How many different holidays brighten up our everyday life! Among them, there are Orthodox Christians — those granted to us by the holy church, political ones — sent to us from the offices of state power, and there is nothing to hide, pagan, or rather, their modern interpretation. But it happens that in some holiday features of modernity and archaism, Christianity and idolatry are suddenly revealed. Usually such holidays are called folk. This article will tell about one such holiday. This is a holiday of Warm Alexei. It is celebrated on March 30.
Whose name is this holiday
At the turn of the 4th and 5th centuries, in Rome, in a pious but childless family, after long prayers, a son was born. Parents called him Alexy. From the age of six, the child studies diligently and comprehends not only literacy, but also a church dispensation. It fills all his thoughts. When at an appropriate age, parents try to marry Alexy, he, having married the bride, immediately leaves her and, having seized his property, goes to Syria.
Life in Edessa and Homecoming
In the city of Edessa, the reverend offers prayers to the famous miraculous image of Jesus Christ, which the Savior sent to the sick Aghgar. From this day he begins the life of the holy fool. Having sold everything that was with him, he gives out money to the poor, he himself lives on the alms received on the porch of the church of the Virgin. So Alexy spends seventeen years, gaining strength in humility. All his time is filled with prayers and pleasing to God. The glory of his holy life becomes the property of those around him.
Not wanting to be in the spotlight, Alexy leaves Edessa and, not recognized by anyone, returns to Rome, to his father’s house. Years spent in voluntary poverty have changed his face so much that neither his father nor his household knows who is in front of them. Here, living in the position of a simple instigator, he is subjected to all kinds of humiliations and insults, but accepts them as sent down by the Lord to strengthen his humility and non-malice.
Having lived like this for another seventeen years, the saint completes his earthly journey. Before his death, he outlines the story of his life on paper. On this day, during the liturgy in the temple, the Lord reveals to all those present, including the bishop and emperor, all the holiness of Alexy's life. The deceased is honored, and a precious ark is prepared for his relics. So the Christian church finds a new saint - Alexis, the man of God.
What does the warm Alexei holiday mean?
In the popular mind, this saint became the personification of God's reward for humility, for the meek transfer of hardships and tribulations. The crown of suffering will be future bliss - this is the truth that carries its image. That’s why the festival of Warm Alexei is loved by the people, that spring, when he arrives, is also a kind of reward for the winter hardships.
It is difficult for modern people, especially urban residents, surrounded by the achievements of civilization, to imagine everything that winter brought to our ancestors in the vast expanses of Russia. Often in winter, literally had to survive in a hut covered with snow on the roof, under the howl of wolves and the moo of hungry cattle - hay was not always enough until the first grass. So they rejoiced at the end of torment.
The calendar does not indicate an Orthodox holiday - Warm Alexei. Among the church holidays it is not. This is not difficult to verify. By the way, neither the Catholics nor the Protestants have a church holiday, Warm Alexei, either. On this day, Alexy is commemorated in the liturgy of the man of God. Note that even the name is pronounced somewhat differently, but people have never forgotten about it.
Customs on this festive day
Work was not supposed to be that day - it was possible to offend spring. In Russia, especially in the northern part, spring has always been a touchy lady. A little something is wrong, and it will flood with rain tears for whole weeks, and after all, peasants need to go out into the field with a plow and drive the cattle to the first grass - so it’s better not to get angry. The peasants tried to dress festively, and everywhere they heard their congratulations on the warm Alexei holiday that day.
An exception was made only for those who kept the bees. On this day, after a long winter, hives were taken to the apiary. This was accompanied by a certain magic ritual. So that in the summer the bee swarm did not leave its hive and did not fly away, there was a sure remedy. It was necessary to dig a small piece of turf, enclose it three times around the apiary and say: “As this turf (popularly referred to as turf) remains in this place, so my bees will remain in the hive.” They say that helped.
Goose feasts for the holiday
Even on the holiday of Warm Alexei was not supposed to ride a sleigh. The sign was correct: a ride - and there would be no quick melting of snow. Yes, in fact, it was no longer possible to go with it - the winter path under the rays of the sun turned into continuous rivers. We sat at home, celebrated. Arranged goose feasts. Both the hosts and the geese accepted congratulations on the Warm Alexei holiday. The latter, however, was assigned the role of roast.
Those who did not sit at home on this spring day went to collect the first birch sap. It could be drunk in its pure form, and cook honey and birch infusion. It was a bit of a mess. Modern housewives can easily cook it. To do this, take 150 grams of honey and the same amount of sugar. Knead them in a liter of birch sap and cook for 20 minutes. After that add bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and ginger. After boiling for five minutes, remove from heat and strain. The resulting drink is not only tasty, but also gives strength. Here are just spices often added only those that could be found in their village shops. Not a single feast of Warm Alexei could do without such a treat.
Sayings and signs related to the holiday
Of course, the national holiday could not but be reflected in folklore. There are many different sayings associated with it. Let us recall at least: “Alexey - pour a jug from every snowdrift”, “Water from the mountains to Alexey, and fish from the camp,” and so on. In addition, life experience helped to predict the future in natural phenomena. From here, folk signs were born for the holiday Warm Alexei. For example, they said that if it is warm on this day, then the spring will be early and warm, by the abundance of streams it was determined how wide the rivers would soon spill, and much more.
Marital signs and customs on this day
And another interesting fact. Warm Alexei is a holiday whose signs predicted not only the weather, but also changes in his personal life. For example, it was believed that if a girl gives a beggar a shirt for a holiday, then this is a sure sign of a speedy marriage.
So by the cherished day, many girls secretly prepared gifts for the poor. It was possible by holiday signs to determine even the appearance of his betrothed. To do this, it was enough to come to the garden on the eve of the holiday and, closing your eyes, break the willow branch. If it turns out to be long and even - the future husband will be just a sight for sore eyes, tall and slim. Well, if the branch turns out to be short and crooked, it’s your own fault, there’s no one to blame.
They didn’t throw away the successfully broken branch, but carried it to the church. After that, she could bewitch the desired groom. It was necessary either to touch it with a branch directly in the church, or, what is even more reliable, throw pieces of the branch into the water or put it under a pillow.
Pre-Christian Culture and Orthodoxy
Of course, in all this there is a clear mixture of paganism and Christianity, but on the whole it is touching and poetic. This spring day brought people joy, and that is why we say that Warm Alexei is a holiday. Signs, customs and beliefs are its organic part, and without them he would have lost his charm.
When we talk about returning to our spiritual foundations, we, of course, primarily mean the Orthodox culture, the thousand-year-old luggage of which over the past decades, we have largely lost. Orthodoxy is the basis of our morality and moral purity. But it would be a serious mistake to cross out and forget those deep layers of culture that were created by our ancient ancestors. They are also our roots.