Feast Day of Faith, Hope, and Love and their Mother Sophia: Legend of the Martyrs, Traditions, Omens, and Prohibitions.

Every year on September 17th, the Memorial Day of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love, and their mother Sophia is celebrated. This day is also the Name Day for women named Faith, Love, Hope, and Sophia. On this day, people usually give gifts and treats. The birthday girls go to church and pray for health, well-being, and love.

Legend of the Martyrs

The basis of the legend is the story of the mother Sophia and her three daughters: Faith, Hope, and Love. Their names were chosen with the aim of nurturing qualities in the girls that symbolize light. All four women lived in Rome during the persecution of Christians. King Adrian offered them a pardon if they would renounce their faith, but they refused. The daughters were tortured to death in front of their mother, who died grieving for them. The church proclaimed them holy martyrs, and they became popular names among Christians.

Traditions and Customs

The main tradition of this holiday is loud women's weeping early in the morning. It is considered protection against misfortune and troubles. On this day, married women place two candles near the icon of Jesus Christ in the church and another one at night in the ceremonial bread, and also read words of peace 40 times. The ceremonial bread is then divided among all family members. In church, people pray near the icon of the three great martyrs and ask for faith, strength, health, love, and well-being. Traditionally, this holiday is celebrated within the family, with special attention to the girls.

Omens on the Feast Day of Faith, Hope, and Love:

• September 17th is considered a dangerous and unlucky day.
• Weddings, engagements, and betrothals are not held on this day - it's a bad omen.
• Avoid doing household chores today.
• According to popular beliefs, this day is usually cold and rainy.
• After this holiday, the first frosts will come.
• If cranes fly away on this day, there will be frost on the Protection of the Theotokos; if not, winter will come later.
• If it rains on this day, spring will be early.

Folk Proverbs

• Faith, Hope, Love, and their mother Sophia - comfort to the heart and hope to the soul.
• Faith, Hope, and Love can do anything.
• Where there is Faith, there is Hope, and where there is Hope, there is Love.

Prohibitions

According to folk tradition, on this day you cannot hold weddings, get married, work hard for women, work in the garden or vegetable garden, speak hurtful words to women, engage in handicrafts. Also, it is not advisable to argue, quarrel, and envy others' happiness. Women should also avoid doing household chores on this day.