Born on this day
The main quality of those born on May 17 is extraordinary determination, no matter what. They, despite the opinions of others and all obstacles, clearly follow their goal to the last. Despite the fact that these people are open to meeting new people and very friendly, they are often too straightforward, which may not please others. These individuals are always honest and are used to directly saying everything they think about, without hiding anything.
Those born on May 17 should reduce their demands on themselves. And also avoid stressful situations. Often these people are concerned about pain in the neck and spine, as well as problems with the vocal cords.
Name days on May 17 are celebrated by: Maria, Anton, Ivan, Pelageya, Isaac, Kirill, Nikita, Nikolai.
Pelageya Intercessor
The folk holiday “Pelageya the Intercessor” is celebrated on May 17 (according to the old style - May 4). On this day the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the passion-bearer Pelagia of Tarsus, the virgin. Other names of the holiday: “Pelageya”, “Baklushnik Day”. Saint Pelagia in Rus' was revered as the patroness and protector of innocent girls and birds. On this day, older men, those who could no longer work in the fields, began to carve spoons and other kitchen utensils. Pelagia was born in the 3rd century in Asia Minor into a family of noble pagans. The girl was very beautiful and well educated, so Emperor Diocletian decided to marry her to his heir. However, Pelagia accepted baptism and refused to marry the emperor's adopted son. Diocletian called the girl to him, and seeing her beauty, he wanted to make her his wife. Pelagia refused the emperor, for which she paid with her life.
Among the people, Saint Pelagia (Pelageya) was considered the intercessor of innocent girls, as well as all those unjustly offended. That is why the holiday was called “Intercessor”. In addition, according to popular belief, she protects birds. Especially favors crows. He protects adults, and teaches crows to be smart. She was nicknamed “Pelageya - the crow’s protector.” Why is unknown. But they were afraid to offend the birds that day.
On this day, women turned in prayer to Saint Pelageya so that she would protect them in earthly life from oppressive men and unjust insults. It was believed that a woman should not even cook food on this day. Men had to do most of the housework and even the kitchen themselves.
In the evening on Pelageya, experienced gardeners performed a ritual that was supposed to protect the plantings from evil spirits and various pests. To do this, they took a cracked pot out into the garden, put the nettles that had been pulled out by the roots into it, and placed the pot upside down in the very middle of the middle bed. It was believed that any enemy force, touching stinging nettles, would be frightened and run away from the garden, but this would only happen if the woman did not work for Pelageya, but prayed.
Saint Pelagia's Day was also called "Baklushnik Day". On May 17, peasants specially cut down maple, birch or linden to prepare raw materials for making spoons - baklushi. The work was simple, but necessary - this is where the expression “Knock it off” comes from. Since ancient times, wooden spoons have been a symbol of prosperity and satiety. Therefore, they were often decorated with intricate paintings and carvings, and then presented as a gift - this was considered very prestigious.
On May 17 we monitored the bird cherry. So, if flowers had already appeared on it, then it was believed that it was too late to sow wheat and the harvest would not be reaped. Meanwhile, pears, apples, and cherries began to bloom in the gardens, and they tried to plant them on this very day.
Sayings and signs:
— Rainfall on Pelageya means a good harvest this year. - Dim, hazy sun - for prolonged bad weather. — If the thorn has bloomed, it means it will be cold until the end of the month. — Viburnum has bloomed flowers - it’s time to plant cucumbers, pumpkins, corn and legumes. — If cranes build nests more in lowlands, grain can also be planted in dark, damp areas. If their nests are located on the tops, it means that the crops in the lowlands will rot. - Catkins have appeared on flowering maples - you can plant beets. — Flocks of sparrows flying across the sky foreshadow windy weather. - The cuckoo is calling - the weather will be good. — A lot of cockchafers indicate an imminent drought. — Those born on May 17th are endowed with the gift of understanding animals and birds. They should wear a diamond.
Folk traditions and rituals on May 17
People call May 17 the day of Pelagia the Intercessor. It is believed that Pelageya is the protector of birds and innocent maidens. On Pelagia Day, it is strictly forbidden to offend birds, especially crows. On May 17, women shift absolutely all the work to their husbands and turn to Saint Pelageya with the following prayer:
“Temporarily despised and formerly a partaker of Heavenly blessings, having accepted the crown of suffering for the sake of it, the all-honorable Pelagie, as if you brought streams of blood as a gift to the Lord Christ. Pray to save us, who honor your memory, from troubles.”
They turned to the saint with another prayer:
“Thy lamb, Jesus, Pelagia calls with a great voice: I love You, my Bridegroom, and, seeking You, I suffer, and I am crucified, and I am buried in Your Baptism, and I suffer for Your sake, for I reign in You, and I die for You, yes and I live with You, but accept me as an immaculate sacrifice, sacrificed to You with love. By those prayers, as He is merciful, save our souls.”
Women believe that Pelageya the intercessor is able to protect those who turn to her from offenders.
In order to avoid the temptations of the devil, as well as protect yourself from evil spirits, it is common among people on the evening of May 17 to go out into the garden, break a pot there, saying the following words:
“How this pot broke by my hand, So that the tempting devil would unhook himself from me forever and ever. Key, lock, tongue. Amen. Amen. Amen."
May 17 is also popularly called the day of Baklushnikov (kitchen appliances made of wood). Traditionally, on this day people made baklushi: they went into the forest and carved kitchen utensils from linden, aspen or birch. People believed that spoons carved on this day had special properties: they could help men who had gone to war to return home, and pregnant women to give birth to a healthy child. To do this, a spoon is placed in a man’s boot, and under a pregnant woman’s pillow.
In addition, skin diseases were treated with the help of such spoons. They did it this way: they took a little cottage cheese into a spoon, applied it to the sore spot for 30 minutes and said the following words:
“Cottage cheese, save me from the nagging pain, from the rotting lump. Let him move onto a block of wood and get off my body.”
Canon of the Holy Martyr Pelageya.
May 17.
General beginning and end of the canons Troparion, kontakion, glorification of saints Akathists to the saints of God
Troparion, voice 4:
Your lamb, Jesus, Pelagia, calls with a great voice: I love You, my bridegroom, and I seek You, I suffer, and I am crucified, and I bury myself in Your baptism, and I suffer for Your sake, for I reign in You, and I die for You, and I live with You; but, as an immaculate sacrifice, accept me, sacrificed to You with love. Through prayers, for the Merciful One, save our souls.
Canon. Voice 4.
Song 1.
Irmos: Ancient Israel walked across the dark sea with wet feet, and with the cross-shaped hands of Moses defeated the power of Amalek in the desert.
Give me now the abyss of your floating miracles, spiritual coolness, O most praiseworthy martyr of Christ Pelagia, and guide me to the sweet haven of your praises.
From infancy, you wisely entrusted yourself to your Protector, honest, you rejected the corruptible, O all-glorious Pelagia, you trampled on manly passions with divine power.
Desiring the divine baths, O glorious one, to receive baptism, having found the saint of Christ, Pelagie, you flowed in and, having partaken of the divine light, you were filled with the martyr.
Theotokos: You were the most holy saints, the Pure Virgin, carrying the saints of the Holy Christ in your hand, containing with divine powers all creation.
Song 3.
Irmos: Your Church rejoices in You, O Christ, calling: You are my strength, Lord, and refuge, and confirmation.
As the earth is good, having received verbal seeds, the all-wise martyr of Christ, it brought forth richly. [Twice.]
You have come to your senses, as if you were chosen, striving for the Master and God, glorious martyr of Christ, strengthened by the divine teachings.
Theotokos: You have restored, O Pure One, my fallen image, having given birth to the Guilty One rather than the natural resurrection.
Also, sedalen, voice 1.
Having kindled the love of Christ, you courageously entered into the green fire, God-wise, Konob, Pelagie, and you were a fragrant sacrifice to your Master. Meanwhile, today, creating your all-holy memory, we sing your praises.
Song 4.
Irmos: You are exalted, having seen the Church on the Cross, the Righteous Sun, standing in your rank, worthily crying: glory to your power, Lord.
By the mistress of the scarlet robe, by the bath, most glorious, thou hast taken off all the red scarlet garments of life, O most venerable martyr Pelagia.
With the desire of heavenly beauties, even having darkened the desire on earth, the passion-bearer, you were also inspired, crying out to Christ and saying: Glory to Your power, Lord.
Having abandoned your defiled faith, you came to Christ as a wise woman, O all-glorious Pelagic Martyr, trampling upon all idolatry and God-pleasing charm.
Theotokos: Unartfully you gave birth, O Virgin, and after the Nativity you appeared, virgin again. Moreover, with silent voices, - Rejoice, Lady, - we cry to You with undoubted faith.
Song 5
Irmos: You, Lord, my Light, you came into the world, Holy Light, turning those who sing of You from darkness of ignorance to faith.
You were able to destroy the ferocity of the enemy, O most praised Pelagia, strengthened by the Lord’s cross and grace. [Twice.]
Now, having truly rejoiced, having been united to your Bridegroom, O Most Bright One, through torment, I will honor your virginity.
Theotokos: The Lord dwells in Ty, Mother of God, edifying man in the corruption of those who have fallen through the deception of the serpent.
Song 6.
Irmos: I will devour Thee with a voice of praise, Lord, the Church cries out to Thee, having been cleansed from the blood of demons, for the sake of mercy the blood flowed from Thy side.
Having rightfully become ignorant of Christ, you ended your torment and, calling on your Bridegroom, you were established in His quiet refuge. [Twice.]
A beautiful crown of truth has been woven around your crown, O godly Pelagia, crowned martyr, for you have kept the faith immaculately even to the end.
Theotokos: The stern serpent poured out poison first into Eve’s ears; You alone shook off this, O Mother of God, who gave birth to that Destroyer.
Holy Kontakion, voice 3.
Temporarily despised and heavenly blessings, the former participant, the crown of suffering for the sake of receiving, the all-honorable Pelagia, as if you brought a gift of blood streams to the Master Christ. Pray to deliver us from troubles, who honor your memory.
Song 7.
Irmos: In the cave of Abraham, the youths of the Persians, with love of piety rather than with flame, scorched, crying: blessed art thou in the temple of thy glory, O Lord.
In a cave image, hidden, martyr, organ, divinely inflamed by the love of Christ, patient, you cried: blessed are you in the temple of Your glory, Lord. [Twice.]
Clothe the sky and clouds, O glorious martyr, I will lay bare the essence of the divine garment, enlighten thee who sings: Blessed art thou in the temple of Thy glory, O Lord.
Theotokos: Most sanctified divine village, rejoice, for you have given joy, O Theotokos, to those who call: blessed art thou among women, O All-Immaculate Lady.
Song 8.
Irmos: He stretched out his hand, Daniel, the gaping lion in the den; Having quenched the fiery power, girded with virtue, zealots of piety, youths, crying: bless, all the works of the Lord, the Lord.
Like a martyr, like a true true Christ, you who are highly praised, You have blessed this power, teaching everyone with Godly wisdom, and you have attracted people to piety, singing: Bless, all the works of the Lord day, Lord. [Twice.]
Having been ignorant of Christ, the tormentor’s aspirations, you extinguished all, oozing wisdom from the abyss, O all-honorable Pelagia, and crowned the three, the martyr, you adorned yourself, singing: bless, all the works of God today, Lord.
Theotokos: From the Father Without Beginning, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we confess, faithfully, from You, All-Immaculate, that the Self-Significant, Only-Begotten Word was incarnate, to the Father and the Divine Spirit, and we cry: bless Well, all the works are of the Lord, the Lord.
Song 9.
Irmos: The uncut stone from the uncut mountain, to you, Virgin, the cornerstone was cut off - Christ, the aggregator of the dispersed nature. Thus, having fun, we magnify You, Mother of God.
The word uttered cannot express your praises, Pelagie, for the abyss of miracles exudes your Bridegroom with power and grace, whom you now pray to save everyone, singing you.
Having stood at the trial, bride, Crowned Pelagia, you were granted an extreme desire, the martyr, to appear and receive food of eternal pleasure.
Beg the peace of your Bridegroom, the God-wise Martyr Pelagia, to save the Church from misfortunes and illumine those who sing with grace.
Theotokos: Thou didst appear, the Virgin and Mother, more than nature, to the Mother of God, the Word, conceived by the Father, having begotten this incarnate, by whom we are now saved, We magnify Thee, the Mother of God.
