Church holiday on 26 May 2026: key prohibitions and traditions of the day
On 26 May, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, following the New Julian calendar, commemorates the Apostles of the Seventy – Carpus and Alpheus.
Both were disciples of Jesus Christ, but little information about their lives has survived.
Alpheus was the father of the apostles James Alpheus and Matthew.
Carpus was a close associate of the Apostle Paul, accompanying him on his missionary journeys and assisting in his preaching.
According to tradition, Paul once left his books and priestly vestments with Carpus. This was seen as a sign, after which Carpus was ordained bishop of the city of Berea in Thrace.
The circumstances of Carpus’s death have not been preserved by history.
What feast day is it according to the Old Style calendar?
According to the Julian calendar, 26 May is the feast day of the holy martyr Macarius, Archimandrite of Kaniv and Ovruch.
On this day, the transfer of his relics is also commemorated.
What people pray to the Apostle Carp for
People turn to the Apostle Carp with prayers for recovery.
People also ask the saint for help in raising children and improving relationships with relatives.
In folk tradition, it was believed that Carp helps even those who have already lost hope.
Why is the day called Carp Karpolov?
Among the people, 26 May is known as Carp Day or Carp Carp-Catcher.
According to legend, on this day carp come into people’s hands of their own accord. That is why, in ancient times, men would set off fishing in the morning.
Half of the catch was traditionally given to the needy.
It was believed that generosity on Carp Day attracts good luck and money.
What to do on 26 May
On Carp Day, it was customary to invite a stove-maker to the house.
This is how our ancestors prepared for winter right at the start of the warm season.
Another custom of the day is to stand by a flowering rosehip bush and breathe in its scent.
It was believed that this would give you strength and health for the whole day.
The main prohibitions of the day
On the church holiday of 26 May, swearing, anger, envy and greed are frowned upon.
Nor should one refuse to help someone who asks for it.
In folk tradition, there were specific prohibitions on this day.
One must not sleep in or be lazy, as it was believed that one might sleep through one’s luck and good fortune.
It was not advisable to repot flowers and plants – it was believed that they would not take root.
Nor should one lend money, as Karpiv Day was considered an unlucky day for any financial matters.
Separately, it was not advisable to clean the house after sunset.
According to superstition, along with the rubbish, you could take the house spirit and good luck out of the house.
Folk omens for 26 May
The omens of Karp’s Day are mostly associated with bodies of water and their inhabitants.
If ducks are diving and splashing about, rain is on the way.
If crayfish have crawled onto the bank – bad weather is expected.
If mosquitoes are swarming – the weather will be fine.
A cuckoo in the morning foretells a heatwave.
If the rowan tree was thickly covered in blossom, a bountiful oat harvest was expected.
The most striking sign of the day concerned sorrel: if there was plenty of it in the vegetable patches and in the woods, the summer would be warm.
Name Day on 26 May
Name days on 26 May are celebrated by Oleksandr, Davyd, Karp, Heorhii, Makar, Ivan and Olena.
It was believed that those born on this day were people of their word and action. They do not rush into decisions, weighing up every step carefully, but once a decision is made, they do not back down.
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