The second day of May is the time of memory of Ivan the warrior, who was famous for his ability to quickly find and punish a thief. They pray to this saint for salvation from adversity. According to popular belief, if on May 2 a person has lost something, he can go to church and order a prayer service to Ivan Voin. Thus, the victim will receive insight, understand who committed the theft. This day is also distinguished by the opportunity to observe the first May thunderstorms, by which the old-timers determined the wheat yield.
What to expect in the near future
On May 2, folk omens predict the weather:
- The sun is hot – the end of May promises to be cold.
- Golden dawn in the evening in the absence of wind – it will be warm and sunny.
- Rapid movement of clouds – portends clear weather without rain.
- Cloudy and rainy second day of May – portends June with poor rainfall.
- The hares did not change their fur coat until the second day of May – a harbinger of cold weather.
- Ducks build nests near the water – a dry summer is coming.
- Waterfowl make their nests far from the water – the summer will be rainy.
People's sign of the day: who divorces on May 2, the next 3 years will not fall under the aisle
Customs
On the second day of May, the church commemorates the Monk John the Old Cave (Paleolavritus), who lived at the transition of the 8th and 9th centuries. The saint became famous for his asceticism and special piety. On the icons, the Old Cave is depicted as a gray-haired old man with a forked beard, who holds a scroll in his hand. On May 2, in front of the face of John the Old Cave, candles were lit with a prayer of thanks in case of the successful sale of the canvases on that day. And they also prayed for the protection of their relatives and loved ones from troubles and misfortunes.
The Slavs had an ancient tradition of 'dressing Spring in a novina'. People carried fabrics and clothes outside and laid them on the branches of bushes and young grass. There was a belief that the power of fresh greenery and spring water would be transferred to things, and solar energy through the fabric would heal the family. After airing and warming up with the sun's rays, artisans rolled the canvases into tubes ('novines') and carried them to the fair to sell.
In addition, it was customary to 'feed' the spring with delicious cakes so that the harvest of flax and hemp was rich. For this, the women carried a fresh canvas into an open field and spread it on the ground. A specially baked pie with cabbage, meat or sweet filling was placed on the fabric. Then they bowed to 4 sides, turning to the east, saying: 'Here you are, Mother Spring, a new novelty', prayed for a good harvest. According to superstition, Spring, dressed in new clothes, will thank you with abundance for the treat.
← May 1
→ May 3
