On April 14, Orthodox churches commemorate St. Mary of Egypt, who lived in the 5th century. In the folk calendar, this day is called Mary Empty Cabbage Soup. It was previously considered a women's holiday, so signs of attention to ladies were mandatory. During this time, our ancestors cleansed the house of damage and prepared soup based on nettles.
On April 14, Orthodox Christians commemorate the memory of St. Mary of Egypt, who lived in the 5th century during the period of paganism and the struggle against the followers of the Orthodox faith.
Little is known about Mary of Egypt. According to historical sources, she was born into a pious family but did not find peace in her native home. At the age of 12, she decided that she needed to leave for Alexandria.
Leaving her parents, she set off to distant lands, where she soon became a harlot. The life that fully satisfied the young girl flowed its course. However, one day an event occurred that changed her fate.
One day, along with pilgrims, she tried to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre but could not step over the threshold. An invisible force prevented her from doing so. Mary knelt before the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was in the narthex, and began to pray. Feeling relief, she approached the church again.
A miracle happened: she was able to enter the church, where she began to read prayers once more. Soon after that, she was baptized and went to live in the desert. In solitude, prayers for repentance, and fasting, Mary of Egypt spent 47 years. She passed away with a smile on her lips and a prayer directed to God.
Folk Calendar: Mary Empty Cabbage Soup
The holiday dedicated to St. Mary of Egypt had different names depending on the region. In some places, it was called Mary Empty Cabbage Soup, in others — Mary the Prolific, Mary’s Day, Light the Fire, Awakening of the Domovoi.
The name “Empty Cabbage Soup” is not accidental. At this time, peasants ran out of cabbage supplies, and they had to forget about thick cabbage soup, which was one of their favorite dishes. “Did you want sour cabbage soup in April!” they joked about this.
But hunger is no joke, and one cannot be fed by jokes alone. Nettle and wild sorrel became substitutes for vegetables, which appeared everywhere as soon as the snow melted. They were added to the soup, which was called “empty cabbage soup.” “Cabbage soup — you can even wash rags in it,” our ancestors said.
It was believed that on April 14 (April 1 by the old style) the domovoi awakens, so it was necessary to joke a lot and tease each other. In villages, this custom was not widespread, while in cities it was popular, especially among unmarried girls. They believed that the more people they could deceive on Mary Empty Cabbage Soup day, the easier it would be to manipulate their husbands, leading them by the nose.
Mary Empty Cabbage Soup: What Needs to Be Done
St. Mary of Egypt was considered the protector of repentant women. Therefore, the folk holiday was dedicated to women to some extent, protecting and indulging them.
Pious Christians began the morning with a church service. Lighting candles, people asked for protection from St. Mary of Egypt. It was believed that she helps strengthen family bonds, find happiness, and peace. It was customary to make 12 bows before her icon.
Returning home, women remembered folk traditions, which did not always coincide with church ones. However, this did not prevent them from conducting rituals aimed at protection from the evil eye and damage.
At noon, housewives would drive everyone out of the house, stand by the stove, and stroke themselves on the backside. Then, with the same hand, they would wipe their face. It was believed that this simple ritual would help protect the family from troubles related to dark forces.
Mary Empty Cabbage Soup: Folk Omens
Wise elders claimed that Mary Empty Cabbage Soup could predict what the summer would be like. If on April 1 (by the old style) streams began to run along the edges of the forest, it meant that the meadows would soon be covered with lush vegetation, and the harvest would be abundant. If, however, instead of streams, the edges were covered with ice jams, then nothing good could be expected.
There was a belief: if by the holiday Mary Empty Cabbage Soup there was still ice on the rivers, the year would be hard. If a rare and short thunder was heard — warm weather and sunshine should be expected in the coming days. If the rumble of thunder resembles the roar of animals — it is a sign of bad weather. If at night the stars are not visible in the sky — it is a sign of warming. The same is indicated by ducks and geese returning from warm lands ahead of schedule. And also: if it rains, there will be many mushrooms in the summer.
Mary Empty Cabbage Soup: What Not to Do
The folk holiday dedicated to St. Mary of Egypt has its own prohibitions. One of them concerns food. On Mary Empty Cabbage Soup day, it was essential to cook soup with nettles or sorrel, but it was forbidden to prepare baked goods. Our ancestors believed that this could harm health, and recovery would take a long time. During this time, it was also not recommended to:
Over-salt food — it leads to burning and salty tears.
Part with loved ones, even for a short time — parting may lead to a breakup.
Leave the domovoi without treats and gifts — it leads to problems in the family.
On Mary Empty Cabbage Soup day, people carefully monitored the order in the house, starting from the threshold. They were afraid to forget to tidy up the front door and handles. They knew: if dirt remained on them, luck and wealth would pass by such a house.
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