On March 16, Orthodox churches honor the great martyr Eutropius, who lived in the 3rd-4th centuries in Asia Minor. This day, known as Eutropius Day, was once considered extremely dangerous, and people avoided not only the forests but also leaving their homes. Let’s explore why this was so.
On March 16, Orthodox Christians pay tribute to the great martyr Eutropius of Amasea, who lived at the turn of the 3rd and 4th centuries. The name of this saint is associated with the names of Cleonicus, his close relative, and Basiliscus — the nephew of the great martyr Theodore the Tyro.
According to historical sources, Eutropius, Cleonicus, and Basiliscus, who preached Christianity, were arrested during the persecutions of believers. They were imprisoned in the city of Amasea and tortured, demanding renunciation of their faith. Eutropius was offered to pretend that he had renounced Orthodoxy, but was required to make a sacrifice to idols.
When he refused to compromise, the torture continued. Ultimately, the great martyrs were killed: Cleonicus and Basiliscus were crucified, and Eutropius was beheaded. The remains of the saints were secretly buried by Christians near the city.
Folk Calendar: Eutropius Day
The main symbol of Eutropius Day is the bear. Usually, at this time, the bears would emerge from their dens. The starving animals posed a real danger, so people did not risk going into the woods alone.
On March 16 (March 3 in the old style), a special ritual was to be performed to gain the support of the sun. It was believed that if the entire village walked around the field in a cross pattern, the snow in the fields would melt faster, and future crops would be protected from natural disasters.
To protect against evil spirits that roamed the earth on Eutropius Day, the sign of the cross was used — it was made over windows, doors, gates, and the oven.
There are sayings dedicated to Eutropius that are known to all: “Eutropius hastens the path and melts the snow,” “Basiliscus-Eutropius melts the snow.” On this day, other proverbs related to the sun were also recalled: “When the sun has set, do not throw trash in the street — you will throw away your luck”; “After sunset, do not lend bread and money.”
What to Do on Eutropius Day
This is not an instruction for action, but just a small sketch of the life of our ancestors. In the evening, on the eve of Eutropius Day, they would lower a silver object into clean water. In the morning, they would wash their faces with this water.
According to signs, such water helps preserve youth. It makes girls more beautiful and allows women to avoid wrinkles.
Eutropius Day: Folk Signs
The main signs of Eutropius Day are related to weather conditions. People knew: if the sun sets behind the clouds, there will be no good weather the next day, and a cold snap will follow.
Some hints can come from birds. For example, if starlings arrive on Eutropius Day, it heralds a bountiful summer. If crows are “bathing” in the snow, a thaw will soon come. If suddenly a rooster starts to crow loudly, expect changes in the weather.
Eutropius Day: What Not to Do
The prohibitions of Eutropius Day are related to mystical beliefs. During this time, people tried to spend more time indoors and did not go out after dark. It was believed that dark forces could be lurking and bring a lot of trouble.
If it was necessary to leave the house, they would do so backward. They would also return in the same manner. On Eutropius Day, it was forbidden to:
Curse and get angry — it leads to family problems.
Slaughter livestock — it leads to diseases and livestock deaths.
Lend money in the afternoon — one can spend the whole year in debt.
Take out the trash after sunset — one can throw away luck and well-being.
On Eutropius Day, the elders forbade taking sharp objects in hand to avoid injury. It was believed that evil spirits could enter through wounds.
