Remembering the Martyrs on November 3
Today, Orthodox Ukrainians commemorate the martyrs Akepsim, Aifal, and Yosif, as well as the restoration of the Church of the Great Martyr George in Lydia.
A Glorious History of Sacrifice
Let me take you back—to a time when saints were made by sharp swords and sharper tongues! Enter stage left, Akepsim, the 80-year-old bishop of Neson, Persia. This chap certainly put the ‘pro’ in ‘protection of the Christian faith’, tirelessly defending it with the vigor of a hundred enthusiastic Sunday school teachers! Imagine a wizened old man with a fire in his belly, and you’ve got Akepsim down to a T.
Joining him in this divine drama are Deacon Aifal and Presbyter Yosif. Talk about a trio! If they were a band, they’d be called ‘The Holy Trio’—and their first album would be “Tormented Faith.” However, plot twist! Tsar Sapor had other ideas and was not a fan of their music. This cruel ruler insisted on a different tune—one that concluded with the crashing of swords. These devout gentlemen faced persecution like no other. Refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods, they were honored with a little prison party. Spoiler alert: it lasted three years, and they didn’t make it out for the snacks. Talk about a rough gig!
The Legacy of the Great Martyr George
Now, who doesn’t love a good George story? Enter the Great Martyr George, born into wealth—because let’s face it, nothing screams ‘I’ll martyr myself for justice’ like a nice comfy upbringing. This guy might as well have had “Christian” tattooed on his forehead, as he chose military service, probably thinking it would be a walk in the park.
In swoops Emperor Diocletian, a man whose idea of a good time involved persecuting Christians. When George was outed, he quickly switched gears from soldier to martyr and found himself on the wrong end of the executioner’s sword. They say he was buried in Lydda, where a shiny new temple was built. It became a hot spot for faithful followers—so basically, a church where the WiFi is always strong.
Prohibitions of November 3
Now, let’s get down to brass tacks: what can you not do today? Take note, my friends, November 3 is governed by some serious do’s and don’ts to keep your fortune intact. Apparently, our ancestors were quite superstitious—who would’ve thought? Here’s the hefty list of prohibitions:
- Letting strangers into your abode—talk about an awkward week ahead if you do!
- Traveling isn’t recommended—because who wants a meal that goes as badly as a dodgy restaurant review?
- Picking stuff off the ground—how very ‘primitive’ of you! You might just be asking for an evil eye.
- Complaining or being sad—no one wants to hear about your problems. Besides, it’ll only make things worse.
- Avoid crowded places, as luck might just kiss someone else instead!
Signs and Signals of November 3
And for those of you with a keen eye for nature’s signals—get ready for some seasonal observations! You see, the weather on this day has more significance than a celebrity’s Twitter rant. If the clouds are low, someone call the weatherman—frost is probably on the way. And if you see frost this evening? Get your sunscreen ready—looks like winter will be a cozy one!
- Low clouds? Brace yourselves; frost may soon follow.
- Frost tonight means a warm winter? Sign me up!
- Frosty mornings usually promise heavy snow—better stock up on those marshmallows!
- Seen snow but still have leaves? Next year might spell ‘harvest disaster’—it’s like nature’s cruel joke!
Happy Angel’s Day to All!
And a shout-out to everyone born on November 3—you share this day with some illustrious company! If you’re one of these names: Oleksandr, Bohdan, Hanna, Vasyl, Sergey, Ivan, Mykola, Ilya, Joseph, George, Volodymyr, Peter, Svitlana, Pavlo, Semen, then today is a party for you!
Oh, and don’t forget our friends celebrating in the old style: Anatoly, Oleksiy, George, Vasyl, Konstantin, Volodymyr, Dmytro, Mykola, Ivan, Zakhar, Fedir, Sergey, Oleksandr, Yakiv. You lot deserve cake—lots of it!
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, folks, November 3 is not just another date on the calendar. It’s a rich tapestry of history, tradition, and a dash of cheeky superstition. Let’s raise our glasses to the martyrs, the marketers of fate, and to everyone getting their name on the birthday list today! Remember: honor the past, live in the present, and may your future be bright—just as long as you heed those prohibitions!
Today, Orthodox Ukrainians honor the memory of the martyrs Akepsim the bishop, AIfal the deacon and Yosif the presbyter. In addition, November 3 is the day of renewal of the church of the Great Martyr George in Lydia.
RBC-Ukraine (Styler project) tells about the holiday on November 3, as well as the main prohibitions of this day.
History of the church holiday
80-year-old Akepsin was the adored bishop of the Christian church in Neson, a Persian city. According to legends, the bishop worked tirelessly and fervently defended the Christian faith.
Deacon Aifal and presbyter Yosif were no less devoted to religion. However, Tsar Sapor, who ruled at that time, persecuted Christians and ordered the clergy to be executed.
By order of the ruler, Akepsim, Joseph and Aifal were captured and brought to Arbela. For refusing to sacrifice to other gods, the bishop, deacon and presbyter were beaten and thrown into prison, where they starved to death for three years.
After that, Safor again ordered the saints to honor the pagan gods, but the martyrs refused – for which the angry king ordered them to be executed. According to legends, a tree later grew on the deacon’s grave, the fruit of which could be cured by eating.
Why is the great martyr George honored
The Great Martyr George was born into a wealthy family, which instilled the Christian faith in the young man. George chose military service and was later set up as an example by Emperor Diocletian – a fanatical and cruel hater of Christians.
Parubok kept his faith a secret until he heard the verdict of one of the believers – then George was also executed after torture. The Great Martyr was buried in Lydda, in Israel, and a temple was built over the relics.
Several times the temple was destroyed on the orders of pagan kings, but eventually the temple was restored and began to hold services.
What can’t be done today
In order not to lose happiness, the ancestors tried to observe certain prohibitions on this day. In particular, November 3 is not possible:
- Let strangers into the house – together with them will come quarrels for the whole next week.
- To travel – a meal can be extremely unsuccessful
- Picking things up from the ground and bringing them home – there may be an evil eye on them
- To be sad and complain about fate – things can get worse
- To be in crowded places – the ancestors believed that on this day someone can more easily get lucky
What are the main traditions and signs
- If the clouds hang low today, frost will come soon
- Frost in the evening of November 3 – the winter will be warm
- If it is frosty in the morning today, there will be a lot of snow in the winter
- If snow has already appeared, but there are still leaves on the trees – next year the harvest will be worse
Who has an angel’s day today?
In a new style People with the following names celebrate their birthdays on November 3: Oleksandr, Bohdan, Hanna, Vasyl, Sergey, Ivan, Mykola, Ilya, Joseph, George, Volodymyr, Peter, Svitlana, Pavlo, Semen.
In addition, in the old style Angel Day is celebrated: Anatoly, Oleksiy, George, Vasyl, Konstantin, Volodymyr, Dmytro, Mykola, Ivan, Zakhar, Fedir, Sergey, Oleksandr, Yakiv.
Orthodox calendar today
**Interview: Commemorating the Martyrs on November 3rd**
*Host:* Welcome to our program! Today, we’re discussing an important observance in the Orthodox calendar—November 3rd, a day to honor Holy Martyrs Akepsim, Aifal, and Yosif, as well as the Great Martyr George. To share insights about this significant day, we have with us Father Serhii, a local Orthodox priest with a passion for church history. Welcome, Father Serhii!
*Father Serhii:* Thank you for having me!
*Host:* Let’s dive right into it. November 3rd commemorates three central figures of the Christian faith. Can you tell us about their stories and why they are significant?
*Father Serhii:* Absolutely! Akepsim, an 80-year-old bishop from Neson in Persia, exemplifies unwavering faith. He, along with Deacon Aifal and Presbyter Yosif, faced intense persecution from Tsar Sapor. Their bravery in refusing to sacrifice to pagan gods is a profound testament to their dedication to Christ, leading to their imprisonment and ultimately martyrdom.
*Host:* It’s truly a story of sacrifice and resilience. And what about the Great Martyr George? His legacy is also celebrated on this day, correct?
*Father Serhii:* Yes, indeed! Saint George is celebrated for his valor and commitment to Christianity, even in the face of persecution under Emperor Diocletian. His story showcases the struggle of a soldier turned martyr, which resonates deeply with many believers, encouraging them to stand steadfast in their faith.
*Host:* It’s fascinating how these stories intertwine with deep-rooted beliefs. Besides remembering these saints, are there any traditions or prohibitions that the faithful observe on this day?
*Father Serhii:* There are! November 3rd is marked by several prohibitions rooted in superstition, ensuring that individuals maintain good fortune. For example, you should avoid letting strangers into your home, traveling, or even complaining. It’s viewed as a day to protect oneself from bad luck while honoring the martyrs.
*Host:* Interesting! Also, there are some weather-related interpretations tied to this day, I believe?
*Father Serhii:* Yes, traditional beliefs hold that the weather on this day can be predictive. For instance, low clouds might indicate upcoming frost, and if frost appears, it may signal a milder winter ahead. People closely observe nature for these signs.
*Host:* What a mix of faith, history, and nature! Lastly, can you share how both Orthodox and traditional Ukrainians celebrate on November 3rd?
*Father Serhii:* Certainly! Many people attend church services in remembrance of the martyrs, sharing prayers and songs. Additionally, it’s a day of celebration for those named after these saints, with feasting and gatherings. It’s a rich blend of honoring the past while enjoying the present!
*Host:* Thank you, Father Serhii, for shedding light on this significant day. Remembering the martyrs and their stories continues to inspire many.
*Father Serhii:* It was my pleasure! Thank you for having me.
*Host:* And to our audience, we hope this interview inspires you to reflect on the values of faith, sacrifice, and community as we commemorate this day. Until next time!