24 квітня 2026 року: Провідна п’ятниця, заборони і прикмети
The Orthodox feast day on 24 April is popularly known as Ovsiya. On this day, church and folk traditions come together, centred on remembrance, prayer, faith in the intercession of the Mother of God, and observations of the weather.
On 24 April, Ukraine celebrates the day of remembrance of the Molchensk Icon of the Mother of God according to the new church calendar. This is the main shrine of the Molchensk Convent in Putivl and one of the most revered icons in north-eastern Ukraine. According to the old calendar, it is honoured on 7 May.
According to legend, the image appeared in 1405 on the Molcha marsh. Monks from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra had previously taken refuge there. A local beekeeper saw the shining icon and heard a voice commanding him to build a church on that spot.
Afterwards, priests and locals came to the site, held a prayer service, and some people were healed. First, a chapel was built there, then a church, and later a monastery was established.
Later, the monastery was destroyed, and the icon itself was lost in a fire. However, an 18th-century copy of it has survived, which is also venerated as miraculous.
In the 20th century, the icon was thought to have been lost, but it was later found again. Beneath one of the icons, the Molchensky image was discovered, which was later returned to the restored monastery. Today, the relic is kept in the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God and is known for its healing powers.
According to the new church calendar, 24 April also commemorates the martyr Sava Stratilates and 70 other soldiers, the Venerable Sava of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, the Venerable Alexius, the hermit of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, the martyrs Pasikrat and Valentine, the martyrs Eusebius, Neon and others, the Venerable Thomas the Fool-for-Christ, as well as Elizabeth the Wonderworker.
The fifth day of the Week of the Holy Spirit, or Memorial Week, or Thomas Week, is called Thomas Friday or the Day of the Holy Spirit. According to church tradition, on this day, as on other days of the week, it is customary to pray for the dead, visit cemeteries, tend graves and give alms.
According to the old church calendar, 24 April commemorates Antipas, Bishop of Pergamon in Asia.
On this day, believers go to church, pray for deceased loved ones and submit notes for the repose of their souls. On this holy day, they ask for health, protection from illness and a good harvest. Saint Savvas the Stratilates is also venerated as the patron saint of soldiers.
On Good Friday, according to folk beliefs, the souls of deceased relatives are ‘seen off’ after they have visited the earth at Easter. In ancient times, this day involved special rituals.
Our ancestors made a scarecrow from dry branches and burned it, gathering around the bonfire. It was believed that such a ritual helped ward off evil spirits and protect the future harvest from misfortune. It was also believed that fire purifies and opens the way to prosperity and a bountiful harvest.
Ovsy’s Day was associated with Prolitia – the transition from spring to summer. It was commonly believed that at this time nature finally awakens, and farm work, particularly sowing, comes to the fore.
Oats were given special significance on this day. They were used to make porridge, pancakes and baked goods – for abundance and a bountiful harvest.
On this church holiday, 24 April, it is advised to avoid quarrels, swearing, greed, envy, laziness, overeating and excessive alcohol consumption.
According to folk beliefs, one should not start new ventures on this day, as they may not bear fruit. It is also advised not to lend or transfer money, so as not to invite poverty.
Refusing to help others was viewed particularly harshly. It was believed that by doing so, a person could ‘shut the door’ on their own prosperity.
It is also advised not to grieve, cry or give in to melancholy, as such a state of mind may linger for a long time. Quarrels with loved ones, jealousy, gossip and anger are forbidden.
Ovsy’s Day was considered “not for guests”. According to tradition, it was inadvisable both to visit others and to receive uninvited visitors.
People observed the weather on 24 April to predict what June would be like and how the coming harvest would turn out. If the day was hot, June would be cool. A large number of mosquitoes foretold a bountiful oat harvest.
Rain on this day was considered a sign of a good rye harvest. If the bird cherry blossomed, a cold spell was expected. The appearance of morels meant that the year could be a good one for crops.
It was also said that after Ovsiy’s Day, there could still be up to 12 night-time frosts.
As reported by ThePublic, Ukrainian actress Olga Sumska publicly congratulated her older sister Natalia Sumska on her birthday, with whom, in her own words, she has long been in conflict. To mark the occasion, she posted a rare archive photo and addressed her sister briefly on Instagram.
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