On April 17, Orthodox churches honor the venerable Joseph the Hymnographer, who lived in the 1st century. In the folk calendar, this day is known as the day of Joseph the Hymnographer. In ancient times, people considered it their duty to thank the birds, which were perceived as protectors from evil and unclean forces. At the same time, there was a strict prohibition on the consumption of black bread, as it was believed that it could lead to poverty.
On April 17, Orthodox believers commemorate the day of Joseph the Hymnographer, who was born in 816. He was a native of Sicily and grew up in a pious Christian family, receiving a good education. At the age of 15, having decided to become a monk, Joseph went to the Monastery of Thessalonica, where he spent much time in strict fasting and prayer.
Having become a presbyter, he moved to Constantinople, where he came to the attention of the Byzantine Emperor Leo the Armenian, known for his iconoclastic views.
Realizing that he could not sway Joseph the Hymnographer to his side, the emperor ordered the monk's arrest and imprisonment. However, Joseph was soon released, although his freedom did not last long. Nevertheless, he managed to establish a monastery at the Church of Chrysostom.
His next place of confinement was not a prison, but exile in Chersonesus, from where he was rescued by Empress Theodora. The trust in Joseph the Hymnographer was so great that the empress appointed him as the skeuophylax of the patriarchal see.
Joseph the Hymnographer, who lived for about 70 years, left behind a significant legacy in the form of sacred canons. Possessing poetic talent, he created over 300 liturgical hymns, for which he was considered one of the greatest church composers. Patriarch Photius called him the "angel of God" and the "father of fathers."
Folk Calendar: Joseph the Hymnographer
The holiday dedicated to the creator of sacred canons is known by the names Joseph the Hymnographer, Alder Watching, and simply Joseph. The nickname Hymnographer is associated with the fact that on April 17 (April 4 in the old style), crickets began to sing and cranes began to call. People would go outside to worship these wonderful birds, which were considered symbols of the fight against evil and protectors from unclean forces.
Joseph the Hymnographer: What Should Be Done
The name of the holiday Alder Watching is not accidental. In Russia, wells were made from alder. Therefore, at this time, people would go to the forest to choose suitable trees for their future wells.
During this time, they began to harvest the bark of the alder, which was used for both household and medicinal purposes. It is known that it can stop bleeding and help with inflammation.
Before going to the forest, people would always visit the church. They would ask the venerable Joseph the Hymnographer for help in strengthening their spirit, make requests for healing sick relatives, and seek protection from evil forces.
Our ancestors knew that on the day of Joseph the Hymnographer, one could get rid of back pain, which often tormented people engaged in heavy agricultural work. It was believed that to do this, one should lie on the grass and turn over seven times from side to side, but only after seeing a crane in the sky.
Joseph the Hymnographer: Folk Omens
In the past, people believed that spring only comes with the return of cranes. It was said: "The first swallow is not yet spring; true spring is brought on the wings of the crane."
There was a belief that if by this time there were many "catkins" on the alder, there would be a good harvest of oats in the summer. If the alder leafed out before the birch, frequent rains were expected in the summer.
On the night of Joseph the Hymnographer, prophetic dreams are said to come true in the next 12 days. If this does not happen, it is better to forget about such dreams.
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