March 30 in Russia honored the Man of God St. Alexis. In the folk calendar, this holiday is listed as Alexei Teply. What do we know about this day? Why is it called that? When is Warm Alexei? How did the ancestors celebrate it? And what signs have survived to this day?
History of the holiday: choice and formation
A boy Alexy was born in the family of deeply believing Romans Efimy and Aglaida. From childhood, the child was very pious. Growing up, he began to observe all fasts, pray for a long time and distribute 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 Alexei could not accept the worldly life prepared by his parents. As soon as the moment came, he secretly left his parents' house. The young man boarded a 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 a righteous man.
Alexy spent seventeen years in a foreign land. Once, the Mother of God, through her icon, ordered to bring a man of God into the church. The story goes that it was necessary to find a man whoseprayers ascend to God and on whom there is the Holy Spirit. 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 the man of God who was sitting on the porch. They brought a Roman righteous man. This is how the believers learned about Alexia.
Return
Glory burdened Alexy, and he decided to leave Edessa. Again the righteous man set sail to an unknown city, but by the will of fate a storm carried him to the shores of Italy. The monk 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. Yefimiy did not recognize his runaway son. The father ordered to determine a corner for him and regularly feed him from the master's table. So Aleksey lived for seventeen years in his father's house, praying tirelessly.
The Lord informed the man of God Alexei about the date of his death. The reverend wrote down his entire life on a scroll, asking for forgiveness from his bride and parents.
In 441, his body was placed in 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
After many years, this story is passed down from generation to generation. The Day of Warm Alexei in Russia has always been met with fun and hopes for a warm and fertile year.
This holiday is always celebrated on March 30th. When Warm Alexei came, everyone dressed in their best clothes and celebrated, there was no workrecommended so as not to anger the spring.
On this day, it was customary to generously feed anyone who knocked on the gate. Roasted goose has always been considered the main dish of this holiday. People used to visit each other. The beggars on this day especially annoyed the hard workers: all day long they banged on the gate, demanding treats. Therefore, when Teply Alexei advanced, many owners removed the gate from its 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 who just to give alms.
Teply Aleksey - 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 using for medicinal purposes. The collection lasted only until the third of April, and after, according to legend, they lost their healing properties.
And, of course, beekeepers were looking forward to March 30th. When Warm Alexei advanced, they took 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 actively flew around the apiary, the owner could count on a rich harvest of honey.
Signs
Most of the traditions are in the past, but signs are still passed on by the older generation or people close to the church.
When Warm Alexey comes, these are the signs you can hear:
- Alexey, pour a jug from each snowdrift.
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What's the weather like for Alexei, this will be the whole spring.
A sleigh will be rolled past Alexeiwishes
Warm Alexei is celebrated on March 30, and he is called so because spring begins with him. It was believed that it was from this holiday that the snowdrifts begin to melt, the fish swim up to the shores, the sun shines brighter and warmer.
