What church holiday is celebrated on March 26 according to the new and old styles, what not to do, signs of the day.

On March 26, according to the new church calendar, Orthodox believers celebrate the feast of the Council of the Archangel Gabriel. In the folk calendar – Gabriel Blagovest. We talk about the prohibitions and signs of the day that are celebrated in the church on March 26 according to the old style in the material.

March 26, 2024 – what church holiday is today according to the new and old calendar

March 26, new style (April 8, old style) – Cathedral of the Archangel Gabriel, established in honor of gratitude to the heavenly messenger who informed the Virgin Mary of the birth of the Savior of mankind.

The scriptures say that the Archangel Gabriel was chosen by God to bring the good news to the Mother of God. The archangel also guarded the Mother of God during her earthly life. He informed Joseph the Betrothed about the secret of the incarnation of Jesus Christ, and later warned about the treachery of Herod and suggested fleeing to Egypt with the Child and the Virgin Mary.

Holiday March 26th according to the old style – day of remembrance of St. Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople.

What do the signs say for March 26?

In the folk calendar, March 26 is the holiday of Gabriel Blagovest. The weather and harvest are judged by the signs of the day:

• if there is frost on this day, there will be a harvest of spring bread;
• the weather is clear and warm – for a fruit harvest;
• the willow has bloomed – it’s time to set up the apiary;
• there are many “earrings” on the willow – the year will be fruitful and rich.

People also notice that if the bird cherry tree has turned green, then you can plant early potatoes.

What can you do on March 26

Archangel Gabriel is asked for help in healing from diseases, protection for livestock, pets and bees. The saint protects hunters from attacks by predatory animals, and fishermen from misfortunes on the water.

People believe that on this day the archangel descends from heaven to fulfill people’s desires, so you must pray to the saint.

What not to do on March 26

Among the prohibitions, what you cannot do today is to quarrel, be offended, get angry, use foul language, offend someone, refuse help. Lent 2024 continues; those who fast are entitled to dry food on this day.

Spring field work traditionally begins with Gabriel Blagovest, so in the old days spinning was already prohibited from this day.

March 26 – name day today

Name days today according to the church calendar are celebrated by Alla, Anna, Vasily, Gabriel, Larisa, Praskovya, Stepan.

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