Ivan the Baptist Day
March 9, Saturday
History and religious significance
John the Baptist is one of the most revered saints in Christianity. He was foretold in the Old Testament as "a voice crying in the wilderness" and became the last prophet to precede Jesus Christ. John baptized Christ in the waters of the Jordan and was executed by order of King Herod. His head was lost and then found, which is celebrated on March 9.
The Finding of the Head of John the Baptist is an important event in the Christian tradition. It symbolizes the victory over evil and a reminder of John's courage, faith, and devotion to preaching the truth.
Folk customs and traditions
In Russian folk culture, Ivanov Day is associated with rituals designed to protect the home and family from evil, illness and misfortune. Some of the traditions of this day:
Purification ritual. People performed rituals to cleanse the house, burning old things and reading prayers. It was believed that this helps to get rid of negative energy.
Fortune-telling and predictions. On Ivanov Day, fortune-telling was done for the future, especially by girls who wanted to know about their betrothed.
Sowing work. In some regions, March 9 began preparations for the sowing season, turning to John the Baptist for a blessing and a good harvest.