What church holiday is celebrated on March 20 according to the new and old styles, what not to do, signs of the day.

On March 20, according to the new church calendar, Orthodox believers remember the martyr Photina (Svetlana) Samaritan of Rome. In the folk calendar – Fotinya the Well. We talk about the prohibitions and signs of the day that are celebrated in the church on March 20 according to the old style in the material.

March 20, 2024 – what church holiday is today according to the new and old calendar

March 20 according to the new style (April 2 – according to the old style) is the day of remembrance of the martyr Photina the Samaritan, who gave Jesus water from the well to drink.

Fotina (Svetlana) was born and lived in Samaria (now a historical region of Israel). The Gospel says about her that she was the woman to whom Jesus turned and asked for water from Jacob’s well. When he saw her confusion – the Jews preferred not to communicate with the Samaritans, he said to her: “He who drinks this water will thirst again, and whoever drinks the water that I give him will never thirst; but the water that I will give him It will become in him a fountain of water springing up into eternal life.”

After this, Christ had a conversation with the woman: Jesus told the woman that he was the Messiah. Photina returned to the village and said that she had met Jesus and believed in him. After this, she began to preach the good news. Her sons also became Christians and, even while in high positions, spread the faith.

When the persecution of Christians began, Fotina’s family was arrested and taken to Rome, where they were first tortured and then executed. Before death, through the prayers of the saints, many miracles occurred, which led many to faith.

Holiday March 20th according to the old style – day of remembrance of the holy martyrs who served as bishops in Chersonesos: Vasily, Ephraim, Captain, Eugene and others.

What do the signs for March 20 say?

In the folk calendar, March 20 is the holiday of Fotinya the Well. The signs of this day speak about the weather:

• it’s raining – there will be a lot of mushrooms in the fall;
• starry sky – warmth will not come soon;
• clouds are moving against the wind – expect rapid precipitation;
• a lot of melt water – there will be a lot of grass in May.

Also on this day we observed birds: if they build nests on the sunny side, then the summer is most likely to be cold.

What can you do on March 20

In our country, Saint Photinia is revered as Saint Svetlana. She is the patroness of women’s happiness and marriage; they pray to her for the healing of various ailments, strengthening faith and fortitude in difficult moments of life, and protection from bad thoughts. Photinia is also the intercessor of girls named Svetlana.

On March 20, people especially revere well water – it is believed that on this day it becomes healing. You need to wash and drink fresh water from the well to stay healthy, and also sprinkle your house to get rid of illnesses and attract good luck.

What not to do on March 20

Among the prohibitions, what you cannot do today is to quarrel, gossip, brag, envy, condemn, refuse help, and be despondent. Lent 2024 continues; those who fast are entitled to dry food on this day.

Popular superstitions advise not to cook today with yesterday’s water – it will drain your strength, it’s better to get fresh water.

March 20 – name day today

Name days today according to the church calendar are celebrated by Alexandra, Vasily, Victor, Vissarion, German, Ivan, Claudia, Maxim, Maria, Miron, Nikita, Praskovya, Svetlana, Sevastyan, Sergei, Ulyana.

Previously, we published the Orthodox calendar for March 2024 with holidays in the new and old styles.