talking about, until the voice of the icon again prompted, demanding to bring a man of God who was sitting on the porch. They brought the Roman righteous. So the believers learned about Alexia.
Return
Glory weighed Alexis, and he decided to leave Edessa. Again the righteous set sail in a city unknown to him, but by the will of fate the storm carried him to the shores of Italy. The reverend returned to Rome. No one could even think that the blessed one is a young man who left his hometown 17 years ago.
He came to his father's house in search of alms and shelter. Yefimi did not recognize the runaway son. Father ordered to determine his angle and regularly feed him from the master's table. So Alex lived for seventeen years in his father's house, praying relentlessly.
The Lord informed the man of God Alexei about the date of death. The reverend set out on a scroll his whole life, asking for forgiveness from the bride and parents.
In 441, his body was put on the square, where everyone could come. Near the deceased saint, people received healing. According to legend, the Emperor and the Pope personally carried the body of Alexei to the church.
Traditions
Many years later, this story is passed down from generation to generation. Warm Alexey Day in Russia has always been greeted with fun and hopes for a warm and fertile year.
This holiday is always celebrated on March 30. When Warm Alexei stepped on, everyone dressed in the best outfits and celebrated, it was not recommended to work, so as not to anger the spring.
On this day, it was decided to generously feed anyone who knocks on the gate. The fried goose has always been considered the main dish on this holiday. People went to visit each other. Beggars that day especially annoyed hard workers: they drummed all day long at the gates, demanding refreshments. Therefore, when Warm Alexei was advancing, many hosts removed the gate from their hinges. The tramps did not have the opportunity to knock, which means they could not count on refreshments. And the owner himself chose who to feed in the house, and to whom simply to give alms.
Warm Alexei - a holiday from which the collection of birch sap and buds begins. In the old days, children in the forest collected birch buds for leveling and medicinal use. The collection lasted only until the third of April, and after, according to legend, they lost their healing properties.
And, of course, on March 30 the beekeepers were looking forward to it. When Warm Alexei stepped on, they carried out their hives and watched how the bees would behave. If the bees were in no hurry to fly out, cold weather was expected all week. If they were actively flying around the apiary, the owner could count on a rich harvest of honey.
Signs
Most traditions are left in the past, but signs are still passed on by the older generation or people close to the church.
When Warm Alexei arrives, you can hear such signs:
Alexey, from every snowdrift, pour a jug.
What is the weather like on Alexey, such and all spring will be.
- Alexei will be driven by a sleigh past wishes.
Warm Alexei is celebrated on March 30, and he is called so because spring begins with him. It was believed that from this holiday the snowdrifts begin to melt, the fish swims to the shores, the sun shines brighter and warmer.