Saint Ephrem, a renowned ascetic and monk, is celebrated for his pious life, prayer, fasting, and spiritual writings. His hymns and poems, filled with profound spiritual insights, have become an integral part of Christian worship and have been translated into many languages, ensuring that his legacy endures to this day.
On this day, certain activities are traditionally avoided in Ukrainian culture:
Cleaning the house is considered inappropriate.
Gossiping or using foul language is frowned upon.
Household chores should not be performed, as such activities are deemed unsuitable for a day dedicated to spiritual contemplation and remembrance.
This day is also rich in folk traditions and weather-related signs:
If the forest appears dark, it indicates that a thaw is imminent.
Birds flying low predict a significant drop in temperature.
A strong wind on January 28 is believed to foreshadow a cold and rainy summer.
If the sky darkens, a warming trend is expected soon.
An old custom suggests leaving food on the table overnight for the domovoy, a protective spirit of the home, who is thought to guard against negativity and ensure prosperity.
The weather in major cities of Ukraine on January 28 is expected to be mild:
Kiev: cloudy, daytime temperature +7 °C, nighttime +3 °C.
Lviv: cloudy, daytime temperature +14 °C, nighttime +6 °C.
Kharkiv: cloudy, daytime +6 °C, nighttime +2 °C.
Odessa: cloudy, daytime +9 °C, nighttime +5 °C.