Old style date: May 3. Young spouses Timofey and Mavra, whose memory is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on this day, lived at the end of the 3rd century and were subjected to monstrous tortures and crucified for their faith in Christ. The newlyweds lived together for only 20 days. In the Russian folk calendar, Mavra acquired several nicknames. The most famous, the Seeder, speaks for itself. On this day, housewives would plant cabbage seedlings in the beds and sow vegetable seeds. Sometimes the fresh plantings were sprinkled with holy water to protect the plants from caterpillars and aphids. Other beliefs were also observed. For example, it was not customary to plant cabbage on a Thursday, even if it fell on Mavra the Seeder's day; it was believed that the cabbage would be infested with worms. When transplanting plants, women did not eat bread to prevent chickens from pecking at the new shoots. Mavra's day was called Green Soup because in mid-May, people began to cook soup not from pickled cabbage (as the reserves would be depleted by then), but from fresh greens – sorrel, orach, nettles. It was customary to say, "Look for nettles in the green soup." This herb was popular for a reason; in spring, it contains many useful substances needed after the long winter. Mavra was also called the Milker. It was believed that on this day, cows, having eaten fresh and juicy grass, would produce the most delicious and creamy milk. "And it's easy for the housewife when there is milk on the table," – this proverb was remembered on Mavra’s day. Signs were observed. Heavy dew and a clear day foretold a good cucumber harvest. On the other hand, the absence of dew in the morning promised rain during the day. Names celebrated on this day include: Vicentius, Nicholas, Paul, Peter, Timothy, Uliana, Theodosius.