Old style date: April 25th. On this day, the memory of Mark - one of the seventy apostles, faithful companion of Saints Paul and Barnabas, is celebrated. In folklore, Mark was called the Keeper of the Keys, because it was believed that this saint holds the keys that can unlock the heavens and release the rains. Therefore, on this day, people prayed to avoid drought. There were special incantations to invoke rain. For example, one such incantation was: "Rain, rain! On grandma's rye, on grandpa's wheat, on the maiden's flax - pour by the bucket!" Predictions about the future were made based on the rainfall. It was said: "If three good rains fall in May, then there will be bread for three full years." At the same time, a clear day on Mark's promised a good harvest of spring grains. There was a playful saying about clear weather at this time: "On Mark's the sky is bright: it's hot inside for the women." Mark the Keeper of the Keys' Day was also called the bird's holiday. During this time, birds returned in flocks to their native places. Peasants would go out to the hemp fields in the morning and watch: if birds flew over them, the harvest of this plant would be good. In such a case, they would scatter hemp seeds in the yard - for domestic and wild birds. Also, on this day, people went to catch siskins. This day was associated with certain field crops. It was said: "On Saint Mark's, buckwheat is sown." Name days on this date Vasiliy, Mark, Sergey