Kirill Katanik: What to Do on April 3 to Avoid Troubles 0 9

On April 3, Orthodox churches commemorate Bishop Kirill of Katana, who lived in Sicily in the 1st-2nd centuries. Saint Kirill, being a disciple of the Apostle Peter, was a pious and wise Christian who cared for Orthodoxy. The Almighty endowed him with the gift of miracles, which he used to help people.

Folk Calendar: Kirill of Katana

The holiday dedicated to Bishop Kirill of Katana is known as Kirill Katanik or Kirill's Day. The second name needs no explanation, as it is obvious. However, the first 'name' requires clarification.

The fact is that April 3 (March 21 in the old style) was considered by our ancestors the last day for sledding. After this, sleds were to be cleaned, dried, and put away until the next winter. To soothe children who did not want to part with winter fun, parents would say: “Cry or don’t cry, Katanik has taken the sleds away.”

To distract the kids, they were offered new games suitable for springtime. For example, the game “in the pitcher.” The rules of this fun were simple, and representatives of the older generation who grew up in Soviet times surely remember them.

One of the players would take a ball and start bouncing it on the floor or ground, saying: “I dropped the pitcher and broke it on the floor; one-two-three, catch it, Petenka (or Vasenka, or Kolenka, etc.)!” The one whose name was called had to catch the ball and continue the game.

Kirill Katanik: What Can Be Done

On Kirill's Day, it was customary to change felt boots for more suitable footwear. In cities, people wore boots and shoes, while in villages, they wore bast shoes. However, since this footwear was light and not always suitable for the changeable spring weather, peasants considered it necessary to 'make' protection against illnesses.

For this, they used hot stove ash and coal, wrapping them in a scarf and applying them to the sick places. In some regions, there were other ways of 'preventing' and 'treating' colds. For example, the sick were treated with the water in which clothes were washed. There was also a method where the sick person was offered to kiss a cow, believing that the animal would share its strength and the illness would recede.

Beliefs Associated with Water Spirits

Our ancestors believed that on Kirill's Day, water spirits awaken – spirits that inhabit bodies of water and pools, considered their masters. Water spirits were depicted as ancient old men with bulging eyes and fish tails. Signs of the spirits included red shirts, thick beards, and green mustaches. It was believed that they were covered in slime and emitted the smell of swamps.

Due to fears of angering the evil spirits, people avoided disturbing the water on Kirill's Day. They did not wash laundry, did not throw stones into rivers, and avoided approaching open bodies of water. People knew that if they angered a water spirit, they could bring upon themselves many misfortunes.

Kirill Katanik: Folk Signs

Our ancestors, who closely observed the weather, knew: if coltsfoot blooms on Kirill's Day, it indicates warming. If yellow rays are visible at sunrise, it foretells good weather. If there is a lot of birch sap in the forest, the summer will be rainy. If on Kirill's Day birds bathe in puddles, the weather in the coming days will be sunny and warm.

Kirill Katanik: What Not to Do

One of the signs of Kirill's Day is related to the sky and stars. At this time, our ancestors were afraid to look up. This fear was caused by beliefs associated with falling stars. Seeing such a star on Kirill's Day was considered a bad omen, foreshadowing the death of a loved one. On this day, the elders forbade:

Quarreling, provoking scandals – this will worsen relationships for many years.
Washing laundry – leads to illnesses and misfortunes.
Lying on a clean cover – you will have to forget about peaceful sleep for a long time.