On March 22, Orthodox churches remember the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste who suffered for their faith in Jesus Christ. In the folk calendar, this day is called Forty Forties or Soroky.
On March 22, Orthodox churches commemorate the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste, who were Christian warriors of the 4th century. These warriors were from Cappadocia, now located in Turkey. They were arrested for their faith during the reign of Constantine the Great, who issued an edict allowing freedom of religion and equating the rights of pagans and Christians.
However, his co-ruler Licinius, a fervent idolater, decided to eradicate Christianity in his part of the empire. Preparing for war against Constantine, he purged the army of followers of Orthodoxy.
Among the first victims were forty warriors who refused to offer sacrifices to pagan idols and were imprisoned.
In the prison dungeons, they endured numerous trials. They were subjected to beatings, torture, and freezing temperatures, but the spirit of these brave Christian warriors could not be broken. Eventually, the pagans burned them at the stake.
Folk Calendar: Forty Forties
The holiday dedicated to the forty brave Christian warriors is known as Forty Forties or Soroky. It has another name — the Day of the Lark. This is related to the fact that larks — singing birds symbolizing the arrival of spring — returned from their wintering grounds on the eve of March 22 (March 9 in the old style).
People considered them God's birds, as according to legends, they came to earth from paradise. Larks were associated with spring, and the day of their return was considered the second day of spring. The first day is celebrated on Candlemas, and the third on Annunciation (this year it will be on April 7).
Forty Forties: What Needs to Be Done
The folk holiday of Forty Forties was considered one of the most significant. The arrival of spring was associated not only with the beginning of a new season but also with hope for a change in fate for the better.
The celebration of Forty Forties began with prayers in the church. People asked the forty Martyrs of Sebaste for help in strengthening their faith and gaining strength to overcome difficulties. It was believed that they helped the sick and those facing everyday hardships.
To attract money and luck into the home, housewives used brooms, pretending to sweep garbage from the threshold into the room.
In ancient times, special cookies in the shape of larks were baked for Forty Forties. This was also done the day before, during the celebration of Palm Sunday. However, for Forty Forties, it was customary to bake exactly forty cookies — in honor of the martyred Christian warriors. The blessed cookies were distributed to relatives, neighbors, and the poor.
Children especially rejoiced at the bird-shaped cookies. They climbed onto roofs and shouted loudly: “The larks have arrived, they have settled on the children's heads.” By tying the cookies to poles, the kids called for the birds to come quickly and bring spring on their wings. Then they crumbled the cookies and scattered them in different directions.
Forty Forties: Folk Signs
Welcoming spring, ancestors said, “On Soroky, day is measured against night, winter ends, and spring begins.” The number forty was considered sacred, and everything associated with it was shrouded in mysteries and enigmas.
People knew: if it is warm outside on Forty Forties, there will be forty warm days ahead. If it is cold, then the next forty days will be the same. If larks arrive on March 22, a thaw will soon come.
If snowfinches appear, it indicates cold weather. It was believed that if there is snow on the roofs of houses, the ground will be covered with snow on Annunciation. If the day is windy, it foretold a rainy summer.
Forty Forties: What Not to Do
Since the holiday of Forty Forties coincides with Great Lent, the same prohibitions apply. On this day, it is forbidden to:
Curse, use foul language, offend children and the elderly — this leads to illness.
Do general cleaning, especially mopping the floors — it was believed that wet floors symbolize tears.
Lend money — it will be difficult and reluctant to get it back.
Engage in handicrafts: sewing, knitting, embroidering — you might “stitch” your luck away.
On Forty Forties, it was forbidden for unmarried girls to wear shiny beads. Elders said that the magpies would take the beads for themselves, along with the suitors. Therefore, girls would hardly find a husband this year, except for boys who are of no interest to anyone.
Ancestors knew: on the day of Forty Forties, one should not harm birds. If this is intentionally “forgotten,” dark forces may enter the home, bringing much evil.
