What is the church holiday on 30 March 2026: what should not be done today
30 March in the Orthodox calendar is the day of remembrance of Saint John Climacus. He lived from around 579 to 649 and is known as one of the most eminent spiritual mentors of the early Christian tradition.
Saint John Climacus is the author of *The Ladder* – a treatise on man’s spiritual ascent to God. His name is associated with profound ascetic practice, wisdom and teachings on the inner spiritual life.
It is said that John was born in an Egyptian province to a family of devout Christians. Even in his youth, he felt a calling to the monastic life. At first, he lived in a cell, devoting his time to prayer, reading the Holy Scriptures and strict asceticism. Over time, his spiritual discipline and wisdom attracted disciples, and he became a mentor to other monks.
Saint John was renowned for his ability to penetrate deeply into the spiritual nature of man. His advice and guidance concerned the inner struggle against sin, the cultivation of virtues, and the pursuit of direct communion with God.
John Climacus’s most famous work is *The Ladder*, or *The Ladder of Divine Ascent*, written around the year 600. In this treatise, he describes the spiritual life as an ascent up a ladder, where each step symbolises a particular stage in the struggle against passions and the approach to perfection.
What not to do on 30 March and what the omens are
People also paid attention to weather omens on 30 March. If the sky is shrouded in fog in the morning, the year may be wet and rainy. If there is thunder on this day, it was interpreted as a sign of a rainy summer. If the snow melts very quickly, the summer may also be rainy and cold.
On this day, people were traditionally advised to be careful in their affairs and appearance. According to folk beliefs, one should not wear black clothes, as this could attract trouble.
It was also not recommended to undertake heavy physical work, sewing or knitting. Instead, it was advised to devote the day to rest and spiritual reflection.
A special custom on 30 March was the baking of biscuits shaped like a staircase. According to folk beliefs, such biscuits symbolised the soul’s journey from earthly life to God’s throne.
The number of ‘steps’ traditionally corresponded to the number of family members, and eating such biscuits was considered a talisman for good health throughout the year. They were also often given out as alms, offering spiritual and physical support to neighbours.
